Crazy to go straight to half training from 5K?

wendyj · April 2012

So, I'm currently in a training group to get me ready for a 5K in June since basically taking January-March off from running. I can do the distance, but I am slow - about a minute off of my pace from my last race in December. I'm thinking of joining another training group that begins in at the end of April for a half marathon in October. They have all different ability levels, and you're grouped by pace (they even have a walking only group). Am I stupid for jumping into half training from 5k without doing anything in between, or will I be OK?

stpetegirl · April 2012

That's what i did. I had my first 5k in November and my first half this past Feb. You can always do a 10k as part of your training along the way. It's totally do-able.

stinkerbell6879 · April 2012

I did a 5K in October and my 1st 1/2 by December, so I think you will be fine, there is a good amount of training time as well so it should help you don't increase mileage to fast.

JW28 · April 2012

Given that you've got until October to train for the half I think you'll be fine. You might consider finding a nice 10k to run in July or August, just to give you a good intermediate goal on the way. Even if you're slower than you'd like starting out training for the half, you can always get faster. I've never trained with a group though, so I don't know how the pacing will be for you.