How do you get results with a two month half marathon training build up? Is 8 weeks enough time to fully prepare for a half marathon? The answer is yes but you also have to prepare adequately. Remember, the name of the game when it comes to running is patience and proper training. It isn't about quantity but quality. Higher mileage is not always the answer. Furthermore, this is a mistake that many athletes make. I know because I made the mistake myself earlier in my career.
Top Recommendations For A Two Month Half Marathon Training Build Up
The key tactic I used to lower my half marathon best from 1.10.32 to 1.07.06 was varying up pace. What is your goal half marathon race pace? Do you have a specific time you want to cover the half marathon distance in? What percentage of your weekly training volume are you spending at, near or far below your goal half marathon race pace?
These are the questions that need to be answered. Are you seeking to run your first half marathon? If that is the case for you race pace training may not apply. Athletes don't need to necessarily train at a specific pace in order to start and finish a half marathon. Athletes who are seeking to run their first half marathon may just need to gradually build up mileage over a set amount of time. That being said, if you want to run the half marathon distance in a specific time more is required.
Race Pace Training
For example, if your goal is to hold 7 minute mile pace for 13.1 miles you need to get accustomed to running 6 minute mile pace and often. There is no easy way to make race pace feel easy. It comes from hard training, focused effort and patience. You must have a belief in delayed gratification over a long period of time in order to succeed over a two month half marathon training build up. Can you succeed in 2 months? Yes, it is possible if you perfect your taper and get it right on the day.
That being said, it may take several 2-month training build ups in order to get it right and set a new personal best.
Invest In A Course
I have created running courses and training programs here to help speed up the learning curve. It doesn't matter if you are preparing to break a sub 17 5K or going after a sub 1.20 half marathon time, we have something for you here.
One of the best ways to succeed in running is find what successful athletes do and simply duplicate their work habits. I have invested in numerous courses and athletic seminars over the years and I credit those to helping me break the sub 2:20 marathon barrier. Why are they important? They help you bypass the mistakes other athletes are making and use leverage instead. Leverage is simply doing more with less.
So, are you seeking to maximize your two month half marathon training? If so, you need to find out what the best runners do first. These training programs and courses are there to help you make less mistakes and take the guesswork out of your training.
Common Mistakes I See Athletes Making
Too impatient
Results don't come overnight and they make not come within 2 months. So, you have to be willing to endure and do not lose enthusiasm, when the going gets tough. I had numerous setbacks over the years. In addition, it took me from 1992 to 2007 to run a 2.19 marathon. Are you willing to train that long in order to obtain your goal? I'm not saying it will take you this long to achieve your goal. That being said, you have to understand your goal may be a difficult one. If that is the case, be willing to accept the challenges that tie into achieving that goal.
Too many miles run too slow
Remember, it isn't about quantity but quality. If your goal is to cover the half marathon distance in a specific time you must train often at that specific pace. Too many miles run too slow will make you an outstanding, long, slow runner.
Vary Up Your Long Run Paces
Long runs are not fast enough
The biggest reason I was able to lower my marathon best from 2.43.36 to 2.19.35 was speeding up my long runs. How does one go from being able to sustain 6.14 mile pace to 5.19 mile pace over 26.2 miles? A major change in the way the athlete conducts their long run. Now, what I am not saying is to run every long run every weekend fast. This would be an outstanding way to become stale, tired and fatigued quickly.
Remember, everything in moderation. You need to push the body then back off in order to see the results of your hard work. I believe in conducting my harder long runs at 160 beats per minute if using a heart rate monitor. This comes out to around 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. The idea behind this style of training is to improve your lactate tolerance. The reason the best runner are able to sustain pace is because they have trained at a high heart rate for long periods of time.
In addition, they have trained extensively at paces that far exceed what they are aiming to race at. This is the secret to running fast over the half marathon distance. You need to alternate one harder long run one weekend with an easy, relaxed long run the next weekend. Thus, you will recover and get the best return on investment with your time and effort. Does that make sense? I hope so.
Closing Thoughts
Remember, it is about working smarter rather than harder. There are many hard working athletes who still fail to meet their goals. Again, if your goal is to simply start and and complete a half marathon you do not necessarily have to train at specific paces. Your goal should be to continue to stay consistent and run day in, day out and build your endurance. There is more that is required if you are trying to cover the distance in a specific time.
If you are seeking to bypass the mistakes of other athletes perhaps one of our courses or training programs will be of assistance to you. Click the links below to learn more.
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