How to Train for Your Best Half Marathon

[@x3i4n]

i did 3 half marathon's in my life. 1:44, 1:36, 1:34. I will follow your tips and try to break the 1:30. Thanks!

[@HarryRunsUK]

Excellent progression already, sub 1:30 can't be too far away!

[@TheDaydjahy]

Did you break it? :)

[@akakid4814]

Thank you for the advice. Ive been soaking in all your tips and applying it to my training. I always race Halfs and my PR was 1:33 just last year. I decided to try a Full Marathon. I trained a high mileage and went up to 80 miles a week at my peak. When I did my marathon last March I finished 2:54:34! I BQ’d and PR’d my half at 1:21:27 during the marathon itself!! Thanks again!

[@thatvegancouple]

Hey mate, your videos are so helpful! We just watched a few and need to spend some time watching more ... we've got our eye on a half marathon, so all your tips and knowledge are much appreciated! Thanks for the inspiration :)

[@HarryRunsUK]

Thanks for the kind words guys! Lots more tips, training advice and coaching videos on the way. Good luck with your half marathon preparations. Happy running!

[@the4wattsies681]

Great video, I'm running in my first half marathon in three weeks and this was a big help.
Thanks, Jay

[@HarryRunsUK]

Great to hear. Good luck in your first half and let me know how it goes!

[@bobla7779]

Sweet vid man, will definitely use these for the up coming halfa! Would be pretty sweet to know your stretching routine too

[@HarryRunsUK]

+SugarMan Sure thing Jaryd! Hope your preparations go well.

[@ddcatdo]

thank you for advice! I am currently training for my first half marathon.

[@HarryRunsUK]

+Kara C great to hear! Good luck with your training and preparations!

[@maryswenson5357]

Great tips I'm going to run 2 half marathons this summer.

[@WineandBeauty]

Happy to have found your channel! I'm just getting into running - just did my first 5K (and finished in just under 45 min!). The Indy Mini-Marathon is next May. That's 10 months from now, so I'm starting to train now! I'm super excited and need all the tips I can find!

[@HarryRunsUK]

Wow that's fantastic, great to have you along and I wish you all the best in your training! Great job on completing your first 5km :-) Just take things slow, never ask too much of your body too soon and stay consistent! If you have any specific running requests let me know. Happy running.

[@WineandBeauty]

Thanks!! I know one problem I do have is trying to do too much too soon. I actually need to force myself to take rest days (but I do do that, because I know it's important!)
But I'm THRILLED that I did my very first 13 minute mile today! Even though it's 10 months away, honestly, I'd be happy to run it averaging 15/16 per mile.

[@HarryRunsUK]

That's inspiring Keri-Ann. Keep it up!

[@ChambersHonda83]

Found a new favourite running channel, keep it up harry this was extremely helpful for me. Looking forward to to next video on running form!

[@HarryRunsUK]

+MotoGoProVids Thanks for watching!

[@lizgreen2936]

Brilliant Harry my sis in law doing her first half Marathon in great Scottish run in October she's in a 5k weekly club just now for her speed running ...your tips will really help her!!!...thanks...Liz..x

[@HarryRunsUK]

Fantastic, I wish her all the best of luck . Make sure she subscribes always more videos on the way! I hope her preparations go well and if she needs any further help she can always email: [e-mail] Happy running! :-)

[@TheFODRunner]

Great video Harry! This year I am focusing more and more on quality over quantity and my training is going amazing! I've done a few track sessions as per your email to me last month and it's making a huge difference, I can't thank you enough and hopefully I can report back that I achieve my 1.25 time for my hm in March! Keep up the great work!

[@HarryRunsUK]

+Andy Raynor Excellent! Keep it up Andy, stay consistent and everything will just get faster! Make sure you let me know!

[@TheVizzle]

Hey man, awesome timing as I've got my first half marathon coming up at the end of February! I'll take all these tips on board.

[@HarryRunsUK]

+TheVizzle Great! Hope preparations go well. Let me know how it goes!

[@raqheemmohdariffin5435]

Excellent tips for HM. Thanks for the guidance

[@tomrankin2564]

Got my first half trial run next month.
In South Wales 👍🏻

[@keithg9594]

Very helpful. Some real practical advice here.Thank you🏃🏃🏃🏃

[@HarryRunsUK]

+Keith G Great to hear Keith! My pleasure.

[@dzhuwao]

Practical tips. Thanks Harry.

[@ibz3293]

Awesome video, doing my first half marathon in early march and then the london marathon in late April...this video was really really helpful :)))

[@HarryRunsUK]

+Ibrahim K Great to hear! That sounds like a good run of races coming up, London will be great fun. Have you got a goal time? Get in touch over email if you have any specific questions or need anymore advice!

[@AlexBensonAlex]

Definitely agree with the listening to your body and taking an extra day off if needed. I got some bad shin splints from not listening. Now I'm 8 weeks out from my first half marathon with only ever hitting 10k distance.

[@HarryRunsUK]

Hey Alex, sorry to hear about your shin troubles. It's too easy as runners to get carried away with training especially when motivation is high leading to a race. It sucks to be injured but you will come back stronger no doubt and the experience gained invaluable. Good luck and recover well!

[@AlexBensonAlex]

+Harry Runs cheers mate

[@alichambers3720]

This information &tips are brilliant!thanks

[@HarryRunsUK]

Thank you Ali. I hope your running training is going well!

[@AlexZdvorak]

Great advice Harry. Love the videos!

[@HarryRunsUK]

+Alex Zdvorak Thanks, I'm expecting more from you soon!

[@michal_kowal]

Thanks Harry. Awesome tips!!

[@HarryRunsUK]

+VeganPower Thanks Michal! Keep up your videos!

[@tonybryant2243]

Right into it I like this guy

[@jaybirdpalau]

Very helpful videos with useful practical info.

[@carinamaren7779]

thanks for putting this together!

[@HarryRunsUK]

No problem!

[@matp8493]

Sound advice Harry, thanks

[@StanislavGrabchev]

Good one!!! Keep up

[@HarryRunsUK]

+Stanislav Thanks!

[@FordyRuns]

Great video and anyone looking to do a half should check this out....

[@becstafa3]

Thank you for the advice!

[@HarryRunsUK]

Thanks for appreciating it, good luck on your running journey!

[@The1Devotion]

Thank you !

[@TristanWardCoombe]

nice video, thanks for the tips

[@rukisan159]

Very helpful! Gonna sub! Thanks!

[@HarryRunsUK]

+rukisan159 Great to have you here! Thanks for the support!

[@Maerque]

I agree, going plant based improved my health and recovery time a lot!

[@VinylUnboxings]

Altras are great, but if youre used to 8-12mm drops, ease in gradually

[@HarryRunsUK]

+VinylUnboxings yes for sure, the same goes for any shoe if you are making a transition away from what your feet, body and form are accustomed to. Great input!

[@richevans9727]

Hi Harry, I have recently subscribed and I an enjoying watching your videos, so keep it up! You mentioned one thing in this video that is very interesting to me. You mentioned a reduction in DOMS due to a more plant based diet. Do you have any more information on this? I always struggle for days after a longer effort, or harder workout so all information would be appreciated.

[@sarastepp5488]

Great tips! Thank you for the awesome video! I'm looking forward to starting a new training cycle for a half-marathon soon. It's great to have this info in my head as I plan my program. Do you have any tips for fuel during the long runs? (I always have trouble with whether/when/what kind of fuel to take during runs lasting longer than 60 or 90 minutes...)

[@HarryRunsUK]

It's a pleasure to put videos out there that have true value to runners! Sounds exciting as you prepare for your upcoming half-marathon. For fuel during long runs, gels are often the fuel of choice for many runners, as they are light, easy to carry and just pure energy. However they are pretty expensive and there are cheaper alternatives. Personally I usually train without gels, on longer runs I may take dried fruit, dates, bananas, raisins to chew on or even some sweet electrolyte mix in a bottle. Focus on carbohydrates for mid run food, the easier to digest the better, hence the practicality of gels, but you can make your own homemade, processing up some dates and put them in little baggies. Good luck in your training! Happy running :-)

[@erniejuarez-realtor1745]

Thank you for the great tips. Any pointers on breathing during a run. I'm running a half marathon in 3 weeks and still find myself struggling at times with my breathing. Thank you

[@williamdowdall7458]

did my second half marathon last weekend I,m 50 years young my first one did it in 1;48 and second one did it in 1;38 is that good for my age

[@fraserslife8399]

Yes very!!!

[@ChambersHonda83]

Video request : How to help prevent / get rid of shin splints.

[@HarryRunsUK]

+MotoGoProVids Thanks, consider it in the works! Do you suffer yourself?

[@ryanholt6073]

thanks for the tips!

[@HarryRunsUK]

Glad they are helpful for you, are you training for a half marathon at the moment?

[@ryanholt6073]

+Harry Runs actually completed my first half marathon at the Pattaya Marathon a few months ago. Will run my second half in Nakhon Pathom at the Hanuman Run this coming weekend. Anyways, I appreciate your videos. it's easy enough to get info about running on the net but getting tips from someone with experience running in Thailand and speaking English is great. Cheers!

[@HarryRunsUK]

Fantastic work! Good luck this weekend. Thanks for the support and maybe see you at a race sometime! Happy running.

[@DANIEL-ls5ku]

Say it in km please..

[@anupamdasgupta2641]

Great stuff

[@HarryRunsUK]

Thanks!

[@anupamdasgupta2641]

most welcome Harry!

[@opponent4540]

really helpful thanka

[@opponent4540]

i wouldn't mind a video on shoes etc., a bit of an expansion on tip #7... about drop, cushioning, minimalist shoes, trail shoes and so on.
once again thanks for the tips. appreciate it.

[@HarryRunsUK]

+o p p o n e n t Great suggestion I've got a lot to say on this topic will definitely get a video together on this!

[@naorjun]

How about run it with 5finger shoes? What's your thoughts on that?

[@HarryRunsUK]

Five fingers are great for walking and hanging out, but I'm not a fan of them for running. A lot of stress and injury risk on the body. People make it work and I'm impressed by those who run big distances in them but there not for me.

[@CurvedXice67]

I’m doing my first half marathon race in June, hoping to do sub 1:31

[@MegaRambell]

I have a couple of questions. Do you think 6 months is too short a time to train for a half marathon? I was a fairly regular runner up until a couple of years ago, mostly doing 5-10k each run, but never over 10k, so i think i could quickly get back into it but I've been quite sedentary for while now, although I do cycle and walk a lot, but nothing too intense really. Also, if it is possible to train for it without it taxing your body, how much is a good amount to increase the distance by each week?

[@HarryRunsUK]

I would six months should be plenty to train for a half especially if you have some sort of running history and not just approaching running for the first time. Yes you should start back very slowly with just very easy runs twice a week, increase your time/distance by no more than 10% week on week. Focus on eating a healthy balanced diet, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, plant based approach is best, this will allow your body to heal, recover fast and stay healthy. Sleep well and have fun with your training, mix it up. If you'd like any specific coaching help give me an email: [e-mail] . Happy running!

[@brunomayoria6322]

What do you think would be a good base level of fitness before attempting my first half marathon training plan? Currently going back to basics to work on form and avoid injury. Prepping for a 5k soon with a half planned in the fall (November).

[@HarryRunsUK]

Hey Bruno, I would recommend working up to a consistent 6 weeks of running at least 4-5 times a week aiming for approx 45km's per week. Anything above this is fantastic but making sure your body is handling the consistent running within the base phase without any issues, major fatigue or injuries is key before stepping up the volume further and raising the intensity.

[@mariappanmari3112]

Please tamil translation

[@Audit_Reactions]

great advice! im on around 40 miles a week focusing on 5k.

[@HarryRunsUK]

+The Vegan Runner Great, that's a great foundation of miles to work on all sorts if disciplines. I'm putting out a 5k video today hopefully have some useful tips/ideas to help! What's your PR?

[@Audit_Reactions]

16:54

[@xandersmith9758]

Hey Harry, whats your half marathon PR ?

[@HarryRunsUK]

1:11:58. It's been some time and there is certainly faster times in the legs!

[@tomkilbane9403]

Im training for a half marathon currently running 3-5 miles every tues and thurs, then doing a long run on the weekend. My long run is currently around 10miles. Is 2 runs during the week enough or should i up this to 3 or 4?? also how many rest days should i have before the big day of the half marathon??

[@HarryRunsUK]

If you are feeling comfortable with your current regime then I would certainly recommend bumping up your running and adding another day to your program. Just keep the added day easy miles for now and listen to your body, start off with just a shorter run for this day and then gradually you should be able to increase the miles. With regards to rest days prior to the race if training has gone well I would recommend cutting down your mileage 10 days before the race, still run though of course. Week of the race if the race is on Sunday for example. I would recommend a rest day on the Friday , easy jog on the Saturday to open up the legs and have them feeling light and fast for race day. Everyone is different though and as your fitness builds you will notice that you may feel sluggish and slow the day following a rest day, so I always recommend runners run or at least walk the day before a race. If running something very easy paced for 20-30 minutes is more than enough and often helpful in calming pre race nerves.

[@tomkilbane9403]

Thanks alot i always run alone so this being my first official race should also help me through more

[@HarryRunsUK]

Without a doubt, being a start line will give you a huge boost! Happy running :-)

[@SotaMaehara]

damn, this video is 8 mins 15 secs. Your intro took you 15 secs. That means you averaged a minute per tip, weird coincidence but interesting haha

[@HarryRunsUK]

wow thanks for the stats Sota, it must be the drummer in me keeping rhythm.

[@TheMrjoshhb]

What's your best half marathon Harry? I did my first one last week and got 1.27.17

[@HarryRunsUK]

Great time Josh! My PR is 1.11, but know there is a faster time in the legs :-)