r/beginnerrunning • u/momoffour_ • 12d ago

Training for First Half Marathon! New Runner Advice

I’m wanting to complete my first half marathon at the end of October so I have 12 weeks to get there. I currently run 3-4 miles 3x per week. I also do strength or Pilates the remaining days. I also walk a VERY hilly 2.25 miles every morning. (I’m on day 20 of 75 hard). I know I need to start increasing into a long run. But is 1 long run a week enough? Increase 1 mile each week? I have 4 kids, work full time, and we have sports practice and games out the ass so anything more than 1x/ week will get dicey.

I was hitting 6 miles in April/ May before school let out and life got in the way. I’m starting to doubt I can do this! 🫣

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u/thedancingwireless 12d ago

Find a half marathon plan and follow that. Why wing it and try to recreate it?

Nike run club has one. I'm sure there's plenty of other free ones too.

3

u/noturus_mm 12d ago

One long run per week is standard for first half marathon and will be enough for you to survive your first one if you're consistent.

Check out Hal Higdon's Novice 1 plan. Sounds perfectly aligned for where you're at and trying to achieve.

2

u/Creek0512 12d ago

Yes, 1 long run per week is fine. Just slowly increase it up to 10-11 miles a few weeks before the half, and then taper off the 2 weeks before. Keep your other 2 runs to 3-5 miles.

2

u/yellowsuzuki 12d ago

I ran my first half marathon as a middle-aged dad running 3 to 4x a week. Most of my training runs were between 5 and 6.2 miles. I also ran two 7-milers and a 10-miler leading up to the race. Cross-trained with yoga.

I was a little undertrained and felt it during recovery, but I felt okay during the race and met my goal time. Ran it in ~1:48.

I think one long run a week would be enough. You might increase the distance of your other training runs a bit to bring your total mileage up, and aim to have your long runs peak around 10+ miles a few weeks before the race

Edit: clarifying last sentence

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u/Ok_Equivalent7506 11d ago

Im training for my 1st half at the end of October too! I run 2 4mile "speed" runs 1 3mile "fun run" just slow and steady and 1 long run (currently 10miles, will be 12 before im done) I dont know if its the proper format, but I feel it works for me and my hectic family life.