Training for a Half Marathon

Inexperienced runners often think that those who run marathons (half or full) are just good at running, love to run, or are a "natural born runner". Believe me, I used to be that inexperienced runner that thought this way. Well, I'm here to tell you (if nobody has told you before) that it's simply not true! And I'm living proof.

I was a gymnast so I worked out a lot and was in really good shape. But could I run a mile? Barely. Running a mile used to be the most difficult workout for me. More difficult than doing 20 pull-ups, flipping around on a 4 inch beam, doing 100 push-ups, climbing a rope without using my legs, or squatting 2x my body weight. Now, a mile is easy. When I go for my runs 3 miles is the minimum I run. However, I can't do 20 pull-ups or anything else mentioned above anymore.

After I quit gymnastics I decided I better take a liking to running if I was going to stay slim and wanted to continue to consume thousands of calories in a day. I married a runner so that helped to motivate me. I thought it would be fun if we could run together without slowing him down terribly. Well, to tell you the truth I still slow him down when we run together but I can at least keep up with him when it comes to running the distance. His legs are like twice as long as mine so, really, how am I supposed to keep up with his speed?!

Anyways, my point is our bodies are amazing and can do amazing things. It definitely takes hard work and commitment but you can do just about anything you put your mind to. And running a half marathon I believe anyone can do...if they really want to. You may not be the fastest, it may hurt a little, but I know it is possible.

2012 Utah Valley Marathon

If you have not tried running a half marathon, I would recommend it to anyone. It is such a fun, challenging race. I've mentioned before that I am running the Utah Valley Half Marathon this year and so I will be starting my training program very soon. My first time training, I chose a beginner training schedule that I would like to share and encourage people to try. You will be amazed even after just a couple of weeks at what you can do that you never thought you could do before.

It is a 10 week running schedule. You might think...just 10 weeks? I need a heck of a lot more time to train my body to run 13.1 miles! I thought the same thing but I just went for it and tried it. I had never run further than 3 miles before I started training for my first half marathon. I was amazed that I could run 5 miles after 2 weeks! You gradually increase to 12 miles then taper off before race day.

Week 1:
Monday run 3
Wednesday run 3
Thursday run 3
Saturday run 4

Week 2:
Monday run 3
Wednesday run 4
Thursday run 3
Saturday run 5

Week 3:
Monday run 3
Wednesday run 4
Thursday run 3
Saturday run 6

Week 4:
Monday run 3
Wednesday run 5
Thursday run 3
Saturday run 8

Week 5:
Monday run 3
Wednesday run 5
Thursday run 3
Saturday run 10

Week 6:
Monday run 4
Wednesday run 5
Thursday run 4
Saturday run 11

Week 7:
Monday run 4
Wednesday run 6
Thursday run 4
Saturday run 12

Week 8:
Monday run 4
Wednesday run 5
Thursday run 4
Saturday run 9

Week 9:
Monday run 3
Wednesday run 4
Thursday run 3
Saturday run 8

Week 10:
Monday run 3
Wednesday run 3
Thursday walk 2
Race Day run 13.1 

If you are not currently running then start. Start with a mile, then try 2, then when you are consistently able to run 3 you are ready to try this training schedule.

I hope you will try it. It is a lot of fun and well worth your time. But you've gotta find a race to sign up for first so that you are really motivated and committed to doing it. Good luck!

For more information about this 10 week training program click here.