First Half Marathon in April

[Leons]

I have signed up to do the London Landmarks half marathon in April. I’m 50, and I started couch25k last March, and I am now running 5/6k 2-3 times a week, and recently on Saturday mornings I’m getting up to 10k plus. My plan is over next 12 weeks is to just keeping adding an extra k to my Saturday morning run. Is that enough? I feel I can do it, ie add an extra k each week. For example this morning I stopped at 10.5 only because I had enough of running in the pouring rain. I’m slow, but that doesn’t bother me, I do sometimes pick up my pace and also add in a horrible hill at least once a week. All I want is to complete it and I think I can do it in 2 hours 15/20. My plan basically is just to keep adding an extra k, and I’m hoping that’s enough?

Yes, that’s enough and you will be absolutely fine! To be honest, you may be able to add in 2k but remember that you will need to build in a little tapering before race day to give your body time to recover and have enough energy to do the distance. Also, you won’t run the full distance before the race and don’t worry about this as the adrenaline and people cheering you on will carry you through!

You'll be fine! Make sure you keep stretching and don't be afraid to back off if your body starts niggling.

Thanks, yes that’s what I’m hoping for. Maybe get to 18k and then the 20k is on the day. It will be a very emotional run, as I’m running with my twin who lost her daughter to cancer 2 years ago so we are running for Teenage Cancer Trust. First big run for me but my sister has run several marathons. So I think emotions and adrenaline will get me through.

I've done this HM. My longest training run was 10 miles two weeks before race day.

It's the best HM I've ever done, the atmosphere is amazing.

If you can run 18km you certainly can run 21km. The crowd will have keep you going!

I would add 1-2km a week but every 3 weeks take a mile drop week on your long run to allow yourself a bit of recovery e.g. something like (apologies for working in miles)
week 1 - 6 miles
week 2 - 7 miles
week 3 - 8 miles
week 4 - 5/6 miles
week 5 - 9 miles
week 6 - 10miles
or you've actually got time to add less than a mile a week, or do 2 weeks at the same long run distance to build your stamina up. Also try and increase the length of your midweek runs or build in some hills/speed work to one of the sessions.