Meanwhile, Novice 1 puts a greater emphasis on the weekdays, spreading the mileage out over slightly longer weekday runs. Novice 2 puts a greater emphasis on the weekends, through longer long runs and longer cross training sessions. You’re also expected to cross train – likely biking, walking, or swimming – for 60 minutes on Sundays.īoth plans are good for beginners. There is a minor addition of speed work in the form of the occasional tempo run at race pace every other Wednesday. The weekday runs don’t change much, but the long run slowly grows about a mile per week until you reach the full 13.1 miles in a race. In Novice 2, you’re running 13 miles over 4 days in week 1. The plan also calls for an increasing amount of cross-training (30-60 minutes) on Saturday. On race day, you make a leap of faith from 10 miles to 13.1. The weekday runs increase slightly – from 3 to 5 miles – and the Sunday long run slowly builds from 4 miles to 10. In Novice 1, you’re running 12 miles over 4 days in week 1. They start out easy, and they gradually build to the half marathon distance. The beginner plans – aka Novice 1 and Novice 2 – are perfect for new runners. Then, there are a couple of other plans for different situations. The advanced plan will help you run a better race, and it has a lot more emphasis on speed and performance than the other plans. The intermediate plans will help you get across the finish line a little stronger, but they still don’t require a huge base of running to complete. The beginner plans are designed to help you finish your first race. Hal’s book contains a variety of half marathon plans. Overview of Hal Higdon Half Marathon Training Plans They’re also not complicated or intimidating. They don’t require a lot of mileage to start. While he does have a more advanced plan for experienced runners, the more popular Hal Higdon half marathon training plans are those geared towards beginners. Whereas people like Pfitz, Hanson, and Jack Daniels are only concerned with “serious” runners looking to get better, Hal’s goal is to help people become runners in the first place. What Makes Hal Special?Īlthough he was competitive back in his day, he writes for an audience that skews towards the novice and intermediate runner. He’s not just for the young ‘uns out here trying to set records. Hal is a choice for the average, every day runner. The basic version is free, but there’s an upgraded version with additional features. You can also download the Run with Hal app. You can also find most of Hal’s training plans on his website. Hal’s book will give you just enough information to do that, and he’ll sprinkle on a bunch of motivation throughout. It’s just a matter of getting out there and doing some easy running. The simple fact is that for most novice runners, the science is irrelevant. If you’re more interested in the science and the “why,” you’d be better served with a book like Steve Magness’ Science of Running or Pete Pfitzinger’s Faster Road Racing.īut that’s not a knock on the book. This book is very much for those who want to know a little bit about why they’re doing certain things, but is more interested in just being told what to do. You won’t find answers to all of your questions about how and why we do certain things, but you also won’t get lost in the science behind running and coaching. Hal explores the basics of how to become a better runner, and his book is easily readable and approachable. His book starts with the history of half marathons, and it then it proceeds to some things that beginning runners will need to know. Unlike other authors who tend to focus on marathons or shorter distances, Hal’s book is geared very directly at half marathons. If you’re thinking about using a Hal Higdon plan to prepare for your next half marathon, you should definitely get a copy of his book on the subject – Hal Higdon’s Half Marathon Training. Where Can I Learn About Hal Higdon’s Half Marathon Training Plans? We’ll take a look at Hal’s book, an overview of his half marathon plans, and the pros and cons to his approach. If you’re looking for a training plan to help you prepare for a half marathon, keep reading. He’s also written a lot of books about writing, and his half marathon training plans are very popular among beginners. Hal Higdon is a runner and a long-time writer for Runner’s World.
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