A half marathon is next in line for some runners who have already participated in many fun runs. It is always natural for aspiring athletes to step up the game. But how do you choose which programs to take during a transition like this? There are many half marathon training programs to choose from. Here are some factors to consider.
The first aspect to consider is where you are starting from. If you can already do a 10km race and are running at least three times a week, then you have a good base to build up from. If you have never tested yourself on a shorter race such as the 5 or 10km, it might be a good idea to do one of those first unless you have been training at the longer distance for a while. Also, taking the time to build up gradually to doing more sessions a week is a much better method than jumping straight from the couch to 5 times a week. That is just asking for injury.
It is much better to build up slowly and let your body accustom itself to the distances than trying to power it out over just a few weeks. Twelve weeks is a good training period for working towards a half marathon if you can already do10km quite comfortably.
A basic program should have a minimum of 3 training sessions per week, but preferably 4-5. If you have been running for a while, you always pick a more intensive program. However, there are some basic types of sessions all programs should include.
At least once a week, you should do interval training. Interval training involves running at faster than race pace for a short period of time and then recovering in between with light jogging or walking. The alternating between high intensity training and recovery helps develop your overall speed and strengthen your muscles.
The second session will help you maintain your technique when you become tired. Also, it trains your body to convert energy over longer periods of time. To achieve this, do some 10-12kms of easy runs. The pace should be slower than your pace in a race. If possible try to do two or three of these a week.
The final session should be one long run working up from 12km to 18kms. This can be a great Saturday or Sunday morning activity. It should be a comfortable pace and you should try to extend the distance a little bit further each time. If you have a specific time in mind that you want to complete the race in, try to jog for at least that time. You won't end up doing the same distance as you will be going slower, but at least you will be used to running for that long.
Remember that recovery is an important aspect of the training program. In between sessions it is necessary to get plenty of rest so your body can adapt. If you are keeping your heart rate in the aerobic zone and not relying on anaerobic energy production, then you won't need as much recovery and can do them on consecutive days. However, when working in rest days, the best times would be after the interval training and then after your long run if you are having two days off. The interval training sessions should be well into your anaerobic zone, and will be damaging the muscles in order for them to build up stronger. This means that more recovery is required so your body can heal and process. You will perform much better for allowing it to do so.
Nutrition is the final aspect to consider in your program. When you are a competitive runner, it is a great advantage if you lose some excess weight. But keep your energy levels up. So if you are putting in all this effort to get up and train, it is worth making the most of it by feeding your body plenty of nutritious food to give it energy, but try laying off some of the junk food so it doesn't have to lug around more weight than necessary. Keep things in perspective and be sensible.
Give yourself the best possible start and plan your training well.
The first aspect to consider is where you are starting from. If you can already do a 10km race and are running at least three times a week, then you have a good base to build up from. If you have never tested yourself on a shorter race such as the 5 or 10km, it might be a good idea to do one of those first unless you have been training at the longer distance for a while. Also, taking the time to build up gradually to doing more sessions a week is a much better method than jumping straight from the couch to 5 times a week. That is just asking for injury.
It is much better to build up slowly and let your body accustom itself to the distances than trying to power it out over just a few weeks. Twelve weeks is a good training period for working towards a half marathon if you can already do10km quite comfortably.
A basic program should have a minimum of 3 training sessions per week, but preferably 4-5. If you have been running for a while, you always pick a more intensive program. However, there are some basic types of sessions all programs should include.
At least once a week, you should do interval training. Interval training involves running at faster than race pace for a short period of time and then recovering in between with light jogging or walking. The alternating between high intensity training and recovery helps develop your overall speed and strengthen your muscles.
The second session will help you maintain your technique when you become tired. Also, it trains your body to convert energy over longer periods of time. To achieve this, do some 10-12kms of easy runs. The pace should be slower than your pace in a race. If possible try to do two or three of these a week.
The final session should be one long run working up from 12km to 18kms. This can be a great Saturday or Sunday morning activity. It should be a comfortable pace and you should try to extend the distance a little bit further each time. If you have a specific time in mind that you want to complete the race in, try to jog for at least that time. You won't end up doing the same distance as you will be going slower, but at least you will be used to running for that long.
Remember that recovery is an important aspect of the training program. In between sessions it is necessary to get plenty of rest so your body can adapt. If you are keeping your heart rate in the aerobic zone and not relying on anaerobic energy production, then you won't need as much recovery and can do them on consecutive days. However, when working in rest days, the best times would be after the interval training and then after your long run if you are having two days off. The interval training sessions should be well into your anaerobic zone, and will be damaging the muscles in order for them to build up stronger. This means that more recovery is required so your body can heal and process. You will perform much better for allowing it to do so.
Nutrition is the final aspect to consider in your program. When you are a competitive runner, it is a great advantage if you lose some excess weight. But keep your energy levels up. So if you are putting in all this effort to get up and train, it is worth making the most of it by feeding your body plenty of nutritious food to give it energy, but try laying off some of the junk food so it doesn't have to lug around more weight than necessary. Keep things in perspective and be sensible.
Give yourself the best possible start and plan your training well.
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Learn more about training for your first half marathon, check out www.personalfitnessbasecamp.com.
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