Hal Higdon's Novice Half Training schedule ?? ....

[HiC]

So, the last long run is 10 miles before you run the half.  Can you really eek out another 3 miles a week later if you've never run that distance before?  Really?  Is the thinking that if the wheels fall off you can always limp the last 3 miles. 

I'm doubting myself now and I need some positive feedback here.


It's like when I was 10 weeks pregnant and holding my friend's 1 day old, 8+ lb baby on my lap.  Don't do that....it's scary.  I am having that same anxiety right now.

[skwcm80]

My training program topped out at 12 miles, but plenty of posters here have topped out at 10. You should be fine.

[zoidberg]

I did it. Even with taking some time off of nurse my jerk IT band.

The last 3 miles were tough, but I got through it by sheer force of will.

And if I can do it, I know you can do it.

[clseale]

Lol. Yes, you can do it, & I don't think the logic behind it is that you can limp the last 3 miles.

The last couple of miles will hurt, be you expect that. Does it get easier as you do more mileage in training? Of course, but that plan is just fine for your first half. You can do it!

ETA: I also think it matters how much of a runner you were before you decided to train for a half. 

[jchokie79]

Honestly that made me nervous too. I just started a 16 week Half training plan that someone posted on here. My Half isn't 'till Sept. and this plan has two 10 mile runs, one 11 and one 12 before the Half. I'm much more comfortable with that.

Not sure when your Half is but here's the plan I'm following.

www.halfmarathons.net/training_tips_schedule_intermediate_runners.html

[texassmith]

I topped out at 10 miles for my first half (and have continued to do so for subsequent halves as well) and had no problem with it. Adrenaline will carry you! But really, if an 11 or 12 miler will make you feel better mentally,there's definitely nothing wrong with doing that.

[HiC]

May 13, 2013 21:13:00 GMT -5 @dontcallmeshirley1 said:

Great question! One of my favorite stories about my one half is about exactly that. I used the HH novice plan, too, and was super excited that "adrenaline" would take me the last three miles, so he said. I hit the last stretch at mile 10, which is flat, somewhat hurting, and got excited for the adrenaline to kick in. Mile 11-no adrenaline. Mile 12--WTF??? I couldn't even limp over to the other side of the road to get a high five from guy manning the High Five station. Anyway, moral of the story: while I'm sure many can run 13 after only doing 10, you might want to do an 11 or 12.

LOL!  NOT HELPING! 

Thanks for the tip. I was thinking I'll just start adding on some miles here and there and hope not to blow anything out.  And honestly, the high five guy should have come out to YOU!

[MrsE]

Yes! Also, depending on your base and your comfortability, you may want to check out HH's Novice 2 plan instead. Good luck!

[AHappierHour]

Why don't you do novice 2 that one has you running 12 miles.

[savan]

I used it for my 1st half. The last 3 miles were hard but I finished within my A goal. I went up to 12 miles for the next 3 halfs.

[mcfelix]

Yes - my longest run ever before my 1st HM was 10 miles. I survived the half just fine! Try reminding yourself that you can always take a walking break if you need it. You've got this!

[HiC]

Thanks all!

I never knew there was a Novice 2!! It's too late now.

[fdcritt76]

I used the Novice 2 plan, but had to stop at 10 due to an IT band complication. I was just fine on race day!

[Deleted]

I used that plan and my last long run was 10 miles, and I felt great at my first half marathon and finished within two minutes of my goal. I struggled much more during the practice long runs than on race day!

[foundmylazybum]

You can definitely do it!

Just don't go out too fast at the beginning.

[kellydelq]

For this program- what exercise falls under cross training? Would that be anything other than running? And what do you do on stretch/strengthening days? Thanks!

ETA- I am an idiot and missed the full explanation at the top! still curious to what you ladies do though...

[tigress]

That made me nervous as I know I'm not a "gamer", so I found a plan that went up to 12 miles for my 20k. But lots of people say it works just fine!

[Susie]

I know a lot of people top out at 10. I topped out at 11.5 miles before my first half. I was glad to have done double digits more than once, but it might very well have been more mental than physical.

I am a triathlete, so I XT more than most runners, and my XT days are swimming & biking.

[AHappierHour]

May 14, 2013 8:08:37 GMT -5 kellydelq said:

For this program- what exercise falls under cross training? Would that be anything other than running? And what do you do on stretch/strengthening days? Thanks!

ETA- I am an idiot and missed the full explanation at the top! still curious to what you ladies do though...

For cross training I did spin one day and 30DS on the other days.

[arch01]

I topped out at 10 for my first but went to 12 for my second 2. You'll be fine!