Tips to run a FASTER Half Marathon

I'm not even talking about consistency. Consistency is the minimum requirement for improvement over any distance. When I say tips to run a faster half marathon I mean exactly the tips that I credit with improving my performance hugely over the course of 4 years from 1:25 to 1:16.

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[Dikbert]

Biggest thing for me not just to improve my HM but all my running was to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Whenever the going would get tough I would slow down or stop. Joining a running club helped, when we went out on groups I was almost scared to stop as I didn't want to ruin others runs hahaha. Eventually, I got used to running through the pain and discomfort and my fitness increased massively.

[manusiadurjana]

I used to run my Half Marathon at slightly below 4 hours.. Now my PB was at 2hr 55 minutes.. My weight was 175kg & I managed to reduce it to 103kg.. I'll be running another Half Marathon event in just over a week.. Another PB hopefully..

[arranlinton-smith]

I am 66 and only been running 3 years now. Getting a proper running coach has been my best investment in terms of motivation, reducing injury and getting my pacing right. My 10k PB is 53m 10sec and My marathon PB is currently just under 4h 30min!

[IRunThings]

Another great video. I am currently training to run a half in 1h50 as a 48 year old woman. These are great tips. As always you have sound advice

[terranceweis]

I've lifted weights for over 15 years and have done gran fondos for 7. Now I'm doing my first half marathon in 2 months. I've never stopped working out and I think it's kept my joints and muscles in good shape. Ive always appreciated the benefit of cardio and weight training combined

[lukemaier]

Thanks for the HM tips, especially since today is my birthday! 46 today!

Ran my first 5k in 10 years on October 9th (27:31), Ran my first 10km ever on January 8th (57:56 - left knee injury, Covid 19, and respiratory infection cost me 5 out of last 7 weeks of training for this race)

And in one month, Feb 26th, I'll be running my first HM. I'm hoping for a time around 2hours and 7 to 8 minutes. Right now I'm mainly doing the aerobic base building runs, especially on the long run. I'm mixing in a little bit of tempo running for my early runs in the week. Not advanced yet for interval/speed work. Also, don't have a track or regular place to do that type of running.

Going to start incorporating gells soon. Especially during the last three long runs of 14km, 16km, and 18km before race day. Find out what works and what doesn't. Have a good race Ben! Look forward to the video!

[Laura]

Just finished a 5km in Regent’s Park. Building up for a half marathon. I love your videos. You guys are great. Run for life ☺️

[FreeLancerLondon]

Just signed up for Queen Elizabeth Park half marathon in March across country. Haven't run the distance in 20 years. Over 430 metres of elevation. Probably bitten off more than I can tackle. Thanks for the tips Ben. Very timely. My goal is just to finish. Not worried about the time. 👍😇

[mailorlee]

Wow. Your introduction is the reason for my most recent decision a few months into 2023. I signed up for two full marathons this year at the end of last year to save money and have been dreading all the training because it's been so taxing on my family and other personal aspect of my life. After this year, I will be only running half marathons and shorter races from now on.

[SeeChadRun]

Love all the family and individual models/actors you hired for this video! You do a great job at remembering all their names too ;-) Great video and feedback Ben!

[CowboyJunkie]

Great tips Ben. Looking to break the 90 minute barrier in March. Just done 2 x 3.5m with 3 min active recovery at about 6.40mm. One tip I would suggest is. Hydration the day before a long run and eat well the day before to fuel the long runs. Also I find the lighter I am the quicker I can run. However diets and nutrition is individual.

[timtrenholm]

The half is just such a great distance, I like to call it the perfect blend of intensity and endurance. And during the spring/summer/fall, I often run a 20+ KM every weekend long run to get in that nice 2 hour sustained run week in week out. As for shoes, I got a pair of Alphafly of Xmas, broke them in on new year's day park run, and destroyed my old man PB by 34secs. Which was achieved 6 weeks prior in my Endo Speeds during effectively a maintenance block. I'm a high cadence runner, and I found the extra stride length the Alphafly naturally imparts was like free speed for me. Here's hoping I don't experience issues later in my marathon block when I test out the Alphafly in my longer runs near the end up my current marathon block.
Great content, simple info that alot of runners don't think about.

[nathanbaker]

I went from 1:53 - 1:30 in just less than two years in a HM and the biggest things for me have to be just consistency, sensibly building milage and committing to speed sessions.

I'd also say getting out and doing shorter races and getting used to being in that race environment and learning how you react to being in a race.

[eugenecaasi]

YES I AGREE WE ARE IN THIS GAME FOR LIFE.

[markaldrich]

Thanks, this is excellent! (I've gone from 2:08 to 1:41 over 4 years. In the past year from 1:57 to 1:48 to 1:41.)

[conordaly]

Great timing for this video, in the middle of week 3 of a training plan (taken from an earlier video) for London Landmarks Half. Cheers Ben

[mandyclancey]

Great tips. This is exactly what I'm trying to do right now! Good luck with your half-marathons on Sunday! (I'm doing one on Sunday too, but just a training run around town.)

[immortal_rob]

I live this video. My favourite race distance by far. I think I have ran 23/24 half’s not including ones part of a 70.3 ! I will always love a half race

[TheAnikdam]

Perfect timing! I have 2 half's coming up in February. One is in Memphis, TN and the other in Greenville, MS

[JonsConsciousLife]

As someone about to kick off a new training block for HM, this was a good reminder. It’s a great distance for all the reasons yourself and others have commented. This time around my approach will be more mileage, while still getting in the quality workouts. I feel confident that if I can consistently put in 80k weeks instead of 50-60k, that alone will be enough that I can break the 1:40 mark I’ve been targeting my last couple attempts. Otherwise, my week doesn’t look much different than marathon training, maybe just a few shorter sharper sessions in there that I might not include in marathon training.