I'm training for a half marathon at the end of October (Rock N Roll Halloween edition! - yay)

Im wondering what kind of program//schedule you followed for your first (or any other) half? I'm following Hal Higdon's 1/2 training - it was a 12 week program. At 10 weeks, I think the longest run of 10 miles is scheduled  - does this seem right? I'm a little worried about making the jump from 10-13? Do you think it would be beneficial if I complete an 11-12 mile run before the race? if for no other reason than my anxiety at this point or should I just trust the program?

Right now, my "long" runs are 5 miles. Does it seem reasonable to expect that I'll actually be able to run most of the 1/2 in the next 10 weeks? I guess I'm apprehensive because some of my friends were/are running 8-9 miles at this point in their training so I feel kind of behind. My priority is to start and finish one way or another, but id like to run as much of it as I can. 

Anyone have any advice for me? I'm super excited to be training for this - I never thought I'd be at this point where  it's even a possibility but I'm also a little anxious. 

higdon's plan should be just fine, especially for your first half.  i used a modifed higdon's plan for my first half and also topped out at 10 miles before.  you should be good to go.  best of luck and post your progress leading up to the race.  you'll find out that the best part about prepping for a big race is the journey, the race is just the reward.

 I'm training for the Las Vegas Rock & Roll Half-Marathon in December, as part of Team Challenge (and despirately trying to raise money!) and our training is a 16-week course. I think 5 miles sounds pretty great to be able to do consistantly. I'm only up to 4 miles of walk/run!

Here's a copy of my training schedule:

 

Run/Walk 16 Week Half Marathon Training

 

This program is ideal for the individual who has not run before or who has not run consistently within the past 6-8 months and is looking to complete the half marathon distance (13.1miles).  This program includes a run/walk ratio component.  To start this program you should be able to run/walk 30mins.

 

Week	Date	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
0	Aug 13-Aug 19	2 miles	off	3 miles	Off	Easy 20min walk	30mins as 5/1	Active recovery
1	Aug 20-Aug 26	4 miles	off	3 miles	KickOff 2 miles	Easy 20min walk	40mins as 5/1	Active recovery
2	Aug 27-Sept 2	4 miles	off	4 miles	Off	Easy 20min run	50mins as 7/1	Active recovery
3	Sept 3-Sept 9	4 miles	off	4 miles	Off	Easy 20min run	60mins steady	Active recovery
4	Sept 10-Sept 16	4 miles	off	4 miles	off	Easy25min run	4 miles	70mins as 9/1
5	Sept 17-Sept23	Active recovery	off	4 miles	Off	Easy 25min run	1:20mins as 9/1	Active recovery
6	Sept 24-Sept30	4 miles	off	4 miles	Off	Easy 25min run	45mins steady	Active recovery
7	Oct 1- Oct 7	4 miles	off	3 miles	Off	Easy 20min walk	3 miles	1:30 as 9/1
8	Oct 8- Oct 14	Active recovery	off	5 miles	Off	Easy 25min run	Rest	Acumen Race for a Cause 8K
9	Oct 15-Oct 21	Active recovery	off	6 miles	Off	Easy 30min run	1:40 9/1	Active recovery
10	Oct 22-Oct 28	6 miles	off	4 miles	Off	Easy 30min run	2hours as 9/1	Active recovery
11	Oct 29-Nov 4	5 miles	off	4 miles	off	Easy 20min run	60mins as 9/1	Active recovery
12	Nov 5-Nov 11	5 miles	off	4 miles	Off	Easy 20min run	4 miles	2:15 hour run
13	Nov 12-Nov 18	Active recovery	off	4 miles	Off	Easy 20min run	2:30 as 9/1	Active recovery
14	Nov 19-Nov 25	4 miles	off	3 miles	Off	Easy 20min run	2 miles easy	60mins as 9/1
15	Nov 26-Dec 2	Active recovery	off	2 miles	Rest	Easy 10min to stay loose	Team Fun Run	Race Day J

 

Run/Walk explained – on your long day (Saturday) you will be doing the time run/walk as listed.  For example, week 1 is 5/1, this means to run 5 minutes, then walk 1 minute, then run 5 minutes, walk 1 minute, etc.  During the week workouts, you should try to be building up to the next Saturday’s ratio if possible.  All run/walkers need to be under a 16 minute mile pace on race day.

Active recovery days – these will be good days to do your core work and some cross training to give the ligaments and tendons a chance to recover from the efforts of the week. Add swimming, biking, etc., just try to keep the effort low and the movement smooth.

Events are in red – It is recommended that you do some training events in order to test your fitness and morning nutrition to ensure you can get breakfast down before a run. These also work well to incorporate into your recovery and adaptation

All runs unless otherwise specified are considered “easy.” This means you are able to converse while you run. It is important that you stretch daily after each run for at least 5 minutes focusing on major muscle groups; and 2 days a week for 20 minutes ideally after your long run Day (Saturday) and your Active Recovery day (Sunday).

 Sorry I went with the "El Pablo Special". Yeah just made the **** up as I went.  I finished but had lots of issues on the way.  I tried to follow a plan but I would go out for a 7 mile run and feel good at 3.5 my turn around spot and say hey I got another mile in me.  Yeah I am an idiot.

My advice is to stick with your plan, you will have enough to worry about outside your plan like hydration, nutrition and stretching that the last thing you want to deal with is figuring what your mileage should be.

 Have fun with it I know I did.

 I am having fun - im excited to get up and get my runs in. Ive had a couple runs where Ive felt good so I went a little further than planned. 

Im just ....a little Type A at times. And I like to worry about things that I shouldn't. But I constantly remind myself of what you told me a long time ago just to trust in my training - as long I put the miles in, I WILL finish the half (pretty or not is another issue but finish I will!)

 I'm following the same plan for mine and I'll have about 3 weeks between when I fini**** and the actual race.  I'm a bit like you with the whole planning, worrying thing, so my plan is to go ahead and do a half 2 weeks before on a weekend just to prove I can do it.  I have no clue if that's the right way to go about it, but it will give me some peace of mind.  Then I thought I'd just pick up and repeat the last 2 weeks of the training schedule again so I'm doing what he said the weeks before the race.  

My race is I believe the same weekend as yours (of course on an opposite coast) so I can't report back ahead of time.  Good luck I'm sure no matter what you do it will be ok.