I am beyond happy to be writing this post! Writing about training has been on my mind for so long and the only reason I didn’t write on the topic sooner was because I have so much to say. Before you continue reading, I’d like to add that I’m only a runner and not a running coach.
Did you know? The first half marathon I ever ran was not even my idea!!! I’ll make the story short. I was at a Christmas party being friendly and charming when I met a girl. We got along so well! After a few sips of champagne she convinced me to run a half marathon with her. And now (though we don’t speak often), my life is forever changed.
The story is relevant because I had no clue (negative clues if possible) what I was doing. The race became a little too real and I realized I’d be running a half marathon within a couple of months. Yes, it was something I had always wanted to do, but how? Google came to my rescue. I spent hours reading about running and looking up half marathon training plans. Most training plans I found had something wrong with them. Usually too much milage or too much time commitment. I use the words “too much” because I was (am) a graduate student and I had no time to waste, as there was always an assignment to complete or an exam to study for.
Then, the best thing happened – I found a training plan I liked! I wish I would have saved it or taken a screen shot, but I didn’t (sorry, ya’ll). The plan aimed to train people who didn’t have much time by having short runs daily, one long run mid-week, and one longer run on the weekend. Well, at least that’s how I remember it and that’s what it has evolved to be for me.
The exact training plan I follow is in the table below. It is only 10 weeks long and is best for someone who can run at least 3 miles on any day. I love this training plan because it only takes up 30 minutes of my day, so there’s never an excuse for me not to show up. I know half an hour it isn’t much time when trying to build speed, so I don’t plan easy runs. This just means that my 30 minute runs are fairly fast (3.50 miles – 3.60 miles/30 min.) and I’m quite tired when it’s over.
| Week | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
| 1 | 30 min. | 30 min. | 4 mi. | 30 min. | 30 min. | 5 mi. | rest |
| 2 | 30 min. | 30 min. | 5 mi. | 30 min. | 30 min. | 6 mi. | rest |
| 3 | 30 min. | 30 min. | 6 mi. | 30 min. | 30 min. | 7 mi. | rest |
| 4 | 30 min. | 30 min. | 6.5 mi. | 30 min. | 30 min. | 8 mi. | rest |
| 5 | 30 min. | 30 min. | 7 mi. | 30 min. | 30 min. | 8.5 mi. | rest |
| 6 | 30 min. | 30 min. | 7.5 mi. | 30 min. | 30 min. | 10 mi. | rest |
| 7 | 30 min. | 30 min. | 9 mi. | 30 min. | 30 min. | 11.5 mi. | rest |
| 8 | 30 min. | 30 min. | 10 mi. | 30 min. | 30 min. | 13 mi. | rest |
| 9 | 30 min. | 30 min. | 7 mi. | 30 min. | 30 min. | 9 mi. | rest |
| 10 | 30 min. | 30 min. | 5 mi. | 30 min. | 30 min. | 3 mi. | Race Day! |
I hope you’re inspired to train for your own half marathon! A saying exists along the lines of, “if you can run three miles, you can run 13.1” If you aren’t at three miles yet, you can always work up to it! As always, anything is possible when you believe in yourself and I believe in YOU too!
Today was a long one, thank you so much for reading! More on previous race days here and here.
