TTMA training for a half marathon

[coffeecake]

Is it even an achievable goal for someone who is not a strong runner? I used to run 5ks here and there, but I was never fast or good at it. But it has been years since I’ve done even that much running. I started working out at Christmas and doing strength training with light weights. I have actually stuck with it and like it much more than I ever thought I would. Honestly, when I decided to try it I never thought I would still be consistently doing it months later and I am actually pretty proud of myself.

I am turning 45 at the end of this year and I am considering signing up for a half that would be next spring. I am honestly in disbelief I will be that age and it sort of makes me want to cry. So I would love to have this goal to work towards, but I’m scared. I am terrified of putting myself out there and failing. My goal would be to finish, running the majority of the way. Have any other non-runners done it? I know there are training plans out there, which I would definitely need.

[caer]

You can definitely, 1000% do it! I started running in 2012 in my 30s after being the kid who hid in the back of gym class, never ran a step in my life, hated all things related to exercise. I’ve done 15 or so half marathons, 1 full, a Spartan and countless shorter races since then. I promise you it can be accomplished.

I love Hal Higdon’s plans. You can find them on the internet for free. They have beginner versions that will gently ramp up your mileage. It’s also worth visiting a shoe store to get your feet/gait analyzed and find a good pair of shoes.

Good luck and have fun! I love half marathons, they are a tough but manageable goal.

ETA: Also, I’m slow AF but that’s the great thing about running. You’re only competing against yourself and your own goals.

[coffeecake]

Apr 30, 2024 17:07:43 GMT -6 caer said:

You can definitely, 1000% do it! I started running in 2012 in my 30s after being the kid who hid in the back of gym class, never ran a step in my life, hated all things related to exercise. I’ve done 15 or so half marathons, 1 full, a Spartan and countless shorter races since then. I promise you it can be accomplished.

I love Hal Higdon’s plans. You can find them on the internet for free. They have beginner versions that will gently ramp up your mileage. It’s also worth visiting a shoe store to get your feet/gait analyzed and find a good pair of shoes.

Good luck and have fun! I love half marathons, they are a tough but manageable goal.

ETA: Also, I’m slow AF but that’s the great thing about running. You’re only competing against yourself and your own goals.

Congrats on all of your accomplishments, that is amazing! And this gives me hope that maybe I could do it. I truly don’t care if it’s the only half or race I ever do again, I just would like to say I did it once. I will look up those training plans, thanks you!

[mathrun]

Yes to all that she ^^said, especially the part about getting fitted for good shoes. So important. And replace them every 300 or so miles.

Also make the light days truly light so that the intense days can be intense. And listen to your body. It’s seriously OK to head in early one day if you aren’t feeling it. That won’t make or break your overall training.

And if you don’t already, start watching the women’s distance races on Diamond League track. (They’re available on replay on Peacock.) They are crazy fast, but so inspiring too.

[beepers]

You can DEFINITELY do it!!

I don’t consider myself a runner (I know but I’m working on it) but last year I decided I wanted to do a triathlon. Not the same as a half-marathon but similar with the going from returning to exercise and setting a race goal.

I ended up doing 2 sprint triathlons last summer and was so proud of myself!!

Again I’m not an expert but I know there’s lots of plans available. The fitness person/plan I follow (not for tri’s but for lifting and running) definitely recommends building in extra time for your training plan because 100% things will come up and you will need to take a day or two off at least. So like if you do a 12 week plan then start 13 weeks out.

[GhoatMonket]

Apr 30, 2024 17:31:40 GMT -6 beepers said:

You can DEFINITELY do it!!

I don’t consider myself a runner (I know but I’m working on it) but last year I decided I wanted to do a triathlon. Not the same as a half-marathon but similar with the going from returning to exercise and setting a race goal.

I ended up doing 2 sprint triathlons last summer and was so proud of myself!!

Again I’m not an expert but I know there’s lots of plans available. The fitness person/plan I follow (not for tri’s but for lifting and running) definitely recommends building in extra time for your training plan because 100% things will come up and you will need to take a day or two off at least. So like if you do a 12 week plan then start 13 weeks out.

Or know that life happens and sometimes you won't get in every single workout.

Don't lose sight of progress in search of perfection.

[coconutbacon]

Yes! You can absolutely do it! Half marathons are my favorite distance. It feels like a serious distance, but the training doesn’t take over your life and when you finish you’re not completely wrecked. Consider looking up if there are any local run clubs near you. Don’t be intimidated— so many are for all levels. It can be nice to have some training buddies, even if it’s just for one run a week. It can help to motivate too.

And thirding the getting fitted for shoes rec. it makes such a difference.

[flippinchica]

I am not a runner but I did a half marathon. I had this grand training plan and didn't do great following it. I think my longest training run was like 6.5 miles. I still managed to finish well before the time cut off.
I was plenty sore the next day though.

[joy]

Yes, you absolutely can do it.

I trained for a ten miler on no experience. I did Couch to 5K then Bridge to 10K. I modified Bridge to 10 K and ultimately landed in running 5 min/walking 1 min for the entire race. Finished no problem!

I would love to run again but the intensity gave me migraines. Now I do Pilates.

[joy]

If you are worried that you run “slow” and will be last, let it go. You will not be last.

I was terrified of being last in my ten miler. I was nowhere near last.

[coffeecake]

Apr 30, 2024 18:14:38 GMT -6 joy said:

If you are worried that you run “slow” and will be last, let it go. You will not be last.

I was terrified of being last in my ten miler. I was nowhere near last.

I am absolutely scared of being last, lol! I know I would be slow and I can live with that, but I am so worried I would be last.

[Dr. Cox]

You can do it! I’ve been running for a while and the main thing I’d say is don’t stress about speed or rush yourself. Find your stride and balance, and good running shoes that work for your feet. Take your time and listen to your body. I did not do this and am typing this while icing a sprained knee lol.

You got this!

[cnf]

Girl, yes!

What everyone else said. I'll also second Hal Higdon plans if you need something tried, true, and free.

Post all of your training chir chat over in the motivation thread with us too, once you sign up, because you will. Lots of us training for races, and other types of competitions!

[jorkzy]

Yes you can. 100%.

I also turn 45 soon, am not particularly athletically inclined, and recently completed my first half. Was it fast, no. But your feet are taking you 13.1 miles whether it takes you 1.5 hours or 3 hours (or more).

It sounds like you’re on a great path for training. I’d suggest one long run a week at a slow pace (like you can have a conversation), slowly building up mileage weekly, one shorter run where you work on speed, and one working on hills. Strength train 1-2 x per week.

You got this!

[jorkzy]

Also yes to getting fitted for shoes, and joining a run club.

[gymngemini]

I started running as an adult and really love it, even at my slow pace lol. Nike Run Club is a free app that has training plans. They also have guided runs and I have found them very helpful to my running. You may find it helpful as well!

[sterling]

Apr 30, 2024 17:43:28 GMT -6 flippinchica said:

I am not a runner but I did a half marathon. I had this grand training plan and didn't do great following it. I think my longest training run was like 6.5 miles. I still managed to finish well before the time cut off.
I was plenty sore the next day though.

If you ran a half marathon you are indeed a runner. 😊

[callmekd]

You can do it! My H (46) ran his 1st Dopey race (48.6 miles over 4 days) at the age of 44.

[jaygee]

You can totally do it.

I ran my first half marathon with a 10 min running, 1 minute walking strategy and it worked out really well.

I haven’t run one in over ten years but my plan is to run one this fall. My cousin is in his late 50s and we like to run races together and he wants to do a half so I’m all in. I just turned 45 and have no worries about training and running it. This is why I exercise to be able to say yes to something like this.

[RunsforWineandCarbs]

You can so do this!
You don't have to run the entire thing, you can train for it as a run/walk.
You can do this, go for it!

[roselab]

So I think MOST people who set out with the goal to do so CAN do this, but I will share that unfortunately I fell into the category of people who set out to try running with only the goal of running a 5K, and found out I really can't. But I knew I had foot issues from many years ago (plantar fasciitis that had gotten better but never fully resolved) and suspected other issues, and it turned out I now (at 41) have pretty bad arthritis in my feet too. So even though I work out regularly (cross fit usually), any time I try to add running back into my routine, even with proper shoes and easing back into it with a training program, I injure myself to the point where it becomes impossible to continue. I've added hiking instead and accepted that my feet just can't handle the repetitive pounding of running unfortunately.

I don't mean to be a downer, because chances are, my experience will not be yours and you CAN do it, but if for some reason you find out you can't, hopefully you'll be prepared to give yourself grace!

[missmissy234]

You will only find out if you can by starting!

Definitely get fitted for shoes and try not to be caught off guard by the price of what good shoes will cost.

Also, yes road miles are very important so that your body can start to acclimate to all those miles, but to save your body from wear & tear during training try to incorporate low impact cardio. My first half, I only trained by running and I did OK, but when I incorporated cycling and/or strength training, I felt so much better during my second half.

[Rusty Red]

Absolutely worth a shot. All the previous suggestions are great and you have a solid support system here of runners as well.

[coffeecake]

May 1, 2024 5:51:04 GMT -6 roselab said:

So I think MOST people who set out with the goal to do so CAN do this, but I will share that unfortunately I fell into the category of people who set out to try running with only the goal of running a 5K, and found out I really can't. But I knew I had foot issues from many years ago (plantar fasciitis that had gotten better but never fully resolved) and suspected other issues, and it turned out I now (at 41) have pretty bad arthritis in my feet too. So even though I work out regularly (cross fit usually), any time I try to add running back into my routine, even with proper shoes and easing back into it with a training program, I injure myself to the point where it becomes impossible to continue. I've added hiking instead and accepted that my feet just can't handle the repetitive pounding of running unfortunately.

I don't mean to be a downer, because chances are, my experience will not be yours and you CAN do it, but if for some reason you find out you can't, hopefully you'll be prepared to give yourself grace!

You are not a downer! I appreciate a realistic look at what could happen. I definitely plan to try to ease back into running a bit before signing up and starting any kind of a training program. I am not a person who jumps into things, which is why I’m starting to think about this an entire year in advance, lol.

[coconutbacon]

Apr 30, 2024 20:04:48 GMT -6 gymngemini said:

I started running as an adult and really love it, even at my slow pace lol. Nike Run Club is a free app that has training plans. They also have guided runs and I have found them very helpful to my running. You may find it helpful as well!

I use NRC for all my race plans. I love having them in an app and being able to move around the days as needed. I also like that I can load my own music for the guided runs and just have a coach’s voice come over it periodically. I used to rec NRC on the motivation thread so much that folks thought I was working for them. 😂

[Bookshelves]

Apr 30, 2024 17:41:09 GMT -6 GhoatMonket said:

Apr 30, 2024 17:31:40 GMT -6 beepers said:

You can DEFINITELY do it!!

I don’t consider myself a runner (I know but I’m working on it) but last year I decided I wanted to do a triathlon. Not the same as a half-marathon but similar with the going from returning to exercise and setting a race goal.

I ended up doing 2 sprint triathlons last summer and was so proud of myself!!

Again I’m not an expert but I know there’s lots of plans available. The fitness person/plan I follow (not for tri’s but for lifting and running) definitely recommends building in extra time for your training plan because 100% things will come up and you will need to take a day or two off at least. So like if you do a 12 week plan then start 13 weeks out.

Or know that life happens and sometimes you won't get in every single workout.

Don't lose sight of progress in search of perfection.

Almost every teacher, coach, or boss that I’ve had has told me that, and still, I need it tattooed on me.

[GhoatMonket]

May 1, 2024 7:53:38 GMT -6 Bookshelves said:

Apr 30, 2024 17:41:09 GMT -6 GhoatMonket said:

Or know that life happens and sometimes you won't get in every single workout.

Don't lose sight of progress in search of perfection.

Almost every teacher, coach, or boss that I’ve had has told me that, and still, I need it tattooed on me.

Oh I will say it all day long. 

Now applying it to myself....................I have gotten better. Like I will miss probably 2 workouts this weekend. I am 10 weeks out from nationals, which means I only get to do these 10 more times before the meet. Missing 10% feels like a lot. But it will be fine. 

[Bookshelves]

I’m sure it’s been suggested, but as a sporadic (5K-ish) runner, now in my 40s, stretching before and after has become more important than ever. Don’t neglect it! I like the guided 5- to 10-minute stretches on the Peloton app, but if I don’t want to bother with that, I try to at least run through a mental checklist in my head of my potential problem areas. (For me: feet, ankles, hamstrings, hips, etc)

[coldcoffee]

I did my first (only) half about a year and a half ago. Prior to that I had only done 5ks with the occasional at home 5 miles, just to see if I could.
I browsed the web and found a training plan for the timeframe I was working with (I think 16 weeks) and went from there.
Also helpful was my SIL signed up for the same race so I had someone to keep me accountable/motivated.
Good luck!!

[coldcoffee]

May 1, 2024 7:58:26 GMT -6 Bookshelves said:

I’m sure it’s been suggested, but as a sporadic (5K-ish) runner, now in my 40s, stretching before and after has become more important than ever. Don’t neglect it! I like the guided 5- to 10-minute stretches on the Peloton app, but if I don’t want to bother with that, I try to at least run through a mental checklist in my head of my potential problem areas. (For me: feet, ankles, hamstrings, hips, etc)

And yes to this. Stretching helped SO much.