How to Walk a Half Marathon + Training Plan (From a Run Coach)

How to Walk a Half Marathon + Training Plan (From a Run Coach) - Fitness Health

Product selections are carefully evaluated. We might get commissions and revenue when you visit these web sites. Walking half marathons isn't as difficult as they seem. During the 13.1-mile hike, it's worth the physical effort that takes to get your feet to work. Walking half marathon training plan can be incredibly challenging, but few people are willing to take a long walk with intense effort. I write this comprehensive guide to show you the basics for running half marathons. We will show you the best training strategies to run half marathons and how long it takes to run.

Is It Okay to Walk a Half Marathon?

Yeah! Almost all half marathon runners walk for different reasons - mainly simply because they are capable. In training you can start to wonder how much long distance walk this will take and whether it will make you a better choice. Congratulations, it's a NORMAL-run community. It is common for athletes during exercise and it's scary to get a freak out. We've gotten more positive things than we've got negatives to worry about.

how to walk a marathon

Do you have to do a 13-mile walk to train for walking a half marathon?

Yes, you don't even have to walk a full 13.1 miles for a marathon. Typically a person walking 7 miles could probably complete half-marathon races. But the more you walk while you train walk half marathons, the more difficult it is to go on a full marathon walk. Therefore, it's better to walk 10 kilometers long if training for half marathons.

You may want to see your health care provider for a physical and agreen light to exercise depending on your age and fitness level

Even though walking is considered a safe activity by everybody, you may need your doctor to make sure you answer your questions correctly. This page provides a link to those questions asked using this form. This question is particularly vital in men aged 45 and over and women aged 50 or older. It is the best way to determine if there's something you should visit.

What's the Average Time to Walk a Half Marathon?

The length of time needed for completing half marathons is dependent on your walking routine, speed and terrain. The average person who walks Half Marathons takes 3.5-5 hours and the time can vary depending on the factors. Typical walking times are 15-22 minutes per person. If the race involves rolling hills or a major climb, it may take a person more than five hours to walk. Do you walk very fast? Most people estimate an average half marathon walk time between 3 and 6 hour periods. If you reach 15 – 22 minute paces at a pace of about 4 hrs per day you could complete a half marathon.

Do I Need to Train to Walk a Half Marathon?

Okay, absolutely, we need you to be free from injuries and enjoy yourself. This distance is longer than 21 miles and will require some time on your hands. Even though many are able to run without training, it doesn't seem wise at best. Training is essential to prevent injury and retain energy. The median completion time in half marathons is between three hours and four hours. It’s incredibly time consuming. Think of your tiredness as a city walk, or a trip to the beach. Take a closer look if it'll never stop you from getting a meal or drink at your favorite places.

Complete the Race Post Injury Recovery

During my preparations for the 2017 Chicago Marathon a metatarsa fracture prevented a complete nine-week suspension. In the first two days of running Chicago Marathons, only the running technique worked. When an injury is recovered and leaves you with little exercise time, walking half marathons may help to get you there faster. Always consult a physician before competing for an injury.

Days of Training

You should consider walking or cross training four or six days a week which increases muscle strength and improves form but reduces the chance of injury. A good idea is to build your mileage daily gradually. Ideally an excellent half-marathon training program will include it in their training strategy. Keep in mind when training you will go hard with hard days or easy days or hard week or difficult week with easy weeks. It helps you recover during longer walking sessions, as you improve your walking endurance, and strength.

How do you protect against blisters from walking A Half Marathon?

Walking long periods can cause blisters and pockets if there is swollen skin. Protect the feet of your feet from blisters with a body glider or anti-chafing stick. You may also wish to wear slip resistant shoes like Swiftwick or moleskin for added security. What are the best ways to prevent a blemish from your running shoes?

Choose a Walker-Friendly Half Marathon

Before joining any race, make sure you can meet cut-offs without any stress. These vary drastically according to the race and range between 7 and 5.5 hours in length. Marathon trails will have shorter cutoff times due to difficulty. The typical cutoff for the average marathon distance is around 6 hours, and since the Half Marathon frequently has the same course this is usually the same cutoff. You must read the course details before you start. The best options for backcountry runners are:

Long Walks

Long hikes simulate physical challenges of the marathons. Long runs are probably the best part of half marathon training schedule and plans. Long walks act like strength training, helping muscles adjust easily to the stress caused by running. You may already know about muscle speed differences. As the walk gets harder, you activate more slow-motion muscles. Slow-movement muscle is actually more dense in the mitochondrial & capillary compartments. What was the impact of completing half marathons?

Your Cross Training

Cross training in the training schedule is included in the program to aid in working the muscles that were neglected while walking. This helps them stay stable when building walking habits. Cross training requires aerobic activity such as running and some form strength training program. This is my favourite video Cross Training workout on YouTube. This package contains aerobics training as well running coach well as strength training.

Can I Walk a Half Marathon in Running Shoes?

It's also possible for runners to run half a marathon. However, acquiring the proper footwear to walk will prevent discomfort. Remember the different running patterns for each step. Running shoes offer better support as our body takes longer to break down. Walking shoes have fewer cushions so it is softer and more durable compared to running footwear. 

16 Week Half Marathon Training Walking Program

16-Week Half Marathon Walking Training Schedule:

Weeks 1-4: Building the Base

- Monday: Rest

- Tuesday: 3 miles easy walking

- Wednesday: Rest or cross-training

- Thursday: 3 miles easy walking

- Friday: Rest

- Saturday: Cross-training (30 minutes)

- Sunday: Long walk (starting at 4 miles and increasing by 1 mile each week)

Weeks 5-8: Enhancing Endurance

- Monday: Rest

- Tuesday: 4 miles easy walking

- Wednesday: Rest or cross-training

- Thursday: 4 miles with hills or speed intervals

- Friday: Rest

- Saturday: Cross-training (45 minutes)

- Sunday: Long walk (starting at 6 miles and increasing by 1 mile each week)

Weeks 9-12: Building Distance

- Monday: Rest

- Tuesday: 5 miles easy walking

- Wednesday: Rest or cross-training

- Thursday: 5 miles with hills or speed intervals

- Friday: Rest

- Saturday: Cross-training (1 hour)

- Sunday: Long walk (starting at 8 miles and increasing to 10 miles)

Weeks 13-16: Tapering and Race Prep

- Monday: Rest

- Tuesday: 4 miles easy walking

- Wednesday: Rest or cross-training

- Thursday: 4 miles easy walking

- Friday: Rest

- Saturday: Cross-training (30 minutes)

- Sunday: Long walk (decrease mileage each week from 10 to 8 to 6, then down to 3 miles the final week, before the race)

During this program:

- Take rest days seriously to avoid overtraining and injuries.

- Cross-training could include activities like cycling, swimming, or yoga to improve cardiovascular fitness and flexibility without the impact of walking.

- Always start with a warm-up and end with a cool-down and stretching session.

- As you get closer to the half marathon date, begin to simulate the race day conditions during your long walks, including starting time, nutrition, and gear.

What should you eat for walking a half marathon?

If you have a long walk you need fuel. You're going to need carbohydrates to break up your blood sugar to produce a lot of energy. In addition, drink sports beverages to get the electrolytes needed to function properly. Related.

Add In A Warm Up and Cool Down

Keep your body warm while you run. A 5 minute recovery period before the start of training can be the difference between an injured marathon walker and an injured runner.

Your Pace during this half marathon training walking program

Taking a daily walk should be simple. You have to talk to your friends. As a first timer, it is not advisable to push hard on every training walk because of the risk. So make two walks each week, at a relatively slow brisk walking pace and one with a slightly harder walking pace. Once you start to feel comfortable walking and adjusting your pace, you can gradually increase the pace of your walk. Your daily walk should be comfortable. This walk is geared to building up the confidence in the people.

8 Tips for Training to Walk a Half Marathon

Training to complete a half marathon might become an exciting challenge on your fitness journey. Here are 8 ways you can improve your fitness and performance at walking race events:

 

1. Start Slow and Build Gradually: Begin with shorter distances and increase your mileage slowly each week to build endurance without risking injury.

2. Consistency is Key: Aim to walk regularly, several times a week, sticking to your training schedule to build the stamina needed strength train for a half marathon.

3. Cross-Train for Overall Fitness: Incorporate activities like cycling, swimming, or strength training sessions to improve your overall fitness, which will help your walking performance.

4. Focus on Proper Walking Form: Keep your posture straight, shoulders down, arms swinging naturally, and make sure your foot strikes the ground heel first with each step.

5. Invest in Good Walking Shoes: Ensure you have comfortable, supportive walking shoes to prevent blisters and injuries.

6. Hydrate and Fuel Your Body: Practice good nutrition and hydration during long distance during your training. Experiment with snacks and drinks to find what works best for you on long walks.

7. Simulate Race Conditions: Train under conditions similar to those you'll experience on race day, such as weather, terrain, and starting time.

8. Rest and Recover: Incorporate rest days into your training schedule to allow your body to recover and prevent overuse injuries. Listen to your body—if you need an extra day off, take it.

FAQs

How do you train for a marathon walking plan?

The average person can expect to take three to four walks a day. During training a person builds strength by walking four days per week starting from a long distance walking 20 miles a day and growing weekly until 38 miles a few weeks before a race.

How long does it take to get in shape for a half marathon?

Coogan adds if you can do five miles and a half marathon in 8 weeks, it's possible to finish it in ten days. “I would suggest extending course time limit this plan to 3 to 4 months. That gives the employer the buffer when they get in trouble. Plan for life and not just worry so much.

How many steps is a 1 2 marathon?

Can I run 5K at the same distance as my own marathon? Half marathons usually run for 20,000 steps per mile pace per person.

A half marathon is 13.1 miles (or about 21 kilometers). The average person's stride length is approximately 2.1 to 2.5 feet. To find out how many steps this would be, you can do a simple calculation:

1. Calculate the total distance in feet: 13.1 miles x 5,280 feet/mile.

2. Divide the total distance by your stride length in feet to get the total number of steps.

Let's use an average stride length of 2.5 feet for this example:

13.1 miles× 5,280 feet/mile = 69,168 feet

69,168 feet÷2.5 feet/step = 27,667.2 steps

So, walking a half marathon would roughly require 27,667 steps for an average stride. This number can vary significantly from person to person due to differences in stride length. If you want a more accurate count, you can measure your own stride length and calculate accordingly.

What is the walk-run strategy for a marathon?

Galloway explains that runners who aim to complete the 3:30 Marathon must race for 5 mins. If you're running in about 5 minutes, you can go slower pace and also do a 20-minute walk. In anticipation of a 5 – 6:00 hour sprint, he recommends 30-second runs, 60 second walks and 15:15 walks.

 

 

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