Wednesday, 7 June 2017

Basic Guides In Preparing For Half Marathons

By David Hughes


Half marathons are road running events with the distance that is half of a marathon race and growing steadily popular. This is because the distance is challenging but the training required is not the same when doing marathons. They are usually held together with a marathon using the same course by either starting late or finishing early.

More events are held every year due to more participants joining them. An example of this is half marathon London race which you could join when you are in the area. But before you could participate in them, you should train yourself so injuries could be avoided while finishing the event. Here are a few basic guides that you could follow.

Build a solid base under the feet by running fifteen miles in total a week and do at least five miles in one of the days as the longest one. This would help in acclimating yourself in your new workout meant for this race and not overwhelming your body. If the base is weak when starting the new training, your body would work twice as hard and may cause injury.

Choose a training plan to follow which ranges from eight to sixteen weeks depending on the content like workout types, weekly mileage and frequency. Research carefully about these plans and determine which of them you are capable of doing from beginning to the end. Choose a longer one specially if this is your first time.

Having quality practice runs is better than quantity ones because the more times you are running, the more chance of getting injured. There should be runs where it helps build the ability to convert oxygen into energy by the body and your endurance. The purpose in doing this is in becoming the fastest one but being able to finish the race.

Other kinds of training can be done, like aerobic cross training or light resistance, is helpful also during the days without running sessions so your fitness could be optimized. Cross ones involved cycling, swimming and using elliptical or row machines. Light resistance ones are targeting the upper body and the core to help in maintaining good form and fighting fatigue off.

Find a group to train with by either enrolling in one with a coach as a leader or inviting your friends to do this with you. This can make a difference because you would be responsible in attending the sessions knowing that others are waiting for you. They can also be a source of encouragement when having a tough run or fighting fatigue off.

Do an advance research on the race including the sports drink which would be provided by them and use this during practice. Do not use those that you were not able to try when practicing and if you prefer another one then ask your friends and family if they could stake out on the route. Locate where portable potties and aid stations are in cases of emergencies.

Remember to rest your body so it would have time in rebuilding and in repairing your muscles. If you skip this then your body and its recovering ability will be burdened and make you more prone to injuries. Check the rate of your resting heart if it is higher than normal by a bit which means you are lacking in rest.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment