Starting a Half Marathon Training Program

Dear Penguin

I purchased Marathoning for Mortals in order to prep for a 1/2 Marathon in January of 2011. I run 1.5 miles (and walk 2 more) 2x and week and do an hour of step aerobics 2x a week. Am I the idiot you’re talking about at the beginning of Chapter 5?

I don’t want to jump in the overtrain, but thought I was in good enough shape to get ready for a half marathon almost ten months away (and a 3 hour time is just fine for me). If trying to do it is stupid of me, please be frank and I’ll sign up for 2012 instead.

You are certainly NOT the idiot that we were talking about. It sounds to me like you are being very conservative in your approach.

When someone asks when they should start to train for their first marathon I suggest that they wait until they’ve been running consistently for a year. It takes the body that long to get used to the new stresses of training. The risk of injury is much lower if you built a solid mileage base.

Of course, I know that people jump off the couch and into a marathon training program. I just don’t think it’s a good idea.

Your case is very different. Preparing for a half marathon [which is my FAVORITE distance by the way] doesn’t require the same BIG mileage long runs. Most training programs, including Coach Jenny’s, don’t require anything longer than an 11 mile training run before the half marathon.

I’d suggest that you slowly increase your running time [using a run/walk strategy], that you try to run 4 days a week, and that you pick a day to do your SLOW, longer, run. That way you’ll get comfortable with the half marathon training structure.

At some point, start the training schedule. If you’ve got time you can repeat weeks.

You’ll do GREAT

Waddle on, John

John “the Penguin” Bingham, Competitor Magazine columnist Author, The Courage to Start, No Need for Speed, Marathoning for Mortals and Running for Mortals.

Have a question for John? E-mail it to thepenguin@johnbingham.com.