Half Marathon Training

THE HALF MARATHON IS A FRIENDLY DISTANCE. Beginners, who have gotten their introduction to road running in a 5-K or 10-K, can look to the half as the next step upward. Experienced runners like half marathons, because training for and racing 13 miles requires somewhat less time commitment than does a full 26. SEE ALL HALF-MARATHON PROGRAMS The excitement around half marathons often is the same as at a marathon–except you get to go home early. Also, you can use half marathon races as part of your training for later marathons. Knowing your time at the half gives you a good idea of what to expect when you run the full marathon. This is why more than four times as many runners now run half marathons vs. full marathons. To plan your training program for the half marathon, click on one of the appropriate links on the accompanying menu. For more detailed instructions plus extra training advice and tips, consider signing up for one of my Interactive programs, available through TrainingPeaks. For twelve weeks, I will send you daily emails telling you how to train. Consider also acquiring a copy of my latest book, Hal Higdon’s Half Marathon Training, available from Human Kinetics. So lace up your running shoes. It’s time to start training for your half marathon race.

Countless half-marathoners have used Hal’s programs, whether getting ready for their first race or their twentieth. Use our half marathon interactive plans to build endurance and taper properly for your next 13.1.

• Advanced

  This Advanced Half Marathon Training Program is for experienced runners: individuals who compete regularly in 5K, 10K, half-marathon and even marathon races and who want to improve their performances. Each day, Hal will send you an email message telling you what to run and offering a tip about training.

• Half Marathon 3 (HM3)

  Welcome to Half Marathon 3, or HM3. This is a new program created for Hal Higdon's Half Marathon Training. It was designed to match the popular Marathon 3 program that features 3 days of running a week and 2 days of cross-training. It recognizes the fact that not all runners can handle 4, 5, 6 and especially not 7 days of running a week. We are all different and achieve success by various means. HM3 lasts 12 weeks aimed at the half marathon of your choice. In signing up for HM3, be sure to set the correct end date so all of the workouts fall into place for your goal race. Monday in HM3 is always a day of rest to recover from the hard training on the weekend. Tuesdays and Thursdays are easy running days, conversational pace mostly. In between on Wednesdays, you cross train, the most popular form of cross-training being aerobic: cycling, swimming or even walking. Friday is another rest day with long runs on Saturdays and cross-training on Sundays, although you can flipflop those workouts for convenience.

• Intermediate 1

  Half Marathon Intermediate 1 features steady running, long and short. Intermediate 1 is an endurance-based program; Intermediate 2 is a speed-based program. These two intermediate schedules exist in a parallel universe, the same level of difficulty, just slightly different approaches to training. They are part of the logical progression upward from Novice through Intermediate to Advanced for the half marathon distance. Before you buy, take a look at Intermediate 2 and also look back at Novice 2. Make sure you pick the correct program for your level of ability. If you have any doubt, err on the side of easy. Find the correct program to get you to the finish line of your half marathon with a smile on your face.

• Intermediate 2

  The main difference between Half Marathon Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2 is that this program (Intermediate 2) features one day of speedwork. Intermediate 1 & 2 exist parallel to one another in different universes, like the Earth 1 and Earth 2 of comic book lingo. Mondays are for cross training, starting at 30 minutes, peaking at 1 hour in Week 11, one week out from your half marathon race. Tuesdays and Thursdays are easy days: 3-5 miles. In between on Wednesdays, you do speedwork, alternating tempo runs with interval training on the track. Fridays are rest days leading to some pace running on Saturdays and long runs on Sundays, starting at 5 miles, peaking at 12 miles one week before the half marathon. Half Intermediate 2, make no mistake, is for experienced runners: individuals who have left their Novice roots behind and who want to improve their performance.

• Novice 1

  The Novice 1 program is designed for beginning runners who want to prepare for their first 13.1-mile race. If you have run several half or full marathons before, you might want to take a look at the Novice 2 half marathon program, which is designed for more experienced runner. First-timer? This is the program for you. In choosing the half marathon, you are choosing the most popular race distance in America. According to Running USA, 2 million runners did a half marathon last year. That is four times the number of the half million who ran full marathons. If your long-range goal is 26.2 miles, a 13.1 mile race offers a good starting point. Or if 13.1 is more than enough race mileage with no desires to go 26.2 (at least for now), you have discovered one of our most gentle training programs. If you can handle the 3-to-4-mile runs prescribed in Week 1, this program will get you ready to run 13.1 week at the end of 12 weeks.

• Novice 2

  Half Marathon Novice 2 fills the gap between the former Novice (now Novice 1) half marathon program and the Intermediate programs. Novice 1 targets beginners. These are new runners who have only begun to train. The Intermediate program serves more experienced runners, those who have raced several half marathons and/or full marathons. Take a look at all three programs before you buy and see which group you might fit into best. This Novice 2 half marathon program is very similar to the Novice 2 program for the full marathon. The pattern is the same. Fridays and Mondays are rest days surrounding the harder weekend workouts: long runs on Saturdays, cross training on Sundays. The midweek workouts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays also mimic the pattern of my novice marathon programs. One difference between Novice 1 and Novice 2 is that the latter prescribes some running at race pace midweek. Every day, Hal will send you emails telling you what to run that day and offering tips on training. Never before has training for a half marathon been easier.

• Walkers

  This is a program designed especially for walkers training for the half marathon (13.1 miles). If you plan to run the half marathon rather than walk, check out one of the other programs at this distance designed for runners. You will receive daily emails telling you how to train and offering tips on that training.