Just ran a half marathon...

yoghurtand

And it was really easy! I felt like I definitely could have kept going for longer, but it was getting late so I came back in again. It took me 2hrs 20mins, which I think is pretty okay considering I've never run more than 4.5miles consecutively before

Does anyone have tips or a link to improving past this point? Decreasing my time or training for a full marathon?

ace175

Wow that's awesome!!! I really want to do a half marathon one day but I'm a horrible runner!

RMinVA

There are plenty of free plans out there: I love the ones from runnersworld.com.

But please be careful...jumping from a 4.5 mile run to a 13.1 run is an injury waiting to happen. The guideline is a mileage increase of no more than 10% or so per week.

dtrm88

Congratulations! That's awesome! Training for my first 5k in April. Would love to run a half marathon over the summer.

ickybella

http://www.running4women.com/ has lots of good articles. I love it.

britt_fit

Wow, you must do a lot of other exercise besides running! My 1st half marathon was really hard and I trained (I think up to 10 miles). I ran a marathon in September and it was really hard near the end. Look on Runner's World for a training plan. Usually they recommend doing one day of speed work, one of hills/incline, and one longer one. Good luck!

slimyfishy

First of all, CONGRATS!!! Running that first 13.1 miles is a HUGE accomplishment! If you are serious about training for a marathon, I would like to encourage you to choose either the Jeff Galloway or Hal Higdon programs. I have used the Higdon program for my first 3 marathons. He has training programs for all levels of fitness (beginner to advanced). The Jeff Galloway program is also wonderful. Jeff encourages runners to take walk breaks during a race. Both of the programs are AMAZING and FREE. Just go online and read each one's site.

I've had people tell me over the years that they could never do a marathon. I have run 3 marathons and 5 halves weighing in around 165lbs. I have never trained with a coach (other than through a book or website), and have always made it to the finish line. If I can do it, YOU CAN TOO! Keep up the amazing job!

Run Strong,
Shan :-D
Training for my 2nd Walt Disney World Goofy Race series in 2012 (half on Sat, full marathon on Sun!) Woohooo!

yoghurtand

Thanks everyone! I'm definitely going to check out those sites I love running - it's such an exhilerating feeling. Good luck to those training themselves up!

RMinVA, I know I probably shouldn't have done it, but I was trying to prove something to myself. I'm icing though, and I definitely won't be doing anything this strenuous again for a month or so!

britt_fit, I'm an exercise junkie, I have to admit! I run, cycle, swim, hoop and dance, so I'm definitely of a good fitness level.

backinthenines

I don't want to to take the wind out of your sails but as a new runner you do NOT go from 4 to 13 miles, unless you want to retire your joints in a couple of months.

Build your distance sensibly. Cardiovascular fitness builds deceivingly quickly, which is why you felt you could just keep going.

Muscular-skeletal strength and bone density builds deceivingly slowly which is why so many enthusiastic newbies get injured and then come here starting threads on knee pain, plantar faciitis, patella femoral syndrome, shin splints, ITB pain, stress fractures, hip pain etc etc.

yoghurtand

Like I said, I'm not in a hurry to do this again - it'll be my usual route of 4.5 miles for a good while. My doctor said it was fine to do the half as long as I didn't do it again for a while. I'm not a new runner - just not a distance one - but I definitely know there are a lot of injuries you can do yourself.