Calling all those training for a half marathon (esp Great North Run!). How important is cross training?!

[Rassy]

Am training for Great North Run and wondering how important is cross training? I'm trying to follow the Runners World ten week programme and it will be a struggle just to fit in a fourth run each week let alone some cross training - especially during the school holidays! Do you half marathon runners cross train and if yes, what do you do? I could swim (under duress!)

It's not important, if you can't fit it in you're better off doing the running you can. DH is a marathon runner and does his marathon training as 3 runs per week and does bloody well on that!

Doing 3-4 runs per week is plenty for a half, as the recovery is just as important as the training. Just build up your long run according to the schedule and you'll be fine. The GNR is a great run, though not one to pb on as there are so many people who all start in the wrong pens. Enjoy it!

Though it's probably best not to listen to me as I'm massively undertrained for my half on Sunday!

I just want to be able to get round in one piece! It is my first (and last!) half marathon.... Good luck on Sunday!

In which case enjoy yourself both in the training and the race, try to do the 3 to 4 runs a week you have planned and don't beat yourself up if you miss a run! I think my longest run before my first half was around 10 miles and that got me round fine, so you don't have to push too hard for distance.

The last mile of the GNR is fantastic, down by the sea with all the people out supporting. It's really rather emotional. It was my first half too!

I never cross train. Like you I would struggle to fit it in so stick to 4 runs a week.

I think 3 is the minimum, 4 has done me pretty good. I've done a marathon on 4 runs a week and plan to do another on the same.

If in had the time I would cycle and swim as well but I've not.

Good luck with the half marathon, I'd love to do the GNR.

Thanks for all the advice

Just coming back post run to offer a little more advice. Do you do core work? If you can fit in some sit ups/planks after your runs (just a few minutes will do) you might not sit in fear of running/coughing in the days after your race. My abs hurt a lot today!

I'm doing the GNR in september and I'm doing quite a lot of cross-training (cycling, circuit training and strength/weight training) simply because this was stuff I was doing before so I carried on and 'added' the running in.

I am a bit worried as currently I struggle to get 3 good runs in every week. Sometimes I manage (usually 2 shorter club runs and a distance run at the weekend). This week for instance DH has been at work this evening so I have missed the tuesday club run. I am then going on holiday on saturday so will miss all 3 runs next week. I will do a few myself but I struggle without the others from the club tbh and generally give up after about 4/5 miles.

So............distance wise up to 9 miles cross country at the moment (we live in a very hilly area). Thinking I need to do more speed work and maybe try getting up super early in the hols to fit a morning run or two in per week, get up to 4 runs in easily then, but they won't be all that long.

I could give up some of my gym sessions and run instead. I do 2 sessions a week where I do 10 minutes of intervals on the treadmill so I could increase the time on these, would that help?