Mastering The Half Marathon

Can I run/walk a half-marathon?

Do I need to run more than 20km in training?

Do I need to run more than 20km in training?

Why should I do speedwork for a half-marathon?

What kind of speed sessions should I do for a half-marathon?

Can I train for a half-marathon on a three-days-a-week schedule?

Should I race shorter distances as I prepare for my half?

Yes, definitely, but you must make the three runs really count though, don’t just go out the door making it up or drifting along. With only three runs, the margins become slightly tighter and the runs must hit the spot:

• 1 x long run per week that builds gradually but reduces in time/length once every three or four weeks to allow recovery.
• 1 x race pace session per week that builds up, for example begin with four sets of five minutes and build this up in length and time over the weeks, perhaps reaching four sets of 10 minutes by the last few weeks of your plan.
• 1 x race-pace practice run, for example 10-15 minutes easy, 20-30 minutes at race pace, 10-15 minutes easy. This could start as a 30 minute run with 10 minutes in the middle at race pace, but could build to 60 with 30 in the middle, or more, by race time.

Find out how fuel up, taper and how often you can race half marathons by clicking next.