I’m Running A Half Marathon This Fall

I’m running a half marathon in November! This will be the first time I’ve raced or run over 5 miles in over 10 years.  

Why did I choose a half-marathon for my first race after 50? How will I prepare for it? What are my goals for this race? 

I’ll answer all of these questions and share a few more details about my training in this article. 

Why I Chose To Run A Half Marathon

Fall is my favorite time of the year to run. Like most runners, I enjoy the fall foliage and running in the cooler temperatures. 

You may be thinking, since I haven’t run in a while, why not start with a shorter race like a 5k or 10k? Wouldn’t it be easier to train for? 

I chose a half because my goal is to become an ultra runner. 

To run a half, I will have to rebuild my body and significantly improve my aerobic system. 

In other words, I’m really out of shape! 

This means lots of long, slow runs. Perfect for fall weather! 

How I’m Training For My Race

Aerobic conditioning is the foundation of distance running. 

As a runner, you build your aerobic system by training primarily in heart rate zone 2. 

The basic idea is to run below your maximum aerobic heart rate. 

You can find your maximum aerobic heart rate by subtracting your age from 180. That’s the number you want your heart rate to be when you train. 

Most running watches can track your heart rate, but I highly recommend wearing a chest heart rate monitor because it’s usually more accurate. 

Of course, this method has nuances. Dr. Phil Maffetone is one of the leaders in this type of training. You can check out the Maffetone Method if you want to learn more. 

I’m going to split my training between 80-90% zone 2 training and 10-20% speed work, anaerobic workouts, and strength training. This means I’ll spend most of my time building my aerobic base, while doing speed work to get faster and improve my anaerobic system. 

My Goals For This Race

I believe that every runner should have at least one goal for every race. 

Setting goals gives you something clear and tangible to reach for and guides your training. 

I have three goals for my upcoming half. 

Goal #1 

My first goal is to run the entire race without walking. Since I’m basically starting over as a runner, this feels realistic, especially since it’s not something I can do right now. 

Goal #2 

To complete the race in under two hours. To complete the race at this pace, I have to run close to nine minutes per mile. 

This is another reason I’m including a little speed work in my training plan.  

Goal #3 

My third and most important goal is to have fun and enjoy the race. As I shared above, I love running in the fall and look forward to race day. 

Also, this race and the training I’m doing for it will hopefully be a springboard to the next distance, which will either be a full marathon or a 30k, which would be my first official ultra marathon race, eek! 

Final Thoughts 

In the future, I’ll be sharing updates and ideas about running and life after 50. If you found this article inspiring or useful, leave a comment below or share it with a friend! 

Dream big, run far, live free! ~ Neil 

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