What Is a Half Marathon?
A half marathon is a 13.1-mile race equal to exactly half of a standard marathon, which is 26.2 miles. Half marathons and marathons have become increasingly popular sports in recent years, with half marathons often used as part of a training regimen in building up to run full marathons. Competitive half marathon runners are usually also strong marathon runners, but may have an edge in the shorter distance due to higher top speeds which they would not be able to sustain over the course of a full marathon. A full marathon requires vast endurance, while a half marathon requires good endurance--but also requires a quicker top speed.
Training by Running
As with any type of running sport, the primary way a half marathon runner stays in shape is by running. Even more so than with sprinting and shorter distances, running is the most important element of training for long distance races. Active half marathon runners will typically run at lest three to four times a week, at distances from 3 to 13.1 miles for longer runs, while periodically running shorter distances and sprinting as part of cross training. Just running 3 miles or so several times a week with a periodic 5- to 8-mile run can go a long way to keep a half marathoner in condition to run a race if need be. Unlike in a full marathon, it is common to train to run for a half marathon without ever running farther than 5 or 6 miles at one time, although more serious runners will often run full half marathons as training for their races.
Support Exercises
Besides running, half marathon runners also stay in shape by pursuing alternative aerobic workouts and muscular endurance training. Activities like bicycle riding, elliptical machines, rowing machines, Pilates and yoga are all popular ways to maintain cardiovascular endurance. Lifting lighter weights with many repetitions, and occasionally heavier weights for the legs are also ways runners increase muscular endurance and strengthen the legs to increase overall foot speed.
Generally, half marathon runners do not pursue heavy upper body lifting or power lifting to train for running, but may pursue such activities as part of a larger overall fitness scheme. Having large upper body muscles is detrimental to running long distance foot races; the best marathoners are usually very trim, with chiseled legs and smaller upper bodies.
Tags: half marathon, marathon runners, half marathon runners, full marathon, half marathons