Half Marathon

“Maybe, just maybe, I could see myself running a half marathon … ” If that thought has crossed your mind, we’re sure glad you landed here. If you can run three miles, you can train for a half marathon. Yes, really. Give us 12 weeks, and we’ll cheer you as you cross that glorious finish line at 13.1 miles.

Training Schedules

Updated Schedules coming soon!

Schedule
Saturday
Miles
Beginner

0-3 half marathons

Advanced

4+ half marathons

week 1 3 miles 8 miles
week 2 4 miles 9 miles
week 3 5 miles 10 miles
week 4 6 miles 12 miles
week 5 7 miles 10 miles
week 6 8 miles 13 miles
week 7 9 miles 12 miles
week 8 10 miles 10 miles
week 9 11 miles 12 miles
week 10 10 miles 10 miles
week 11 12 miles 8 miles
week 12 6 miles 6 miles
week 13 Race Race
Weekday Workouts
Sunday: Walk 30 min (weeks 1-3); 40 min (weeks 4-6); 50 min (weeks 7-12)
Monday: Cross Train
Tuesday: Run 30 min (weeks 1-3); 40 min (weeks 4-6); 50 min (weeks 7-12)
Wednesday: Cross Train
Thursday: Run 30 min (weeks 1-6); 40 min (weeks 7-12)
Friday: Rest Day
When We Meet

The Half Marathon program meets at the general all-club meetup at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday mornings. Mid-week runs are on your own, but you’ll frequently find other Pacers out at the Rose Bowl on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Training groups meet just south of the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center on the south end of Lot I. Check the Pacers calendar to verify specific location and time as conflicts occasionally cause a change in location.

What to Bring
As with any Pacer program or run, all you need is a water bottle and some comfortable running shoes. We also recommend a sports watch or phone with a run tracker app (loads of Pacers are on Strava or Garmin), but it is by no means required.

Helpful Advice
In order to get the most out of your training, we have these recommendations to keep you motivated and enjoying your workouts:

  • Always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any exercise program.
  • Always run at your own pace. A benefit of running with a training group like the Pacers is that there’s probably someone else running at your pace so you’ll have company to help keep you going.
  • If you feel any pain while running, stop immediately and let your coach/team doctor know.
  • Set goals for yourself and track your progress. For example, signing up for a 5K race after the program’s competition can help keep you motivated.
  • Find a partner for your workouts. One of your fellow Pacers might be the perfect candidate. You’ll keep one another motivated and take your mind off the hard work!
  • Midweek cross training helps balance your training by engaging different muscles. These workouts can take the form of just about anything; yoga, biking, weight training, and walking are all great.
  • Stretch after your workout when your muscles are warm to help your body recover.