So, you’ve decided to take on a couch to half marathon training plan? Congratulations, that is an ambitious and exciting goal; welcome to the running world! If you are new to the sport, you may think that running just entails throwing on a pair of sneakers and heading out the door, but there is a … Read more
So, you want to walk a half marathon? That’s a great goal! Walking a half marathon is a wonderful way to jumpstart your fitness, prepare your body for running (if that’s your goal), and feel accomplished. While walking is less impactful on the body than running, it still requires training. Walking 13.1 miles or 21 … Read more
Running a half marathon can be very taxing. Recovering from running 13.1 miles takes time for your body to repair the damage, build back stronger, and prevent any running injuries. A lot of runners wonder how many days to take off after a half marathon. The answer depends on a lot of different factors. Many … Read more
Hill workouts should have a place in most runners’ training programs as their importance to performance cannot be underestimated. Most of us have heard of traditional hill workouts, but what about Kenyan Hills? The increase in specific leg strength that hills develop will make an athlete more efficient as their running economy improves. Research suggests … Read more
Over the years, marathon and half marathon shoes have improved by miles (pun intended) in technology, performance, and comfort. With so many amazing running shoes, how do you choose which is the best for you? Whether you’re a half marathon newbie or veteran, selecting a pair of shoes for your event can be a tough … Read more
Mile repeats are one of the most versatile and effective workouts for runners. Indeed, part of the magic of mile repeats is the fact that runners racing nearly any distance can benefit from this solid workout session. By manipulating the number of reps, intensity, recovery intervals, and the terrain, runners can use mile repeats to … Read more
Aside from the 5k, the half marathon is the most popular race distance worldwide, with 2.1 million participants in 2018, according to the International Institute of Sports Medicine. Many runners gravitate towards the half marathon because it’s a nice sweet spot between the shorter distances like the 5k and 10k and the unforgiving and time-consuming … Read more
Long runs are the bread and butter of any long-distance running, including the half marathon. They are where you build endurance and mental toughness, and prepare the body to go the distance. But how long should your longest half marathon long run be? The number of miles for your longest long run can vary widely … Read more
One of my fondest memories of running was going to train at the local grass football pitch as a young boy. The coach would have us run a series of quick runs, as fast as we could, along the lengths of the pitch, and then we had to run slow on the widths. At the … Read more
So how many miles is a half marathon, seems like an easy enough question. The official half marathon distance is 13.1094 miles or 21.0975 kilometers in length. This is how long any standard half marathon that you enter would (or should) be. (For a full marathon it is just double this, 26.219 miles or 42.195 kilometers.) This … Read more
Whether we run road or trail, long runs are crucial for our training as they prepare our bodies and minds for our goal race mileage. If you ever need to skip a training session, please, don’t sacrifice the long run! During long runs, you simulate your race by practicing your well-thought-out nutrition, hydration, and gear … Read more
Cross training for runners is an essential part of a sustainable, healthy, strong, and injury-free running journey. By mixing up your training plan with other activities – be it strength training, yoga, or swimming – cross training is important for helping you level up your running and hit new PRs. But when done incorrectly, cross … Read more
Have your runs become routine and maybe a little boring? Do you find yourself settling into the same pace for every run and zoning out as you cover the miles? If so, maybe it’s time to add fartleks to your routine and consider experimenting with this type of run for a literal change of pace … Read more
Tips for half marathon training are essential while training for your race. You can always download a training plan to get ready for the big day – but expert guidance can help the experience be more effective and positive for you. Training for a half marathon is exciting – it’s a great goal and a … Read more
Running a sub 2 hour half marathon is a great benchmark for the 13.1 mile distance: it shows a certain level of training and underlying fitness. It also just so happens to be slightly faster than average – the average half marathon time is 2 hours and 55 seconds! Aiming to break the 2 hour … Read more