Started out with Hal Higdon plans for my first couple half’s and it was okay. If you’re wanting to actually improve your times though, you’ll need something else. Personally, I create my own plan loosely based on several other formats. I’m no speed demon, but the times are certainly getting better.
The longest run is 14 miles for marathon training? I like the idea and can see the benefit if you don't have time to do long runs, but like Hals, wouldn't you be pretty undertrained for the late game of the marathon?
People swear by that part, BUT, I always modify the plan a little to fit my schedule and I do prefer to fit in some 16-20 mile long runs. I like the format of the speed work, strength workouts, and tempo runs. Here's my 2018 training log if you want to see how I modified it:
Switching to the treadmill fucked me all up this year (my own fault for holding the side rails), giving me piriformis syndrome. To make things worse the piriformis pushed on my pudendal and sciatic nerve causing all kinds of issues. Slowing starting to work light jogging back into my outdoors runs…. It’s like starting the fuck over really
You are fast, my speedwork on a good day is your tempo lol. No cross training? Thanks for the plan, that's a super helpful layout!
That was 3 years ago, not that fast any more. 2019-2021 was bleh as far as running goes for me. Ran a "tempo" run this morning, didn't even know what my target pace should be so I just said "in the 8's" lol. Hate those early morning runs it feels like it takes me so long to warm up. 2nd half of my run was better this morning.
I plugged everything (past and present) into a format close to what you shared. Now I am realizing how far behind I am. I think I'll be fine. Sub 2 hour goal still seems in reach. I'm also doing a bit of cross training because I plan on doing some triathlons this year and want to keep that momentum going.
Looks good! Only thing I'm not a fan of is doing Long, Tempo, and Speed so close together. 3 hard "something of substance" runs in a 4 day span. HMM wants some easy miles in between each of those or a rest day. So you do have the Mon/Tue peloton cross-train... is that a hard workout, like on the level of a speed workout? Not familiar. I'd like to see the Tempo runs gradually increase from 3 to 6 miles or so. Just my 2cents.
Thanks for the feedback. The peloton ride is good cardio but it's also helps with DOMS from running by flushing out the lactic acid. And if I'm not feeling it on tempo days I could audible to easy/recovery pace. I just need to find the miles. I might move some of the long runs to Saturday. The Thursday run is super slow 12 min miles running with my 9 and 6 year olds
2022 races on the schedule: March 19 - Tomoka Half Marathon - https://www.tomokamarathon.com/Race/FL/OrmondBeach/TomokaMarathon October 9 - Humboldt Redwoods Half Marathon - http://www.redwoodsmarathon.org/ what ya'll got goin?
Ran a half in my hometown this morning. Got another Feb 20th. Then scheduled for the Charlotte full in the Fall. That’s it so far.
Found my new place for weekly speed workout. FAU's track. Hit it before 7AM, first one there. The fast college kids show up and I just move a few lanes to the outside. It was nice, definitely appreciated a track when running 400/800 etc intervals.
Kinda jealous... I do the middle school track and I have to be off before school starts. So I run Wednesdays at 530am.
I built a speedwork calculator and put it on my clubs website. You put in your 5K time and it will tell you how fast you should try to do your speedwork for each distance on a track. It's been helping me a lot. https://atl.runsofarians.com/speedtraining
I've long needed to work running back into my workout routine, went for ~2.5 miles today and all those little neglected muscles were screaming at me by the end, felt great though
I ran a 5k last night in 30 min. It was on a treadmill with no incline and I was dragging ass at the end but still - I don’t think I’ve ever run for 3+ miles straight. I’ve been doing the treadmill for a couple months now and am actually starting to enjoy running, which I did not think was possible. Looking forward to continuing to improve.
Getting over the torture/enjoyment hump is one of the hardest parts... Once you do, stay in shape, because it goes back to miserable quick lol
The weird part is when you get to the point that the first 2 miles are miserable but after that you can run for hours comfortably.
Ran for the first time since NYD. Weather getting back to prime for the time of day that I run. Also, my right shoulder’s fucked so this exercise is all I can do for physical activity, found even the stationary bike requires an arm position that irritates it. Doctor on Friday. Running in the meantime and probably foreseeable, which is cool, my diet has been ass so I’ve added weight that I can cut with the running.
Been doing 30 minute 5k's 5-6 mornings a week for the last year now. I need to cut back on my crap eating, but I've lost and kept off about 30 pounds this whole time. Could lose another 10-12, but it's nice to not get winded going up a couple flights of stairs at 53 years old. I have a friend who does half marathons a few times a year, he wants me to train for one and run it with him. I have no desire, to be honest. He's not competitive, just likes to finish...
I miss running. Just walk and Peloton now for my cardio. Need to get back to it. Not having something to train for has kept me from getting out there. Getting hit or almost getting hit every time I rode/ran also took the fun out of it lol
The whole reason I run is to eat like crap. If I had any diet willpower whatsoever I would shed another 15lbs in a snap. Running my half next week and looking to break 2 hours! My training runs put me at about 2:03, so I think with race adrenaline I can do it
In Orlando for the weekend. Ran about about 7 miles the other day trying to find a nice route and found Dr. Phillips High School which has a nice looking track. Will try to get there tomorrow, no idea if I'll be able to get on it. Other than that it's just concrete and running next to heavy honking traffic all morning. Not very pleasant.
Did not see any I could run to. Didn’t want to drive. Ran the ~3 miles to the high school but the track was all locked up. Found a nice path down Wallace Road… mostly shaded, some little uphill/downhill action, nice area. Made for a decent route for an interval workout. Also I’m now a big fan of a 3 mile warmup if I can make the time.
Running the Skyway 10K in St. Pete in 2 weeks. It's my first race over a 5k since running the Marine Corp Marathon in 2017. Kinda nervous since I've been battling chronic knee issues the last couple years and had a really bad sciatica flair up over the summer. Knees have been holding up fine on my 3-5 mile runs, but will be sore the next day. Same with the sciatica.
Super bummed, My back has been giving me issues the last few weeks (tinging in my legs when I bend my neck) it gets worse when I sit or run. Gonna have to take some time off, and maybe get an MRI if it doesn't get better. Sucks, I was ready for my half this weekend, but not worth the risk.
Tomoka half marathon today in Ormond Beach, FL. Shady course. Up and over a big bridge twice. Too hot and humid today unfortunately. Can’t imagine the folks running the 26.2. 1:56 finish. ok with that, but need to run more to get faster.
Does LA not have a cap on participants? An average well over 5 hours sounds miserable. My 4:15 marathon I wanted to be out of the sun an hour before finishing.
So I've been casually doing 5k 5,6,7 mornings a week on my treadmill for the last year. Never really wanted to do more distance, etc. Did a 10 mile hike over a hilly course this saturday with a 25 pound pack, and had some left in the tank when finished. We ended in 2:50, a 3.5mph pace. I'm now thinking about trying a half marathon... Any training tips?