When to start training for a half marathon?

I would slowly start upping your mileage now.

You're kidding about the walk breaks, right? Why Galloway? Check out mcmillanrunning.com

Start now. Just start doing progressively longer runs on the weekends when you're not racing. Use the 5K races to replace "tempo" runs and run longer on wednesdays on the weeks when you race.

YOu shouldnt need to take many (if any) walk breaks on a half, you could probably get away with 6-8 weeks of training as long as you build your long runs by week.

Slowly build up your mileage till 12 weeks out, then follow one of the Novice/Beginning Programs like the one from Hal Higdon. My Dad, age 70, followed this program, and finished his first 1/2 w/o walking.

To be gentle, you're going to get slammed on this board after even mentioning Jeff Galloway and "walking breaks". Everyone at this site was/claims to be a State Champ or better, so ignore any of the negative bulls***.

I would start slowly, June is a long way off, but stay consistent. Build up your mileage gradually, about 5% a week. If you are a complete novice, starting from scratch, I wouldn't go any higher than 45/50 a week for your 1st 1/2. You will be plesantly surprised as to how your fitness comes around if you stick with it.

Good luck, and keep posting

Why not do a 10k in March or so? You'll build confidence for the longer distances. Don't skip ahead unless running a half marathon is some sort of special goal.

How far is the marathon that you will be running half of?

There is so much information and MISinformation out there that his advice seemed okay. Do you suggest not using him? Does the running community believe that he is full of beans? I started my running program in March after reading an article in Prevention. "How to run a 5K in 12 weeks" I followed the program, lost 55lbs, and fell in love with running. Because he incorporates walking, I thought that I could avoid injury, which I have been able to do thus far. I guess that I will look at some other training schedules to see what they have to offer. Thanks for all of the helpful advice!

I am going to do a 10K on May 5th and the 1/2 is on June 6th. I think that will give me enough of a break to recover and continue to train....am I right?

MarathonMind wrote:

Why not do a 10k in March or so? You'll build confidence for the longer distances. Don't skip ahead unless running a half marathon is some sort of special goal.

Beep Beep Beep Beep

Why do you want to do a half marathon? Just to finish it and say you've done the distance? Since you've been working up to the distance and have a desire to run races, it seems that running the whole way and doing the best that you can do would be more your goal than just finishing.

Almost everyone on here is going to tell you that Galloway's advice is "full of beans". But almost everyone on here wants to compete, not just finish. Since you're a beginning runner, competing for you doesn't mean that you have to be in the fastest group going for the win, but that you run to the best of your ability. Your dedication in training so far proves that your best is more than walking.

I suggest two things if you're able to- do a weekly group run with the local running club- there are runners of all abilities and you often find yourself running faster and longer with less effort because you don't have the entire burden of keeping the pace. Secondly, if you have access to a pool, use it for cross-training if running more is starting to stress your body. You won't get injured from a race if you're properly prepared, and walk breaks during a race won't save you from injury. As you're building up running mileage and lengthening your runs, the pool is a good way to get in exercise with low impace.

Have a nice day.