3 Surprising Ways Training for a Half Marathon Can Improve Your Overall Running Fitness (and specific workouts to help you crush it)
Run to the Top Podcast | The Ultimate Guide to Running
RunnersConnect: Coaching Community, Running Experts, Inspiring Runners, No Fluff Blog
4.5 • 936 Ratings
🗓️ 14 April 2023
⏱️ 21 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The half marathon is one of the most underrated distances you can train for and race.
Not only is it a good stepping stone in volume for newer runners, but it's a great way to mix up training for more advanced runners.
In today's episode, Coach Ruiari and Coach Dylan are going to talk about…
- Why moving up or down to the half marathon distance can help you combine speed and strength training.
- Why training for several months consistently is necessary for success in longer races.
- The importance of building your lactate threshold during training, especially for a half marathon
- And specific workouts you can use to crush your next Half Marathon
If you've got an upcoming Half Marathon or are thinking about what to do for your next race, this is a great listen.
Here are some of the sample workouts discussed…
Fartlek (short variation):
Option 1: 15 x 1' at LT, 1' min at MP + 20-40s
Option 2: 2 x 10 x 1' at LT, 1' min at MP + 20-40s ( 4 min between sets)
Option 3: 15 x 1' at LT, 1' min at MP + 20-40s, 4 min rest, 10 x 1' at T, 1' min at MP + 20-40s, 4 min rest, 5 x 1' at LT, 1' min at MP + 20-40
Fartlek (long variation):
Option 1: After a warmup do, 6 miles of 400m at 10k pace, 1200m at MP
Option 2: After a warmup do, 6 - 7 miles of 800m at T to HM pace, 800m at MP
Option 3: After a warmup do, 6 - 8 Miles of 1 mile at T to HM pace, 1 mile at MP
Threshold Intervals:
Option 1: After a warmup, 4 x 1 mile at lactate threshold pace with 60 second continuous jog recoveries
Option 2: After a warmup, 10 x 800 meters at lactate threshold pace with 60 seconds continuous jog recoveries
Option 3: After a warmup, 3 x 2 miles at lactate threshold pace with 2-3 minute continuous jog recoveries
Cutdown Session:
8 miles at Marathon Pace plus 40 - 50s, cutting down 10 seconds per mile
Example: 2 mile warmup, Miles 2-10 (8:00, 7:50, 7:40, 7:30, 7:20, 7:10, 7:00, 6:50, 6:40, 6:30), 2 mile cool down
HM Pace Specific Sessions:
6 x 1 mile at goal HM pace (60s jog recoveries)
4 x 2 Miles at goal HM pace (3 min jog recoveries)
6-8 miles at goal HM pace (continuous after warmup miles)
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hello fellow runners. I'm your host Finn Melanson and this is the run to the top |
| 0:14.2 | podcast the podcast dedicated to making you a better runner with each and every |
| 0:18.9 | episode. We are created and produced by the expert team of coaches here at runners connect |
| 0:23.6 | net where you can find the best running information on the internet as well as |
| 0:27.6 | training plans to fit every runner in every budget. The Half Marathon is one of the most underrated distances you can train for in race. |
| 0:46.8 | Not only is it a good stepping stone and volume for newer runners, but it's a great way to |
| 0:50.5 | mix up training for more advanced runners as well. |
| 0:53.3 | In today's episode, Coach Rory and Coach Dylan are going to talk about why moving up or |
| 0:57.7 | down to the half marathon distance can help you combine speed and strength training, why training for several months |
| 1:04.2 | consistently is necessary for success in longer races, the importance of |
| 1:08.2 | building your lactate threshold during training, especially for a half marathon, |
| 1:11.6 | and specific workouts you can use to |
| 1:14.2 | crush your next half marathon. Enjoy and leave us a comment if you have any |
| 1:18.7 | questions about the half marathon distance or how to approach your |
| 1:21.8 | training. If you're looking for the best way to get motivated, |
| 1:28.0 | improved performance and recovery and increased focus for your upcoming races, |
| 1:32.0 | you'll love the new perform from the Amino Company. |
| 1:35.2 | I'll tell you more about them later in this episode or you can check out the research at Aminoco.com |
| 1:41.3 | backslash R. T. T. |
| 1:45.4 | Lagoon specializes in making pillows designed specifically for runners and |
| 1:49.4 | athletes to help you optimize your sleep and recovery. |
| 1:52.1 | Learn more at lagoon sleep. |
... |
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