Half Marathon in April

[Istherehopee]

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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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

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.

I have run heaps of half marathons and it is totally doable. Especially since you are already a runner and not starting from scratch.

You need a realistic training plan that you will stick to so make sure you find time to find one out that you think you can do. Don't be too over ambitious with how many times a week you will run. A couple/few shorter quicker runs in the week and a long slower paced run at the weekend, slowly building your miles up, should do it. Otherwise you may risk injury. On your long runs, don't push your pace or worry about how fast you are completing the run. Concentrate on moving, and staying moving, for the duration of your run and that will mean taking an easier pace. This will avoid injury also.

When you first start you feel you will never be able to run 13 miles but trust me, those miles come. One week you are proud of yourself for getting in 7 miles on your long run, and a few weeks later you will have done a 10 miler! Avoid trying to run more than 10 miles in training, you do not need to have run the whole distance by race day. That is what race day is for.

I agree with a previous poster who said not to worry about doing it in a certain time for your first one or get too hung up on completing it under 2 hours etc. It will distract you from your goal, which for a first one should be just to finish and get round without injury.

Ultimately enjoy the experience of training for it and come race day you will be raring to go and will actually even enjoy it!

To provide a slightly different perspectives...

I see it as absolutely doable, including a sub 2 hour one if you are already able to run 5km. Accepting that I may have a fairly decent natural running pace, I would say that with a proper training programme targeted towards the date, and being consistent from now. I have never done a training programme, didn't start running regularly until I was nearly 50 and started out at barely able to run a mile. I did my first 'competitive' half marathon in 1.48, just by going out running regularly and gradually increasing the distance and including a few of the local hills. No formal plan followed, trainers on and ran 2-3x a week, whatever distance felt comfortable or I had time for. All my training was off road.

With a couple of caveats, assuming you are relatively slim (it is easier to increase speed and more energy efficient if you aren't carrying extra, so I don't mean it rudely) and if you are able to avoid injury in training forcing a break, as some people get injuries more easily than others.

A 1.48 half marathon for a first timer is absolutely not average and given OP is currently running a 36 mins 5k I think it's important to be realistic that sub 2 hrs is a reach for her first HM in April.

A big consideration is also one's ability and willingness to run in discomfort. If you have a background in competitive sports, you have experience doing this and are less likely to feel panicked when it gets uncomfortable in the final 6km or so. If you have no experience doing this, you really need to train for this feeling so your head doesn't give up before your legs on race day.

I’m 38 and weigh 12 stone, 5ft 4. So definitely quite overweight.

I have really surprised myself though in that I started running this year and have kept it up. I’ve stopped and started many times before so really am delighted that I am still running 6 months on albeit infrequently.

am really annoyed with myself that I ran 8k in 54 minutes in September and then allowed it to all taper off. I’m going to get up early and go for a run tomorrow. Aiming for a nice easy pace 5k

I just checked my Strava - my first full 5km was 33 minutes, not wildly faster than OP and my goal was sub-2. I didn't say it wouldn't be difficult, but wanted to provide an example of it being possible. I don't know how old OP is, or what her tolerance for discomfort is. Like you say, head matters, and if everyone says it will be too hard, maybe that just gets accepted as gospel and she chooses not to push her limits rather than believing in herself.

@Istherehopee there are loads of training plans available online. Or ask ChatGPT to bespoke you one, based on your age, race date, availability etc. AI may have flaws, but it loves to give you positivity and cheer you on!

Just bumping for any more advice

I'm pretty much saying what everyone else has said - you can totally do it, but at this stage I would set the goal of running round without stopping, and if your training goes really well you could review that in March. Best advice I had was to do some cross training. So, 2 short runs per week, then one longer run at the weekend. At first, I found this easier to do by time than worrying about distance e.g. built my long run from 45 mins to an hour and then once I was comfortable with that gradually extended. Then on the days you don't run, do some core exercises and weights - if you don't go to the gym regularly, ask staff if they will help do you a programme. Make sure you have a day or two off every week to rest.

You could put some sprints / fartleks in your short runs to build speed once you get used to running again.

I'd echo what most have said here- its totally doable but the 2 hour time goal would be a real push based on your current 5km time (which is great by the way). I think the focus for your first should be getting it done and enjoying it, then you can look at working towards a time goal. I started running in my early 40s, had a similar 5km time and my first half was 2 27. I would definitely suggest some kind of strength training alongside the running as it helps to hold your body in position over the longer distance, and also some hill repeats/speed training factored into your training plan. Runna have some good (paid) training plans and Nike Run Club app used to do good free ones, not sure if they still do. Consistency on training is key, take it one run at a time. Good luck!

As a runner (training for second marathon atm) I would say distance is doable, but don’t aim for a time. If it were me, and you wanted to aim for a time, I’d enter a 10k and aim for that for a time and the half marathon for a distance.

I’m not saying you couldn’t do the time, but you have to ask what you actually want out of it. If it’s to hold yourself accountable to be a more consistent runner, don’t make it so difficult you put yourself off (especially over the winter) and it becomes a chore you stop doing as soon as you’ve done the event. (I speak from experience!)

Whatever you decide, I highly recommend the runna app. I’m using it this time, and I love that it just tells me what to do and when to do it, and adjusts things if I can’t run for whatever reason. Takes the thinking out of it. I just put on my trainers and do as I’m told 😂

edit to add: PS. How did this morning go? Did you enjoy it?

Thank you! I’m finding all the advice really encouraging.

I think I will aim to just complete the HM without stopping if I can. If I can do it under 3 hours or under 2hr 30 that will be great! I was clearly being very ambitious with my 2 hour time 🤣

id love to get to the stage where I can run an hour 2-3 times a week and not bat an eyelid and do it just for fitness.

so I got up this morning and went for a run. Ran exactly 5k and it took me 36 minutes. My average pace was 7min 15s. Back in the summer I was running at a pace of between 6min 40-50s so I definitely have got much slower since I stopped doing it as frequently.

going to aim for my next run on Friday morning and just run for 40 minutes and not worry about distance. Think I will try and build up my time to an hour.

then Sunday try and run for anywhere between 45-50 minutes. That’s my three runs then for this week done.

I’m just back into my running after a few lapses and my advice would be:

spend the next few weeks going out 3 times a week and running that 5km. Don’t try and force more too quickly or you’ll risk injury.

start a proper plan in the NY now you have established a 3 times a week routine. There were loads out there or with some good prompts ChatGPT can really tailorise one for you but you basically need 1 longer gradually increasing, 1 speed/hills, 1 recovery and a 4th for bonus and extra progression. And incorporate a recovery week every 5-6 weeks which dials back speed & distance before accelerating up a notch.

make sure you incorporate some non running exercise preferably full body strength - if not weights then swimming is amazing alongside running or a dynamic yoga class.

forge the time for your first one just aim to run the whole thing and finish in one piece. Agree that a 10k is a good one for timing so try and find one before but not too near race day.

enjoy. I’m not at HM fitness now but quite envious and almost making me want to find one myself.

Hi Op, I’m just dropping in to say hello! I used to run loads in my 20’s - 4 kids later and I’m about to turn 45 and I’ve decided that 2026 will be the year I run a marathon! I’m doing a half in February and I am hoping for sub 2 hrs… my current 5k best is just under 27mins and 10k 56 mins - neither of those were at full effort but I don’t think I could go that much faster! I’m still not sure I’ll get under 2 hrs although definitely aiming for it.

I think you are probably right to just aim to enjoy this one but as one of the other posters said you could see how you feel in March and review your goals then. Please keep updating on how your runs are going - I love hearing how people are getting on :)

Thank you so much! I felt really good yesterday although today I woke up and feel quite nervous about trying to run a half marathon. I think I do need to take it slow and not get overwhelmed. I’m definitely one of these people who can let work and life and emotions get in the way of good habits so it’s something I’m aware of - not all that sure of how to conquer it though.

I’ve planned to go for a run tomorrow - am going to go slow and see if I can just run for 45 minutes. Let’s see.

that’s amazing you’ve set 2026 as your year to run a marathon!! Lots of luck to you - that’s amazing you’ve set set yourself sub 2 hours - I wish you all the best! Please update with your progress too. We can spur each other on!

You can absolutely do the distance, OP, and 2hrs is a strong target to have - no harm in aiming for it but it'll be a tough ask!
I did my first half a few months after completing c25k. I was doing 5ks comfortably in 27/28 minutes then and my first half was 2:20.
Since then I've knocked the best part of an hour off that with more targeted training and lots of longer stuff, but for my first the target was very much just getting round in one piece!
Good luck with it; you can do this.

Thank you so much!

just went for a morning run. It’s quite icy and I’m always nervous of slipping.

I ran for 46 minutes very slowly. Covered 6.2km so not fast but pleased I did it.

Well done with the longer run! And go for it with the half, it’s a great target. I did my first half marathon last year after about a year of taking up running again (I’m in my 50s), it was daunting but I managed it and was so proud of myself! So go for it, but as others have said, for the first one just aim to get round. I’d recommend listening to the Women’s Running podcast, they are brilliant and listening to the pods as I ran really helped. Also I think next month’s Women’s Running magazine is a half marathon special - might have some ideas for training plans in there.

Huge congrats on the 46 minutes, how did you feel the next day?

One thing crossed my mind, check the finish cut off time for the half you’ve entered as some are more flexible than others.

The half-marathon in April is doable.
I don't think you'll do it in under 2 hours, but you could aim for that.

What sot of half-marathon is it? For a first half-marathon, I'd go for a scenic one that's not too hilly. A flat lap one will be dull. If it's listed as a PB one, it will be flat and fast, which I'd avoid.
When you get past the finish line you will be so pleased, it will all be worth it.
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When you have trained for the half-marathon, a couple of weeks before the race try to run the course as a practice run. On the day, you'll know what to expect.

Nike Run Club have a free app with audio guided runs, which is really nice as you don't have to think about what you need to do while running, just do what the audio tell you. They have a half marathon plan using the audio guided runs which I did for my first half - it's useful as it covers things like pacing and running in different conditions. The programme has 5 runs per week but one is basically an easy recovery pace while you listen to your programme for the next week, so you could do it in 4 or even 3 runs as long as you make sure you do the main long and speed sessions.

Most of the runs in the plan are time based though some are distance based, including the race day audio. These would be very good except the gps on the app always gets ahead of my actual pace which can be a bit annoying as I end up having to pause the guidance until I reach the marker for whatever distance they tell me it has reached.

As others have said, 2 hours would be a challenging goal for your first HM given your 5k pace - a half is 21k so you'd need to run 4x 5k plus 1k more, so if you could run it all at your current 5k pace that would be 2h30, and I would definitely recommend you set a slower pace for a half than a 5k.