Half marathon resources

[TakeTheLowRoad]

Not run for a year and nearly 2 stone overweight. I’ve half decent underlying fitness, but no where near half marathon ready. The event is early March 2023.

In the past I have done a couple of 10k events in not so great times e.g. 55 mins.

I’m looking for resources to help me train and set goals.

Any suggestions?

Nike run club do half marathon training on the app, with guided runs. It's really motivating abd engaging :)

I'd second the Nike Run club half marathon plan, the guided runs really help with motivation (yes it can be a bit cheesy at times, but sometimes cheesy encouragement is what you need to hear!). That takes 14 weeks so count back from your planned event. Before starting the half plan you could do a 10k training plan or just focus on building a solid base of consistent running. If you have a heart rate monitor you could look up MAF training during this phase as this can be great for endurance sports and basically involves running at a low heart rate. I'd strongly recommend adding in some strength work as it makes a huge difference to your running performance and overall health.

Oh, and don't be down on yourself about that 10k time - this site runninglevel.com/running-times/10k-times reckons the average for a woman of any age is 54 minutes so (assuming you are female) you're probably doing just fine, maybe better than fine depending on your age!

A plan from runners world based on a goal time 😊

Oh, and do think about your fuelling - if you're overweight it's going to be tempting to try to diet at the same time but getting full training benefit needs fuel so eating healthily but in reasonable quantity during your build up to the race is going to help you no end. In particular if you're getting anywhere near (peri)menopause be very cautious about running fasted or low-carb.

In particular if you're getting anywhere near (peri)menopause be very cautious about running fasted or low-carb

Why? I always run fasted, anything up to 20 miles without breakfast. No issues at all.

OP, there are good runners world plans out there, but the key is just to make sure you're doing at least 3 runs a week - preferably one long and steady, one effort (hills or speed) and another medium ish distance of 4/5 miles. A recovery run as well if you can fit it in, the day after your long run.
Then keep upping the distance of your long run til you've covered at least 10 miles 3/4 weeks out from the race.

Are you aiming for a time or just to get round? If the former, you'll want to be doing your medium length runs at race pace or thereabouts, to get used to how the pace feels.

I use Wild AI app. It’s designed to train around your hormones. I’ve ran 2 half’s with it.

Hal Higdon every time. The app is brilliant and responds /adapts incredibly well to how you’re actually running.
The runners world plans are good too

This!! Love their plans especially the half marathon. Stuck to it and met my goal earlier this year.

The Running Channel on Youtube is good for tips and motivation.

I was warned against running fasted (by a trained dietician) for women it causes a big stress response and isn’t good for us. So I don’t do it anymore! Especially if perimenopausal.

@fellrunner83 it can be done, and if it works for you then great, but you may not be the norm! For a lot of women it's not the most effective way of training due to boosting cortisol levels and the way the body responds. Most of the research on running fasted was done on men, and women are quite different, particularly at peri, so given most mumsnetters are women I think it's a sensible thing to warn people to be cautious about. Stacey Sims is worth a read on the topic.

@UnaOfStormhold the wild IA App is dr Stacey sims.