Over the years, running has become a very popular sport with a large number of races dotting the globe.  From 5K, to 1/2 marathon, and from Ultras to Spartan races, there is something for runners of all ages and abilities.

According to “The State of Running 2019”, the 5k and half marathon had the largest number of participants in 2018. (1)  The half marathon is 13.1 miles.  It provides a challenge for runners who have conquered the 5k and 10k distances and is the gateway for those looking to attack the marathon.  

The half marathon is unique in that it takes people a longer time to complete.  A majority of runners take over an hour.  This leads to the need of hydrating and consuming nutrition during the race as well as requiring more time for training.

Most anyone with proper training can run a half marathon.  There really is no age limit.  I was under the age of 10 when I ran my first half marathon and Harriette Thompson was 94 when she became the oldest woman to complete a half marathon in 3:42.56. (2)

Naturally after you’ve completed a 5k and 10k, the next step up is the half marathon.  However, you don’t have to have completed a 5 or 10k race to consider a half marathon.  If you’ve consistently been running 3-4 times per week with a long run of 5-6 miles and have the desire to run farther, you are ready to train for a half marathon. ​  However, even if you haven't run much at all and you have the desire to run a half marathon, you too can start training for one.  You will just want to give yourself plenty of time (I would say 4-6 months) to properly prepare yourself so you don't get injured.  

1) Does it start you off at the level of fitness you’re currently at?  This would include length of runs and number of runs per week.  Pick a plan that starts you out with roughly the same volume of weekly mileage you’re currently doing.  I wouldn't start out doing more than five miles more per week than you are used to.  Choosing a plan that starts you off with more weekly miles than you’re used to could lead to injury and even discouragement.  If you can’t find the right plan for you, an option would be to have a custom plan created just for you.  If you decide to have a plan created, send me an email at instriderunner@gmail.com and I would be happy to visit with you and create the perfect plan. (3)

2) Does it consist of at least 10-12 weeks for beginners and 6-8 for experienced runners?  Having the appropriate time, especially for beginners*, to increase in mileage, is crucial to injury prevention and a healthy progression.  As a general rule of thumb, only increase the overall weekly volume by no more than 10% and then remain at that level for 2-3 weeks before increasing again.(4)  For experienced runners, appropriate time is needed as you increase the speed and intensity of workouts allowing your body to build strength and adjust to the newly found speed.  If you are very new to running, I would recommend taking at least 4 - 6 months to properly prepare for the half marathon.  

* (meaning you've run at least 3 times per week and have a long run of 5-6 miles)

3) Dose the plan incorporate one or more rest days per week?  Rest days are an essential element in training.  Your body needs a break from the heavy training, allowing healing and recovery to take place.  Rest also aids in the prevention of injury.  Rest, as odd as it may seem, will actually help you in becoming a better runner.(5) (6)  Beginning runners may need a couple rest days a week, especially in the beginning weeks of training.  An experienced runner may be able to get by on one rest day a week; but can always take an additional day here and there as needed. 

4) Does the plan include a long run of 11-13 miles?  Long runs are the backbone in training for a half marathon.  It’s in the long run where mental and physical strength are built.(7)  Long runs also provide the opportunity to practice drinking and taking nutrition.  You’ll want to run 11-13 miles, at least once, prior to your half marathon; however, if it fits in the schedule, I’d recommend doing a couple of these runs. ​

5) Does the plan include cross-training?  Cross-training strengthens different muscle groups, helping to prevent injuries and making you an overall stronger runner.  It provides a mental break from running which, is important in helping prevent burn out.(8)  Cross-training also provides a physical break from running, allowing the muscles to recover. 

I recommend having at least one cross-training day a week or every other week within your training plan.  There are lots of options to choose from for cross-training.  Pick one or two that you enjoy and that offer a challenge.  Feel free to change the activity up as often as you want.   Below are a couple different sites with cross training options:
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https://www.active.com/cycling/articles/the-best-cross-training-for-runners

https://www.irunfar.com/2018/09/cross-training-for-runners.html

Not all runners are the same when it comes to eating nutrition and drinking liquids and how it effects their body.  You will want to practice drinking water, experiment with different energy drinks, GU’s, natural foods, and energy bars, etc. to find out what works for you.  It’s far better to test nutrition prior to a race then finding out during the race that straight Gatorade makes you sick to your stomach or GU’s give you diarrhea.  I have personally found success with a product called Tailwind.(9)  It’s a flavored powder that is mixed with water and has 100 calories per scoop. It is  very easy on the stomach.  I’ve also mixed creamy peanut butter and honey together for caloric intake in training.

Running for any distance burns calories.  With a typical runner taking over an hour to complete the half marathon, a lot of calories are being used.  For a general rule, you can figure the average runner burning 100 calories per mile.(10)  Here is a link to additional information for knowing how many calories you need to consume during a race. 

https://www.active.com/nutrition/articles/how-to-fuel-during-a-half-marathon/slide-6

Along with shoes, socks, shorts, sports bras, and tops, there are other key pieces of wardrobe to consider when running.  One thing to think about with running more miles is chaffing and blisters.  Chaffing causes sore spots in arm pits, on nipples, in the crotch area, and where the sun doesn't shine.  Chaffing can become very painful in a race and may effect how you finish and how you walk the next day.  Luckily, chaffing can easily be prevented.  It's important not to get clothes with  high seams in areas prone to chaffing.  Choose material that breathes and can dry quickly.  Beyond material, you'll want to use lubricant on those areas prone to chaffing.   The lubricant can be as simple as Vaseline or you can choose from one of the many on the market.  Below you'll find a link to a list of lubricants to get you started.  Pick one and try it during training.  If it works, stay with it and if if doesn’t, try a different option.  Once you find a lubricant that works, don't forget to use it before your race.​

​https://runnerclick.com/10-best-anti-chafing-creams-reviewed/
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Preparation is key to having a good first half marathon.   Put in the work and the work pays off.  Figuring out what works for you to fuel and hydrate during the race will be essential to maintaining energy and finishing strong.  Beyond the preparation and nutrition, how you physically run the race will have a determining factor in the type of race you have.   By far, the best way to run your quickest time and have the best chance of completing the half marathon is to run consistent mile times.  Consistent effort leads to the least amount of energy consumption; which, equals having more energy for longer.  Running inconsistent miles, meaning speeding up and slowing down over and over, will consume more energy than needed and could lead to being fatigued sooner.   Consistency is something good to practice during your training runs. 

Pick a reasonable time you’d like to try and finish the race in.  You can use this link to help you determine a reasonable goal time:  Pace Calculator .  Then, figure out the average pace per mile you need to run in order to make that time.   This pace should be what you try to stay as close as possible to during the race.   The easiest way to keep track of how fast your going is with a GPS watch (GPS Watches).  Another way is to practice the pace during training so your body gets used to what it feels like.  I used this method one year for a half marathon.  I was wanting to run a 6:00 mile pace for an upcoming race.  One of the things I did were workouts on a track.  I figured out what one lap would be for a six minute pace then divided that by four.  I then set the count down timer on my watch at or close to that time.  I had the watch set so it would count down and beep once it hit zero then automatically start counting down again.  I would then do intervals with the watch.  I would start the count down as I took off.  The goal was to be at the 100 meter mark when the watch started to beep.   If I was to fast or a little behind I could adjust and see where I was at on the next 100 meter.  Doing this over and over allowed me to get used to and feel what a 6:00/mile pace felt like.  I could then run without a watch and be familiar enough with 6:00 pace to be close. ​

If you have the desire to run a half marathon, YOU CAN DO IT!!  Be smart about how you train and implementing the above advice.  Doing so will help in preventing injury and discouragement and provide you with the best opportunity to run a successful race.  

If you don't feel confident in finding or putting the right training plan together, send me an email and let me put a personalized schedule together for you (instriderunner@gmail.com).  You can view a half marathon training plan I've put together in my ENABLE page. 

Good luck in your training.  I would love to hear your success stories and see your finishing photos!

If you want to get faster as a runner, speed work has to be an essential part of training.  Speed work consists of fartleks, intervals, and tempo runs.   Each one of these workouts has a specific purpose in enabling you to become a more stronger, faster runner.  

The hardest part of speed training is knowing how fast each of the different workouts should be run.  If you don't run fast enough or you run too fast, you can miss the benefits of the workout.  Figuring out specific times or pace for each workout can be done; however, it depends on current fitness and goals.  In addition, the time and pace of each workout will change as your fitness improves and goals change.  

Here is a simple way to know how fast to run each workout so you can reap the most benefit.   Instead of trying to figure out a specific pace or time to hit, you are going to use percentage of effort exerted. For instance, 100% effort is a full sprint - you shouldn’t be able to really speak while running at this effort.  80% effort is quick but not all out - you shouldn’t be able to speak in full sentences while running at this effort.  70% effort is a pace requiring some effort to sustain, yet should feel like you can sustain it for 20-30 minutes.  You should be able to speak some words and little sentences at this pace; but, you should not be able to carry on a conversation.   50% is not fast and should feel easy.  You should be able to carry on a conversation at this pace without getting winded. 

Intervals are intended to be done at a fast pace.   Distances of each interval will vary and so will the intensity.  As a simple rule of thumb, any distance from 100m to 200m run at 100%.  Distances from 400m to 800m run between 90-95%.  From 1200m to 1600m run at 85 to 90%.   The rest in between each interval should be long enough so you can perform the next interval at the same level of intensity.  Figure at least a 200m rest (jog) for 100-200m intervals; 400m rest (jog) for 400-800m intervals; 400-600m rest (jog) for 1200-1600m intervals.   

Fartleks, or speed play, will vary in distance and effort as you decide on your run.  For these, figure any thing that will take you under 2 minutes run, do at 90% effort.  From 3-5 minutes run them at 80-85% effort.  Anything over 5 minutes, run at 75-80%.    It may be a little difficult to figure out how long it’s going to take you to run to the next stop sign or light etc. so, just gauge the best you can.  If it looks like a short distance do it at the height percentage of effort.  If it looks like the next object your going to is far away, use the 80-85% effort.  

Tempo runs are not sprints or all out efforts.  These runs cover more distance than intervals and Fartleks (20-30 minutes up to an hour or more).  Do your tempo runs at a 70-75% effort.  This effort should feel “comfortably hard”; meaning, it takes some effort to keep the pace but you feel you can sustain it for at least 20-30 minutes.   Remember, you shouldn’t be able to carry on a conversation at the 70-75% effort; so, if you can, you need to pick it up a bit.  But, if you can’t even say a full sentence, back it down a smidge. 


It will probably take a few workouts before you get use to what each percentage of effort feels like for you.  However, once you get the feel for them, speed work will be much easier to do and you will be able to gain the most from each workout.   To learn more about when you should incorporate each of the different speed workouts into your running, visit my Training Cycle for Runners blog.

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Inspiration comes in many forms.  Recently, mine came from the legendary Garth Brooks. 

Last year I saw part of a Garth Brooks concert on TV.  He was amazing!  His energy and enthusiasm were contagious.  I learned that day Garth was going to be performing concerts in stadiums; I wanted to go to one.

It just so happens Garth Brooks picked the Boise State Stadium, not far from us, as one of his concert stops this year.  My wife was a rockstar and got us tickets.  This past Saturday we went to the Stadium and watched an epic concert by one of the greatest entertainers of all time. It was power!  His energy electrified the crowd as he moved about the stage singing his heart out, yelling and soaking in the moments.  It was hard to miss that he truly loved what he was doing.  His passion radiated from him, through the music, and into the crowd.  

He performed for quite sometime, ending the concert with “The Dance”.  After leaving the stage, the crowd kept clapping and cheering.  Soon Garth was back out for an encore.  But, not just any encore, he stayed out and performed quite a few more songs ending it all with “Standing Outside the Fire”.  It truly was an amazing night.   

For a long time I have dreamed of having a job or career I love.  I want to be excited about what I do....to wake up in the morning excited to start the day.  The night of the concert, I was inspired by Garth.  It’s time for me to go after what I want....to love to what I do!!!

I love running.  I’ve done it on/off for over 35 years now and it’s part of my life.  Where I find the most enjoyment is in coaching other runners.   I gain great satisfaction in helping others become better and reach personal goals.  I love working one on one with individuals and creating training plans unique to them and their goals.  I love getting out and doing some of the training with those I’m coaching.  

I feel I have a gift for running and coaching and have been able to help others progress and succeed.  I don’t have a degree in coaching and have never coached a high school or college team.  However, I have years of personal experience gained through thousands of miles in training and miles and miles of racing.  I competed in Jr. High, High School, and College.  I’ve also competed in many road races and have completed a couple Ultras.   With all that experience, I am able to coach a wide variety of runners ranging from beginners to those who want.... to run competitively.  

Garth’s song “Standing Outside the Fire” speaks to me.  If I want something bad enough, I can’t stand “outside the fire”, I need to get in the flames.  So, this is part of me jumping “into the fire”.  I would love and appreciate your help in making my dream come true....to love what I do.  If you need or would like personal coaching, or know someone who might, I’m here for you.  Send me an email at instriderunner@gmail.com and lets get started.  You can visit my “Enable” page on my website (instriderunnner.com) and check out the coaching section to learn about different options available.  

I don’t want to dream any more.  Let me help you in becoming the best runner possible.