Race preparation
Preparing for 10 km and half-marathon races
Honest training timelines for road races, from a first 10 km to a first half-marathon, built around steady weekly mileage and a planned taper.
Distance tiers
From 5 km to 21.1 km
Each distance asks for a different balance of frequency, long runs, and speed work. Build the base first, then add race-specific effort.
5 km
Build consistency
Three to four short weekly runs, one easy longer run, and light speed work once a week keep the focus on steady progression.
10 km
Add a longer run
Extend the long run gradually and add tempo sessions at a controlled effort so you can hold a comfortable pace for the full distance.
21.1 km
Protect the long run
Plan several weeks of longer runs with recovery days between them, and keep race-pace work short so the body can absorb the load.
Race morning
Pace, fuel, and warm up with discipline
Eat a familiar breakfast two to three hours before the start and arrive early enough to warm up gently. Start slower than your goal pace, since the first kilometres are rarely the hardest part of the race.
In the final weeks, reduce training volume while keeping a few short efforts to stay sharp. Check the race details and current local guidance before you travel to the start.