Half Marathon - September 2013

ChristineDiet

Hi

I'm thinking about registering to do the Great North Run (UK) next year and wondered if a year is enough time to prepare myself for a run. I currently don't run AT ALL!!! I'm 5ft 8 - 200lbs, size 16 (UK) and at the minute I am onto Week 4 of Insanity and I walk as much as I can. Weight not budging so I need to address that and also my fitness level (although that has improved a lot).

Anyone done it and what would you suggest I do (if it's possible) in the year to best prepare myself.

Thanks.

Christine. x

omma_to_3

I've never done one, but yes, I would think a year would be enough time. I've been running for 6 months now and am training for a 10K. But once you get past the 5K hurdle, its supposed to be easier to add distance. I should have been further in the 10K training but I got an injury and had to let up for a while.

ChristineDiet

Thanks - only issue is it is Half a marathon - pretty major in my book: 13.1 miles or 21.09km. I'm not sure I could even do a mile now without stopping. I have bad knees too - but I'm guessing they will probably improve when i shift some of the weight. x

nickhuffman74

A year is more than enough time to go from 0 miles to 13.1. I went from running 3 to 13.1 in 12 weeks using this training schedule http://www.swranch.org/swhalf/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/2012-Beginner-Runner-Training-Schedule.pdf

There are several sites to help you train and manage a regiment for race. Good luck.

BrianSharpe

A year should be plenty of time to train for a half marathon assuming that you're consistently getting out running 3 or 4 times per week as well as cross training at least a couple of times per week (biking, swimming, strength training). You should also keep a training log, more for accountability purposes but also to track your progress.

I would suggest that you set yourself some intermediate goals such as a couple of 5Ks and 10Ks between now and next September as a way of introducing yourself to racing (even if you have no delusions of making the next Olympics....) and staying motivated.

Don't try to build up too quickly. Most running injuries are a result of too much, too soon too fast. Get good, properly fitting running shoes (go to a running specialty store to have your gait analyzed).

Don't forget to have fun!

leighannss

I did my first and only 1/2 marathon last Feb. I couldn't even "run" two houses down without having to stop. I have asthma and was really out of shape and overweight. I started to train slightly with jogging, stopping, jogging just doing my own thing. I never went more than 7 miles at a time EVER! I just was still that slow and didn't have the time. Just started crunching and jogging 3x a week about 6 weeks before. I still sucked at running but could go more. I was and still do about 13-15min miles.

I not only died but I finished in 3hrs. and 15 seconds. I ran the first 7 miles without stopping then I walked thru every water stop to get Gatorade and it was getting harder and harder to get back at it but I did it. So my advice only stop when you really need to because the longer you are in the harder it gets to get going and all your "pains" are coming out. I have to say, my legs never hurt it was my knee and hip!!!!!!!!!


It was such a great experience and you will have such a sense of accomplishment! I wish you the best!!!!! You can do it!

MrsPixelbark

A year is plenty of time- I'd be tempted to start with C25K and then go from there. That'll get you up and running 5k- then you can extend your runs each week until you're at your target. I've been running for about four months now and I regularly do 12-14k a few times a week now, extending that slowly by .5 of a kilometer every week.

I'm planning on running the great North run myself next year, have you decided what charity you are thinking of running for?

reggie2run

A year should be plenty of time to train for a half marathon assuming that you're consistently getting out running 3 or 4 times per week as well as cross training at least a couple of times per week (biking, swimming, strength training). You should also keep a training log, more for accountability purposes but also to track your progress.

I would suggest that you set yourself some intermediate goals such as a couple of 5Ks and 10Ks between now and next September as a way of introducing yourself to racing (even if you have no delusions of making the next Olympics....) and staying motivated.

Don't try to build up too quickly. Most running injuries are a result of too much, too soon too fast. Get good, properly fitting running shoes (go to a running specialty store to have your gait analyzed).

Ditto!
Well said Brian.

Don't forget to have fun!

AmyW125

I started running (or trying to run) a year ago. I couldn't make it 2 houses without stopping and I was 200 pounds. I just ran my 1st 1/2 Sept 9th. I ran all of it!!! You can so do it!! Find a good program to follow. I used a Hal Hidgon one. I found it online and it was free. I set my goal to run it 6 months before the race and at that point the most I had run was a 5k. It was one of the best feelings I have ever had coming across that finish line. My profile pic is me crossing the line. You got this!!! :bigsmile:

ChristineDiet

A year is plenty of time- I'd be tempted to start with C25K and then go from there. That'll get you up and running 5k- then you can extend your runs each week until you're at your target. I've been running for about four months now and I regularly do 12-14k a few times a week now, extending that slowly by .5 of a kilometer every week.

I'm planning on running the great North run myself next year, have you decided what charity you are thinking of running for?

My Uncle has just been diagnosed with terminal cancer but unfortunately probably won't be here by then (I really hope he is though!) so I will gor for Cancer Research. x

CarsonRuns

A year should be plenty of time to train for a half marathon assuming that you're consistently getting out running 3 or 4 times per week as well as cross training at least a couple of times per week (biking, swimming, strength training). You should also keep a training log, more for accountability purposes but also to track your progress.

I would suggest that you set yourself some intermediate goals such as a couple of 5Ks and 10Ks between now and next September as a way of introducing yourself to racing (even if you have no delusions of making the next Olympics....) and staying motivated.

Don't try to build up too quickly. Most running injuries are a result of too much, too soon too fast. Get good, properly fitting running shoes (go to a running specialty store to have your gait analyzed).

Don't forget to have fun!

What he said.

ChristineDiet

I did my first and only 1/2 marathon last Feb. I couldn't even "run" two houses down without having to stop. I have asthma and was really out of shape and overweight. I started to train slightly with jogging, stopping, jogging just doing my own thing. I never went more than 7 miles at a time EVER! I just was still that slow and didn't have the time. Just started crunching and jogging 3x a week about 6 weeks before. I still sucked at running but could go more. I was and still do about 13-15min miles.

I not only died but I finished in 3hrs. and 15 seconds. I ran the first 7 miles without stopping then I walked thru every water stop to get Gatorade and it was getting harder and harder to get back at it but I did it. So my advice only stop when you really need to because the longer you are in the harder it gets to get going and all your "pains" are coming out. I have to say, my legs never hurt it was my knee and hip!!!!!!!!!


It was such a great experience and you will have such a sense of accomplishment! I wish you the best!!!!! You can do it!

haha - you didn't die - your here writing about your accomplishment! Well done for doing it. I have done a couple of 5k runs in the past, one for Breast Cancer and one Santa Fun Run. Christmas time and June - I suppose I could book on those and that would keep me focused! I need to look into C25K too. Is it a phone app?

Oh and proper running shoes - thanks everyone - some great advice.

Will even look into a running club once or twice a week (if I can get a sitter!).

Thanks. x

ChristineDiet

A year is more than enough time to go from 0 miles to 13.1. I went from running 3 to 13.1 in 12 weeks using this training schedule http://www.swranch.org/swhalf/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/2012-Beginner-Runner-Training-Schedule.pdf

There are several sites to help you train and manage a regiment for race. Good luck.

Tried this link but it is just buffering - thanks anyway. x

Lisah8969

There are a lot of good Half Marathon training programs that are 13 weeks. Find one and just know that you need to be at that starting level 13 weeks before the race. At the beginning of the year, I put together a training schedule for myself that includes all the races I want to do (one 10k, one 10 Miler and one Half Marathon this year) and just follow it. I modified the 13 week program to fit what works for me. A year is more than enough time to do it if you are serious about it. Good luck!

Thomasm198

A year is loads of time. I only started training in May of this year and I ran my first half marathon last week. I admit that I walked about 4 of the 13 miles but considering I also only quit smoking earlier this year, it was a good result.

101869

After running my first marathon with 12 months training I know you can do a half marathon with 12 months training. Start building up your base training and start throwing in long runs (start out with five miles ) once a week and increase length every four weeks. You can and will accomplish your goal..

yallcallmedeb

You can absolutely do it! Start with C25K. There are a number of apps for it for iPhones and android devices. I used RunDouble for android and really like their programs. With C25K, it tells you when to run and when to walk, how far you have gone, what your pace is, etc. They also have 10K, half marathon, fun runs and a few other apps. You can listen to your music through the app and it pauses your music when it tells you to change from running to walking, etc. When you get to longer runs or fun runs, you can set it to give you updates at various intervals (every 2 minutes, every 5 minutes, etc.)

When you finish C25K, you may want to just do your own thing for awhile before starting another training program but I find that I like the training programs. They keep me focused and on track. You can find them for most any goal that you have. I am now working on a Hal Higdon 10 mile training program in preparation for running a 13K. I haven't found an app for it so I'm using RunDouble and just finding the distance that I need to go.

As others have said, try to schedule some shorter races in before you do your half marathon.

ChristineDiet

Thanks everyone. Some great answers.

I'm going to start on the track - but after I finish Insanity (5 weeks to go). Then I will look at some apps, probably C25k and onwards. I may then enquire about a running club (but that depends on time and day etc for childcare - so may not be an option).

then once I get a bit stronger and run for longer I will hit the main roads. around here it's country roads and very hilly - so that will be a challenge.

Well done to all of you who have done it. amazing. Here's to next year.

Going to sign up for a 5k at christmas (Santa fun run) and then do a 5k March/April for Cancer Research.

thanks very much for all your input. xx

josiereside

I did my first half about 8 months after I started running. I did the C25K program and did a few 5Ks and went right to the half. I was able to run the whole thing. Good luck to you!

natalie412

I started Couch to 5K in January, and ran my first half a couple weeks ago. That was about 9 months for me. You can totally do it!

kendrafallon

Some fab suggestions, I'm already registered for the Great North Run next year (there was some miscommunication for this year and so I wasn't able to run it)

I'm planning on starting with C25K and then moving on to 10k and then go from there. Given the Great North Run is schedule for September I think I've got enough time to train for it...it's just a matter of getting out there and doing it!