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I want to talk about my favorite race distance, the half marathon, and why it is perfect for me, and possibly for you too. Plus I’m sharing a half-specific speed workout.
Prior to 2020, based on surveys by Running USA, the half marathon was the fastest-growing distance in racing. While the most recent survey (2017) is no longer available, it indicated that participation in the distance was more than 50% female. While there was a general decline in racing starting in 2018, the half marathon remained very popular.
In 2020 80% of runners reported less participation in racing (for obvious reasons), but most planned to race more frequently in 2021. In this survey, which was taken in late 2020, 64% of runners said that they planned to participate in more running events in the coming year. While these numbers ranged along all race distances, past surveys have indicated that the half marathon will continue to be very popular among runners. source
8 Reasons the Half Marathon is the Perfect Race Distance
This many people can’t be wrong! Especially when they agree with me. Here are the reasons that the half marathon is the perfect race distance.
- Half marathon training can fit into a busy person’s schedule. Unlike a marathon, with runs up to 20 miles and beyond, the training distances for the half are manageable. Depending on one’s goals, a person can train for a half marathon running three or four days per week with as little as 20-25 total miles.
- A half marathon is a challenging race that requires training and finishing gives a person a great sense of accomplishment.
- A new runner can successfully train for a half marathon without as large a risk of injury as with a marathon. While adding on mileage too quickly can lead to injury at any distance, the relatively low mileage needed to train for a first half marathon makes it a lot less risky. Plus, running a half marathon is an obvious first step before jumping to the full 26.2.
- Half marathons are great for long-time, multi-marathon runners who still love to run, and love endurance events, but don’t want to or can’t run 26.2 anymore.
- Marathon training can be all-consuming. Families may feel neglected when you spend a good part of your precious weekend time out on the road, not to mention the several other days per week you’re training. There is a lot less time commitment to train for a half.
- You still get an awesome finisher’s medal.
- Whether you’re a speedster out for a PR or prefer to dress up and take pictures, you’ll be done within a few hours, can recover quickly, and be ready to go dancing in the evening.
- No. More. 20. Milers.
So, have I convinced you? If not, consider this. While the price of races has increased for all distances, there are still many smaller races that cost about $60-$70 to enter. Not so the marathon, where you would be hard-pressed to find a race that costs less than $100, and many are double that amount.
Half Marathon Speed Workout
If you are ready to start taking your half marathon to the next level, you will need to add some speed work to your training plan. There are two specific types of workouts that will help you get faster at this distance, threshold (or tempo) workouts, which are sustained runs of two to six miles run at your lactate threshold pace, and long interval workouts, generally run on a track, repetitions of 400 to 1600 meters at a faster pace than the tempo run. You will find examples of both types of workouts here.
This speed workout is specific to longer distance races, marathons or half marathons, because of the longer intervals and slightly slower pace. It calls for you to run each interval at a pace relative to your current 10k pace. Haven’t run a 10k lately? You can use this calculator to figure it out based on other distances you may have run. Then convert it to pace per mile.
Other things to know: After your warm-up, do some strides to really get those legs moving and the blood flowing. Do a stride by gradually accelerating to about 85% of your maximum speed, hold that pace for about a third of the total stride distance, then decelerate for the final third. Catch your breath for about a minute, then do the next stride.
Follow the strides with about five minutes of dynamic stretching and drills. Save your static stretching for after the workout. Doing them before your workout or race can actually slow you down.
Do you love the half marathon as much as I do? What’s next on your racing schedule? I’m running the Temecula Half Marathon this weekend!
And Now It’s Time for the Runners’ Roundup!
Weekly Linkups
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Tuesday Topics with Kim and Zenaida
The Runners’ Roundup with Deborah, Lisa, Jenn, and Me!
The Weekly Run Down with Deborah and Kim
Fit Five Friday with Darlene, Michelle, Renee, Jenn, and Zenaida
Ultimate Coffee Date with Deborah and Coco
Good luck with the Temecula Half!
I do like a half marathon for all the reasons you stated. Training for a marathon is extremely time-consuming – at some point, all you do is run, eat, sleep!
Also, the older I get, the more time I need to recover from a marathon, so I need to factor that in, too.
Thank you though I ended up skipping the race. I still love half marathons though!
I agree- the half is a really great distance. Its still a good challenge and great accomplishment but it wont take over your life the same way marathon training does. This looks like a great speed workout!
Exactly! You can still have a life when you’re training for a half marathon.
I completely agree it’s a great distance that most people can train for and feel a great sense of accomplishment from completing
Yes, the half marathon is very challenging but also doable.
No more 20 milers, indeed! I would love to do more half marathons. I just don’t know if I can wrap my brain around it. I guess never say never!
Exactly! Training for any longer distance is a process. You start small and gradually increase the challenge.