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Original poster

Can I run half marathon in 4 weeks?

34 replies

Neolara · 04/02/2019 16:35

Following a training programme and just completed my long run for the week - 9.5 miles. Sounds OK, right? But I felt terrible! Really slow at nearly 2 hours and I kept having to stop and walk in last 2 miles. I now feel exhausted and am lying in sofa having tea brought to me. How am I going to add an extra 4 miles in a few weeks without keeling over? I'm basically adding a mile a week to long runs, but they are all awful.

OP posts:
ReggieKrayDoYouKnowMyName · 04/02/2019 16:37

As someone doing couch to 5k and still very much in the couch period- ie my running is interspersed with a lot of walking- I definitely couldn’t! But if you think you’re making the progress needed to get there good luck to you. Know that I’m rooting for you!

swampytiggaa · 04/02/2019 16:37

Well I’m running a half in 4 weeks and my longest run so far is 6 miles and that was 3 weeks ago 😂😂😂 I’ve done one before but that was 2 years ago.

Don’t worry about your time and don’t worry about walking and you will get through it.

Which one are you doing?

Wingbing · 04/02/2019 16:38

You don’t need to train for the full distance. I think you can do it. Sounds like maybe you didn’t have enough fuel for the run.

Have a look at what you have eaten the last 2 days. Also, did you take any fuel with you when you ran?

The furthest I ran before my first half marathon was 10 miles. I completed it in 2 hours 27. Not fast at all but finishing was an achievement for me.

legolimb · 04/02/2019 16:41

Yes. I would say so.

I have run 4 half marathons - and due to circumstances never trained as much as I should have done prior to each one.

There is nothing wrong with a walk/run method for a half. It's a long way. :)

Many runners don't do the full distance in training prior to a race.

Your time sounds fine to me. If you managed 9.5 miles in almost 2 hours then in theory your 13.1 should be done in 2.5 hours (ish). That's quite respectable for a half. Especially a first timer.

Are you in any running groups on facebook or Instagram? Run mummy run on facebook is amazing for support and advice. Worth joining the group.

Be kind to yourself. It's supposed to be fun, you know Smile and enjoy!

Dangerousplan · 04/02/2019 16:46

Yes. You'll be fine.
Take two days off, recover then back on plan. You only need to do a longest run of 10 miles two weeks before, then taper.
Don't get focussed on time for your first, just train properly and you'll be fine. Try to enjoy it!

Wingbing · 04/02/2019 16:46

I second run mummy run on fb. Lots of good tips and very supportive. The regional groups are less intense and don’t fill up your newsfeed

StoatofDisarray · 04/02/2019 16:48

You should be able to manage a marathon in 4 weeks; I believe most people do it in under 5 hours. Are you planning to walk on your hands? Grin

Wingbing · 04/02/2019 16:51

Grin stoat

AnotherPidgey · 04/02/2019 17:32

Your're pretty much there.

Final two weeks to taper and reduce milage and pace so you are fresh and rested for race day.

10 miles in training is quite sufficient particularly if the goal is to complete rather than a particular time. You're pretty much there.

Why not ease back slightly next week if you're tired. Do the full 10 or so the week after and reduce over the next two weeks.

EmmaGellerGreen · 04/02/2019 17:38

Yes, that’s fine. I never do more than 10 training for a half. One more long one in 1-2 weeks then taper. Adrenaline and nerves will get you over the line on the day. Which one are you doing?

Original poster
Neolara · 04/02/2019 19:42

You've all been very encouraging.. Thank you. It's the Cambridge half, so at least there will be no hills to contend with. The thought of adding 4 more miles onto what I did today is still quite alarming. Four hours on and my feet still hurt.and I'm feeling pretty pathetic. My 8 mile runs have been OK, just today was awful.. Maybe it was just a bad day. I may try and do one or two 10 milers before race day to give me a bit of confidence. Unbelievably to me now, I have actually run a marathon, but 20 years ago and I am now elderly (or so my kids tell me!) and everything is just an lot harder.

OP posts:
swampytiggaa · 04/02/2019 21:21

I was hoping you were running the same one as me so we could buddy up 🙂 you’ll be fine 💕

EmmaGellerGreen · 04/02/2019 22:02

Yay, I’m doing Cambridge! It’s lovely. As you say, no hills and fabulous support almost all the way round. There are loads of fast runners but also plenty of slower runners and run/walkers. You will love it!

Starlight90 · 05/02/2019 18:06

Of course you can!

BUT, you have to make sure you fuel up. Eat well the day before, drink the water,

LostInLeics · 05/02/2019 18:10

You'll be absolutely fine on the day - believe me. The adrenaline, the excitement, the noise from the crowds, the not having to worry about taking a wrong turn or slowing to cross roads, the convenience of happy smiling people handing you water and energy drinks/gels every few miles and telling you how amazing you are .... running a race is so much easier than running on your own, the miles will fly by! Go for it, you can do this!

Racontuer · 05/02/2019 18:24

Could be a variety of things:

  1. Not properly hydrated? Day before a long run plenty of water to hydrate whole body.
  2. Ideally eat properly beforehand, at least 2 hours before your run.
  3. Water and energy gels after 1 hour of running to keep you going for next hour. Same again after 2ns hour.
  4. Running top fast for distance. Try taking a slightly easier pace.
  5. You only need an extra 3.6 miles which you can easily do in 4 weeks. Add 1 mile each week and leave the 0.6 for the day. Take each run slow and steady. About completing it first and foremost regardless of pace.
  6. Cut down any alcohol, junk food, salty food as they will all impact hydration.

You will be fine 👍

Original poster
Neolara · 11/02/2019 16:31

Just dropping back in to say thanks for your encouragement and tips. I ran 10.5 miles today, slowly but relatively easily. I think not drinking enough was my downfall last time so today I headed out with a water bottle and it made a huge difference. Feeling much more positive about it all!

OP posts:
legolimb · 11/02/2019 16:57

Well done.

You will smash it!

EmmaGellerGreen · 11/02/2019 19:30

Well done!
I did 9 on Thursday and planning a final 11 next Monday. It’s getting close to race day now!

topcat2014 · 11/02/2019 19:34

I have run 3 half's so far. To be fair, each has included a bit a lot of walking. Never ran more than 7 miles in the training.

You will be fine!

stayingaliveisawayoflife · 11/02/2019 19:55

I did royal parks in the cold rain! It took me four hours as I walked the second half but I did it! It was an amazing experience even if they had closed down the entertainment village because it was getting flooded with the torrential rain!

I still wear my unicef and royal parks tops with pride!

TriSkiRun99 · 12/02/2019 09:04

Well done on the 10.5m you can do it now. Fuel fuel fuel is my best tip. I ran a half at the weekend and I did the same one as my first last year I too had only done 10m, I finished it just under 2.5hrs but was shattered. This year I forced myself to eat a jelly baby/detroze tablet every in between 5-10k, then a snack bar at 10k and I had tablet in a 500ml water bottle. This time I knocked 5mins of my time and although tired at the end I wasn’t exhausted. Good luck and definitely taper 2wks before.

TriSkiRun99 · 12/02/2019 09:04

Every km

BertrandRussell · 12/02/2019 09:08

Even I could run a half marathon I. 4 weeks......

I’ll get my coat...

Doggyness · 14/02/2019 16:12

I'm also doing the Cambridge half, it'll be my first HM so I'm dead nervous!

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