Half Marathon Friends please!

kingofcrunk

I'll be running my first ever half marathon on 7 April. I'm really nervous but my aim is to simply finish the race, so hopefully I can do that. I'd like some friends who are also half marathon runners (first timers or experts!) - to support each other and get advice / tips on training. Please add me!

jeets888

I Still remember buying my first pair of running shoes last year March - was all excited about how far and fast i would run (romanticising my running) ..... had an experienced campaigner and total stranger tell me " Take your time with running and ease into it, the biggest problem with runners starting of is that they want to push too much then when they get injured they suddenly dont enjoy running." Anyways, i thought, what could he possibly know what im capable off, im losing weight and riding my high ... anything is possible.

So after just starting to run (not even two months into it - more like jogging and walking) i attempted my first half .... took me 2hrs53mins ... literally had to walk the last 4-5kms as i just couldnt even get myself to jog (Around April side last year). So i knew, ok, need much more practice and so i began ... losing more weight, training more, much more hill training and cross training with spinning (although i sometimes think i cross train my spinning with running) .... ok, i was feeling more comfortable and so i attempted my second 21km race (during this time my 10km time had improved from 1hr20mins to 61mins) - my time for my second 21km was 2hr19mins which was the end of July 2012 ....

Ok, so heres the point of the first paragraph ... i improved my 10km time by 20 odd mins and my 21km time by 34 odd mins whilst still being overweight .... and then it hit me ... ITB!!! That dudes voice rang all too true - i attained one of the common running injuries and gee whiz was it painful. I couldnt do spinning nor running and i was improving so well - was gutted! But, we pick ourselves up and soldier on.

Decided, this is not the end of me - so, went to a Bioki. and worked on my knee as well as the muscles that affedct it as well as getting a whole lot of core conditioning in ... started running again (greater focus on interval training) as well as spinning and ran my first 10km race last Sunday after 6 months and my time came in at 54mins although due to the amount of people, my official time would be something like 51mins ....

Feel great and am aiming to break the 50min mark for the next 10km and eventually a sub 2hr for when i do run a 21km - aiming for mid year.

So - if you managed all the way to the end of this story, my advice from my own personal experience:

1. Take as much advice from runners - they've been there and know what they talking about
2. Running must be gradual (10% increase week on week) else injuries are guaranteed
3. Hill work is a must (I myself have been a little lax here but its one of my training aims)
4. Fartleks, Interval training is another must
5. Cross training another must
6. Diet - recommended foods: fruits, veg, seeds and almonds, protein in form of chicken or slamon
7. Stretching after a warm up of about ten minutes and also try to warm up before your race with stretching done before you start
8. Core conditioning
9. Alot of runners say yoga really helps as well but since i dont do this im assuming it will tie up with the core conditioning
10. Excercising as well

Just enjoy yourself - I'm hooked on cardio as much as i know strength training is neccessary for the ideal body ... I'm a running and spinning addict

PurpleTina

I'm doing my first on 21st April, simple aim is to get round without taking any walk breaks. I am the world's slowest runner, but still faster than the person sitting on their sofa, as they say!

fat2fitdancody

I'm running the Loughborough Half on March 24th, I'm a bit nervous as the furthest I've been outdoors is 7 miles and furthest on the treadmill is 9 miles.

MsP90X

The above poster has me even more nervous now... but I have my first 1/2 in May! Training as we speak and I too am just hoping to complete it Add me if you would like!

FatDadSlim

Started running last November to keep my fitness up over the winter months. I 'm usually a road cyclist but i don't like to ride in the winter as it can get dangerous, especially on my commute run which is very rural. I do mountain bike but this is usually only a weekend activity.

Got my first half marathon lined up on March 3rd, used it as a goal so i would sustain motivation, going to go back to road biking once it's done although depending on how i do in the half i might be looking to get a full marathon in either this autumn or next spring?

Jackie80taylor

i started running (more like jogging) in june last year and entered my 1st half marathon in october! i started by not even being able to run to the end of the road without stopping for breath, but slowly i began getting better and being able to go further. come the big day i was confident i could do 6 miles no probs (and i was told i could walk a bit if needed so i was happy), anyway i got to 6 miles then it all went wrong. i got the biggest blood blisters and my legs seized up and i had to walk for the final 4 miles, but i didnt give up, i finished the race, ok it took me like, 3hrs 48 mins but i crossed that finish line lol

so what did i learn? firstly, blisters HURT!!! secondly, i needed more training and better running shoes. i went in with the bare minimum training needed and hoped i could keep going but i couldnt. so lesson learnt there! train train and train more. respect the run.

on a final note, i really enjoyed the experience as a whole and will defiantly be entering again this year, and i will be better prepared! lol

good luck with your 1/2 :-)

ThatFitGirl19

Im doing my first half marathon in october!! Had a few ankle problems but hoping that ive done enough rehab that it will hold up

Polydor

I'm hoping to complete a half marathon this year. Haven't picked a race out yet but am running 4-5 times a week. I did a 12km fun run last september ( my first) in 1:20 which i was very happy with. Though I was getting slightly annoyed at the half marathoners who made the 12km run into a half marathon and ran all the way back to the start past all of the participants (me!) lol

Feel free to add me. I could use some help with coming up with a training plan too!

P.

GaryinPilling

I'm running my first two half's this year in May and July. Feel free to add me too.

Need encouragement to increase my run lengths without annoying my partner, she misses me when I'm running ;-)

HMVOL7409

Started running last year and ran my first 1/2 in October. Doing another in May and 2 more after that in August and October. I LEARNED a lot from my training and always willing to help others! Right now I'm doing an advanced training program.

dedicationANDdumbbells

I just signed up for my 4th half. I started running local 5ks and then my sister-in-laws signed up for a half, which I thought was CRAZY and declined the offer. After thinking about it, I signed up a few weeks later. My goal for my 1st half was to finish in under 2 hours. Good luck guys! Simply one of the best experiences.

shanse21

I'll be running my second half in a little less than two weeks! Your first one feels daunting, but you'll be awesome. And then get addicted!

mrk1185

I'm running my first half May 11 (also will be my second race in minimalist shoes, first one being a 10k). I'm a little nervous about it, but I have a friend running with me so I think it'll be fun!

allday2

I say train, listen to your body, and run your OWN race!!!! Have fun

eutalia2000

I'm having my first half marathon on the 24th of March. I just hope finishing it........
If this goes we I will try for a marathon... Wish you All the best.
Feel free to add me....

littlekat1

I'm rebounding from a hip injury and have started running 5k's again and will build back up to 10ks and halfs. Good luck with your race. You are gong to do awesome!!!

I'm aiming to do the Pensacola Half Marathon later in the year!

ncsjodi

I'm doing my first half in just over two weeks on Feb 24th at Disney World!!! I'm hoping to finish around 2:30, but since it's a Disney race, I'm planning to relax and enjoy the experience too. I've been training since last summer.

melaniecheeks

I did a couple of 10ks last year, and have signed up for my first half in June!

I run slowly - I'm currently trying to get my pace to below 7 mins per km. So I reckon if I manage the half in 2 1/2 hours I'll be doing well!

kehowe83

I had gotten up to 4 miles longest outdoor distance last December ('11) before getting pregnant. I just started back up with jogging a month ago and just completed 4.36 straight jogging this week!
I am going really slow because I had broken a bone in the ball of my foot a few years ago and don't want injury.
I am signing up for my first ever 10k in May and then a half in December!
feel free to add me, more motivation please!

jdub224

I am registered to run in my first 1/2 marathon on April 6th (Go! St. Louis).

Started running last June with C25k. Did a mile run on Labor Day,have done a few 5 k, 1 8k and 1 10k since then. I am super excited about completing the 1/2.

I run outside 2 or 3 days a week, with long training runs on Saturdays, if I don't do a 5k.

I'm always looking to find runners in St. Louis to talk to about the local scene and motivation/accountability.