An Easy Approach To Half Marathon Training

Happy Friday! I’m so glad this week is over. It’s been such a weird for me. With the Holiday and getting cancelled from work because of low census. It’s just been a different schedule for, one that I could easily get use to though! Anyway, with this extra time I’ve had this week I’ve been able to get some running in and good training for this half marathon coming up. My approach isn’t that different from those schedules that are out there, but I do find it much more easy going and relaxed. I mean have you ever looked at one of those half marathon training calendars? All I can say is #overwhelming!

I feel I have created an easy approach to training for a half marathon and that almost anyone can try, and succeed from. The key is to starting early enough to build up your mileage. Now I don’t believe you have to run a full 13.1 miles before the race. I think you can easily get away with up to 9 or 10, those last few miles are so adrenaline heavy that you’ll be able to make it. Now you maybe wondering, am I even qualified to write this post…probably not. But, I’m a real person, I’m a mom, full-time ICU nurse, blogger and I have completed a couple of half marathons. Needless to say I’m just a busy as the rest of you and I’m still managing.

So You can do this. You can set your mind to it and accomplish it. So below are a few tips I follow every time I start gearing up and training for a half marathon.

An Easy Approach To Training For A Half Marathon

• Start slow. The key is to start where your comfortable. Have you ever run before? If not, then don’t think you can get out there and run a 3 miles right out of the gate. Now, you might actually be able to do this, but you certainly don’t want to. This is when injuries happen, you get really sore and unable to get out there for a few days. So know your limits and build up. For me, I have to master 5k (3.1 miles), this is what I run throughout the week. Then on Saturday I complete a long run. Each Saturday I add a mile onto my distance from the week before.
• Consistency. This is one of the most important parts. You can’t expect to run a day or two a week and feel ready to run 13.1 miles. Now not to say this isn’t possible, because I have done this. The last half I ran I only ran a few times before and still finished. This is rare, so plan a schedule that works for you. You don’t have to run everyday, this is actually not recommeneded so you you can have time for your body to recover. So whatever your schedule is stay commited to it.
• Find an accountability partner. This is so important. Whether it’s posting a photo to your social media account, text messaging a friend every time you run to finding a person or two to actually run with.
• Rememeber, it’s about mileage, not speed. This one is hard for me, but when I am just getting back into running I want to pick off where I left off. However, I remind myself that I’m for distance to build that endurance. Especially if you’re new to this whole running thing focus on getting to a distance, the speed will come later after you keep up with it.
• Build endurance quickly. This is an option if you start your training a little later than planned. You can use a treadmill for interval running. I love doing this. Typically I do this in 3-4 mile increments. I go a fast speed (7-7.5) for 1-2 minutes, jog at a 5 for 1 minute and do this back and forth until I reach my mile goal. I something mix up the times like 3-4 minutes at fast speed and 2-2.5 minutes at the jogging speed. Mix and match your intervals so you end up doing more time in fast intervals than slower.

I think this is about it, the basics I follow when training for a half marathon. Remember that it’s primarily a mind game you play with yourself to keep pushing and go further.

Do you run races, half marathons or marathons? I’d love to hear your tips and tricks for training and prepping for the big race. Comment below.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Get Out There and have a Gorgeous week

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