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Original poster

Half Marathon in April

56 replies

Istherehopee · 02/12/2025 16:11

Hello everyone, I've just signed up for a half marathon in April and am lready feeling nervous and second guessing myself.

I am by no means a runner - started running this year using couch to 5k in May but been quite hit and miss. Got into a good flow by August but have not run much since. Ran a 5k last week in 36 minutes.

Is this feasible?

I'd quite like to run it in 2 hours or less but I am not a fit person and I don't know, maybe this is all a bit ridiculous for me. Any advice/help would be much appreciated!

OP posts:
WeJustWantYouToBeHappy · 02/12/2025 17:29

I don’t think you should set a time goal for your first half, just build up your long run each week until it’s ten miles or a little over and do two shorter runs that incorporate a little speed play or hills.

Original poster
Istherehopee · 02/12/2025 17:25

Thank you! I did run 8k but that was back in September. It was my longest and only long run really.

OP posts:
PosiePerkinPootleFlump · 02/12/2025 16:31

It’s definitely doable to run the distance if you train. But I think 2 hours is optimistic for your first one with a relatively short base of training…. It would mean 4-and-a-bit back to back 28-minute 5Ks - which is significantly faster than you have run one.

why not just aim to complete it this time? Then you’ll have a PB, which will give you something to aim to beat next time!

Strollingby · 02/12/2025 16:27

I have done a couple. Am absolutely not a runner, my best 5km time running 3 times a week was just over 30 mins and half marathon time after following a running plan was 2.35.
It's completely possible to do it. There are calculators online to estimate your time based on shorter distances and I used them to manage my expectations.

Archymum · 02/12/2025 16:17

You can finish a HM in April but you need an actual training plan that you will stick to. You probably need to be running 3-4 days per week. 2 hours is a punchy time goal but it's absolutely doable if you commit to the training. To hit that time goal you will need to incorporate speed work (tempo runs or intervals or both) 1-2 times every week. Coopah and Runna both offer good apps for training for HM. Have fun!

TaupeRaven · 02/12/2025 16:14

Absolutely doable! I ran my first HM on Saturday (granted, it took me 2h 25m!) after only progressing from 5k to longer distances in September.

My 5k time is ~30mins but I find the longer distances much harder going, as you might expect, so I'm pretty slow. The distance is definitely doable, and you have loads of time to build the miles and do some hills and speedwork to help reach your goal pace too. Good luck!