Seven months is a long time to prepare. Here are seven reasons why that added time can be beneficial and help make training easier next spring.
1) Build a Base Before Winter
Once winter hits, it’s decision time. You can get in the gym and hit the treadmill, but committing to the goal now – while you can still take advantage of some cool running weather – is a great way to get started.
2) Gradual Increases
The most common half marathon training plans usually consist of a 12-week focus. If you’re starting at zero, that’s more than a mile increase each week. Starting 7 months out – nearly 30 weeks – almost triples the time you have to increase distance.
3) Creating the Running Habit
Starting a plan, and finishing it, is difficult. We’ve all jumped into a training program and flaked out before accomplishing our goal. Give yourself more wiggle room to get that habit started.
4) More Rest!
With more gradual increases comes more flexibility for rest days. And let’s face it; you’re going to need those days in the winter.
5) Holiday Indulgence
The holiday season is not the most motivational time for half marathon training – unless it’s a couch-lounging, sweatpants-wearing, binge-watching marathon. Time and time again, potential half marathoners don’t get things started until after the holidays, the turkey, and the football. They’ve dug a hole to start their training. Simply put – get started now, continue through the holidays, and when the turkey has been digested, you won’t be starting from scratch.
6) New Year’s Resolutions
We’ll all have big plans for 2018 when January 1 rolls around. And by February 1, life will likely throw a metaphorical wrench in those plans. By starting now, January 1 would nearly signal the halfway mark in your training.
7) Race Day Ready
There will always be plenty of people who can hyper train, show up, and knock out a half marathon. If you’re not one of them, commit now and develop long-lasting habits to get yourself race day ready.
And have fun!