I joined to pose a question about whether to do an HM

Agator82

So summary, I have been on MFP since the beginning of March and have been pretty faithful except for a month and a half between the end of May and the beginning of July. So I picked up my routine and I have been hitting cardio about 4-days a week since the second week of July. This means that I feel like superman (except for after a workout) and now I am contemplating a HM at the beginning of January.

As a note I started at 330 lbs and I am now down in the neighborhood of 280 so not the best shape, but certainly not the worst. I did a 'try out' on a foot path and I was able to do 4 miles in 54 minutes. Additionally, I have always been well built for walking long distances (I was a hiker before I got married). I plan to continue my weight loss through January and hope to be in the area of another 30 lbs down by that time.

So there is a HM in January that I was thinking about signing up for. I want to do it just because I have never really done something like it and I feel like it would give me a goal to work towards. Is this practical or am I deluding myself a bit? I am going to try another 4-miles next week in place of my normal elliptical time, but I still do not think I will get the confidence to signup for an event when I have no reference to know whether or not I have the reasonable ability to finish under the pace limits.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to make this determination? Thanks.

bridies01

I think you should go for it! Just start with the goal of finishing, and be smart about your training. My first half I was so excited that I overtrained and injured myself right before the race. The Galloway run/walkk method is probably the most conservative program and would likely insure you are slowly building up your endurance and not pushing it too hard too fast. 4 months is the perfect amount of time to train for a half (in my opinion).

http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/half_marathon.html

Agator82

Thanks for the encouragement, I am thinking I will go for it. I probably will have to sign-up within the next month due to limited capacity, but after that I was thinking I would take a stab at a 10K in November (I am hoping to be down another 20 lbs by then) and I am thinking it would give me a gauge on how to prepare.

Either way, it will give me a goal to shoot for and hopefully some motivation to not completely blow it (food consumption wise) in December.

bridies01

I think that sounds like a great plan! If you want a little more tailored plan after your 10k, you can input that race time into Runners World smart coach - free training plan, and it has inputs like a recent race time (your 10k), race distance, race date, current mileage, and then you pick if you want an easy, med, hard, very hard plan. It gives you very specific workouts.

http://www.runnersworld.com/smartcoach/

you have to create a log in user name / pw but it is free

krisiepoo

DO IT! It gives you a goal to work towards, if nothing else!!

Also, look at how long it's open, MANY are open long enough for walkers if it gets to the point you feel you need to walk...

Doing one gets you pumped to do more, they are addictive, LOL

jdelot

I think that sounds like a great plan! If you want a little more tailored plan after your 10k, you can input that race time into Runners World smart coach - free training plan, and it has inputs like a recent race time (your 10k), race distance, race date, current mileage, and then you pick if you want an easy, med, hard, very hard plan. It gives you very specific workouts.

http://www.runnersworld.com/smartcoach/

you have to create a log in user name / pw but it is free

Hey....you stole my post. :-) I love the smartcoach plans. They do spam the heck out me, though.

Mojo319

I hadn't ran in years. I started a little over a month ago in preparation for a HM in October. I;m using Hal Higdon's training schedule. Here's a link!

http://halhigdon.com/training/51130/Half-Marathon-Training-Guide

runningfromzombies

Have you run regularly before?

If you haven't, suddenly training for a half-marathon might be a little rigorous--but as long as you take it slow (I couldn't recommend Hal Higdon's Novice Plan more--I used it for my first Half), you should be okay! Make sure you have a good pair of running shoes, too. Going to an actual running shoe store and having a sales associate look at your stride and fit you for a specific pair really goes a long way. Once upon a time I could only dream of being a runner because I was using cheap sneakers that gave me shin splints; then I got fitted for a proper pair of shoes and found out that the reason for it was the weak arch in my right foot. Haven't had a problem since. (: Good luck!

Mojo319

Back in high school, but I'm 33 now. The novice is the exact training schedule I am using. Yea, I went to **** Ponds and tried on a bunch of different pairs. Ended up with a pair of Kahrus. They are SOOOO comfortable! Like wearing socks over my socks! I also need to focus more on stretching and warming up. Sometimes when I rush, the shin splints definitely start to flirt with me.

Agator82

Have you run regularly before?

If you haven't, suddenly training for a half-marathon might be a little rigorous--but as long as you take it slow (I couldn't recommend Hal Higdon's Novice Plan more--I used it for my first Half), you should be okay! Make sure you have a good pair of running shoes, too. Going to an actual running shoe store and having a sales associate look at your stride and fit you for a specific pair really goes a long way. Once upon a time I could only dream of being a runner because I was using cheap sneakers that gave me shin splints; then I got fitted for a proper pair of shoes and found out that the reason for it was the weak arch in my right foot. Haven't had a problem since. (: Good luck!

I have never really run before, but since I have been heavy going heavy cardio for the last couple months I feel like a challenge is in order. I also get the feeling that it would give me something to work towards (a goal) and possible have a little fun at the same time. The HM I am looking at is now 83% full and I am still thinking about it, but I at least have the confidence to signup now. Thanks for the tips and suggestions.