How I did it: I'd run 10-20 miles a week for a few years, with no real pattern or training goal. Did a little focused training for a 10K in October, and then found that the last several weeks of running mapped on well to Hal Higdon's plan for prepping novices for a half-marathon. It's very sensible and doable, and even though my week-to-week program was sometimes a little short or long, I was ready! I was a little uneasy about having run only 10 miles ahead of time, so I bumped up the last five long runs by a mile, finishing with an 11-mile run a week before the race.

Lessons & tips: It's a pretty awesome feeling of accomplishment to cross the finish line (especially when it was only my third run over 10 miles). Don't over-train--this program, and lots of others like it, will keep you from running too far and risking injury as you prepare.

Resources: http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm

Jan 06, 2011, 09:06AM PST | 0 comments | 3 cheers