Half Marathon training - beginner, but 6 months to go.

[Tiggsy]

Not run a 1/2 since I was 19 (20 years ago....and that killed me, although at the time I was into weights and heavier than I am now) Going to do it with my wife who sprinted at school but nothing since.

Right now we are reasonable shape in that I work out a fair bit and jog 2 miles (20 mins) as part of my general fitness.....could do 4/5 miles without starting to REALLY struggle.

Wife is (oddly) in good shape despite doing very little....so while she needs to learn to run further than the end of the drive, she doesnt need to drop any weight, etc.

My plan was get us both to the point where we are doing 3 miles, 3 times a week with ease at 9 min mile pace (we want to run sub 2hrs) Once we can do that I was thinking of starting a 16 wk programme in Nov (Reading half is in March) - Anyone done a decent beginners program or any tips?

For example - is it best to start at race pace and build the distance or sacrifice speed for miles then work on bring the pace up?

[goldblum]

To begin with work on your distance rather than your speed..aerobic endurance is needed first.

Loads of HM programs at Runnersworld etc..but this 12 week plan might suit: http://www.bupa.co.uk/running/training/training-pr...

[Tiggsy]

actually i saw the BUPA one but wondered what you do when it says to run for a "time" and not miles - do you run at race pace?

[goldblum]

Hi T,I think it's explained at the bottom,'Training Aims'.

Broadly speaking 'easy' means you can talk to a running partner easily,

'Tempo' is faster and a bit lower than race pace,still talk but not gabble!

[The jiffle king]

Can I point you at the running thread in the sports forum where there are lots of runners who can help?

Basically, start doing longer slow runs, ideally 1 per week working up to 11+ miles
every week to get faster do a tempo run (3-4 miles at a fast pace where you can run and answer questions with 1 word answers to give you an idea of the effort)
Every week do some speedwork to get faster e.g. 4x1200m

The running thread will help, you can also get schedules for free from the Runnersworld website

Joining a club will also help, they have people of all paces in and it´s good motivation and very socialable
all the best