ARTICLES, TIPS, TRAINING & GENERAL ADVICE

The half marathon is becoming one of the most popular race distances  It’s a great challenge for beginning to advanced runners.  The distance requires strength and endurance, but isn’t as grueling and time consuming as the marathon.

Experienced runners like the half marathon because it can be a great test race leading up to a marathon.   The marathon takes time to train and time to recover.  Beginners can challenge themselves with a very doable distance.

The following programs will are designed to take you up to half-marathon level in 9 weeks. Click on the links below to determine which training plan is right for you.

• Beginning  You’ve run for at least a year, and are able to run 5 miles at a time. You average about 15 to 20 miles a week. You have finished a 5-K, maybe even a 10-K. Now you want to challenge yourself with a longer race. You are not quite ready for a marathon.
• Intermediate  You have a solid aerobic base. You have been running consistently for a few years. You average 20 to 30 miles a week, are familiar with speed work. You may have completed a half-marathon, but now you want to improve your time. You have a specific finishing time goal, and you’re willing to train hard to achieve it.
• Advanced  You’ve run and raced for many years. You’ve finished almost every distance from 5k to half marathon. You may have even run a marathon. Your average mileage is 35 plus, over the last 6 months. You are ready to challenge yourself with racing a half marathon. You are ready to increase the intensity of your speedwork. You are willing to train hard to acheive your goal.