First Half-Marathon...suggestions?

moonport

So, I am pretty out of shape and I have never liked running. I've been working out really hard the past 5 weeks and have lost about 17 lbs., but I still have about 88 lbs. to go. However, my roommate convinced me to do the Top of Utah Half-Marathon with her in 24 weeks. I look at it as an opportunity to improve my health and fitness, even though it's freaking me out. Any suggestions from runners out there?

So far I've bought some Nike Go Runs (which several of my friends said they use to run) and I've downloaded a 24 week couch to half marathon training plan that starts tomorrow. Any other helpful ideas or motivators? Thanks!

ContraryMaryMary

I've run about six half marathons in the last few years with my next one in May. My advice to a newbie long distance runner is to take things slowly; don't do too much too soon - you don't want to get injured. As you increase your distance don't go up by more than a mile a week (risk of injury and burnout). When you do your long runs, run at a comfortable pace which allows you to run constantly without stopping to walk and catch your breath - you'll want to be able to do this on race day (yup, two or three hours without stopping!) And enjoy yourself and all the delicious endorphins running brings!

YourGirl_Tina

Let me start by saying I am not a pro... nor anything even remotely close....My suggestion... Start SLOW!!! My mother and I signed up for the Disney World Princess Half a few years ago.... needless to say I tried to much to fast and ended up with major shin splints... took 2 months off and started training again. well lets just say I got picked up at the 5 mile mark due to shin splints... What could have been a wonderful 8 month training.... wasn't because I pushed my way out of shape body to much to early... That is my 2 cents Good luck!!

amandajones1978

Awesome! Good for you! I am running my first Half-Marathon this October in Detroit and I just starting running in November. I never saw this coming but I ran my first 5K on New Years Day.

The best advice that I was given was "Dont push too hard too soon" I was told to not increase my distance more than 10% each week to avoid injury. My personal trainer has also told me that if I am running more than 45 minutes, then I need to keep my heart rate in Zone 2 since I have cortisol issues.

Find friends to run with. This is the BIGGEST help I have had with my training. There is a Run Club at my gym and we run as a group 3 times a week. It makes a world of difference when you have supportive and motivating people surrounding you.

Good luck!!

piezoeyjune

Bump:

Me too!

Freaking out...

Sox90716

Have fun, be consistent, vary your running terrain, mix it up with trails, hills and speed work.

Tarin626

I just started running too and at over 200lbs I am scared about getting hurt. I am following the Jeff Galloway programs as I am training for events at Walt Disney World and he has partnered with them on how to train for the events. It involves interval running, so running at EG: 15 min/mile — 30 sec running/45 sec walking...up to 8 min/mi—run 4 min/walk 35 seconds.

I have found it really helps me train without pushing myself too hard and hurting myself. If you want to transition to full running with mo breaks later then go for it :-)
http://jeffgalloway.com/
http://www.rundisney.com/training/running/

Good Luck!

KatrinaWilke

I started running January 2012 for a half-marathon in June 2012. I hated running too!!! I finished in just over 2 hours...pretty good considering before January I couldn't run 20 seconds without getting out of breath! I only ran 3 times a week. Two shorter runs during the week and one long run on the weekends. One of the runs during the week was a semi-long run, the other was just a 3 miler. I read several books including one by Hal Higdon and adapted several training plans to meet my needs. I think everyone made some good suggestions so far. If this is your first half-marathon don't worry about time, just try to finish. Slow and steady. Also let your body tell you what it needs. If you are not feeling good and miss a couple runs, don't freak out. But try to be consistent and don't miss more than a few days of running.....believe me your body will feel like it never ran before.

KatrinaWilke

I just started running too and at over 200lbs I am scared about getting hurt. I am following the Jeff Galloway programs as I am training for events at Walt Disney World and he has partnered with them on how to train for the events. It involves interval running, so running at EG: 15 min/mile — 30 sec running/45 sec walking...up to 8 min/mi—run 4 min/walk 35 seconds.

I have found it really helps me train without pushing myself too hard and hurting myself. If you want to transition to full running with mo breaks later then go for it :-)
http://jeffgalloway.com/
http://www.rundisney.com/training/running/

Good Luck!

I have heard of many success stories with doing the run/walk programs. I don't know if it works for me....if I stop running and walk for a little bit, my body doesn't want to start running again!

Eaglesfanintn

The run/walk is a really good program (jeffgalloway.com).
I've used Hal Higdon's program to get ready for marathons, but he has half marathon plans as well, for different running levels. (halhigdon.com).
Good luck!

puppy_amor

I started running a few years ago and ran 3 half-marathons in the past 2 years. I think for me, the most important factor was where I was running. I think that finding new and interesting places/trails to run on can make all of the difference. Good luck!

nolakris

I ran my first in November and am gearing up for another in May. Congratulations! The couch to half program is really good. I had less time than you do to train (15 weeks) so those extra 9 weeks will help a lot. Definitely go slow and listen to your body. Also, make sure you get fitted for good shoes. Hit a running store and if you can afford to, buy 2 pair. Even if you don't buy them at the same time, if you can swing it, getting one pair now and another in a few weeks or month will be good. You'll want to switch off through the week as you train.
Oh and Glide may be your new friend! I use it in several places where my clothes rub on my really long runs.

dbrightwell1270

1) Listen to your body

2) You're not going to better each successive day you go out to run. Some days you may have to walk a little more or run a little slower than you wanted/expected.

3) As your miles go up be sure to eat more.

4) I've run two half marathons. I tell a lot of people about it. No one has ever asked me my times. Just finish it and don't worry if you are slower than everyone else.

5) Enjoy the experience.

eatrunstretch

Cross train!!! I started training for my half taking place this sunday the 17th (!!! so excited!) while I was also doing cross training and had no problems. I then quit the cross training in the middle of the training program and developped IT band syndrome (painful) and had to take a break and really feared I wouldn't get past it. I then started cross training again and doing lots of squats, strengthened my glutes and the ITBS disappeared. Having talked to people who have had ITBS, I have been very lucky and I have now completed the training and will be running on form this sunday. Listen to your body, if you start having doubts then do something about it then and there, don't keep pushing through it. Also, although I hope your shoes work for you, I would never recommend buying shoes just because they work for someone else. Go have your running gait analysis measured and have shoes recommended by a professional!!!

Good luck, you can totally do this!

dreilingda

So, I am pretty out of shape and I have never liked running. I've been working out really hard the past 5 weeks and have lost about 17 lbs., but I still have about 88 lbs. to go. However, my roommate convinced me to do the Top of Utah Half-Marathon with her in 24 weeks. I look at it as an opportunity to improve my health and fitness, even though it's freaking me out. Any suggestions from runners out there?

So far I've bought some Nike Go Runs (which several of my friends said they use to run) and I've downloaded a 24 week couch to half marathon training plan that starts tomorrow. Any other helpful ideas or motivators? Thanks!

Go get fitted for shoes. You can risk it if you want but you'll probably start to feel it if you've picked the wrong shoe once you're mileage gets to 15+ / 20+ per week.

Your primary focus will need to be on getting steady increases in mileage per week while remaining uninjured. The extra weight you are carrying will make this even harder because it increases the risk of injury. At least at first, make sure all your runs are very easy. Even if you are interval walk/running, make sure you're running intervals are slow and easy. If you find you're having endurance problems, slow down even more. Time on your feet + easy miles are the most important thing for begginers. Cross train with low impact when you're not running. Do exercises to strengthen hips and core.

Juliet_622

I just did my first half marathon in October, and it's a pretty great feeling knowing you just ran 21.1km. Not a lot of people can do that! My advice is to get shoes that are fitted to you, and pay the extra money for a good pair. They're worth their weight in gold. I also really like the Nike + app, as it keeps track of your runs, calories burned, distance, pace. It gives you motivational feedback, and you can make a game out of it by joining challenges. I found it a great way to keep motivated.

I think this is a personal preference whether you run straight through, or do run/walk breaks. As a new runner, I really appreciated the 1 minute walk break. It was kind of like a mini goal when I started to get tired. I'd look at my watch and see that I have 2 minutes of running left before a short break - "Oh, well I can do two more minutes." And then after you have a chance to catch your breath and have a sip of water, you're ready to go again. I probably ran faster after a one minute break than I would've if I'd gone a little slower but continuously.

Now with all that said, I trained with 10:1 sets, but the day of the race, I ended up just taking a one minute walk break through water stations. So it was more like I was doing 15:1 sets. The adrenaline keeps you going!

Amcolecchi

TRAIN!!!! and start slow...definitely take your rest days as well..I was running my first half and still doing zumba and other activities and not taking my rest days and I ended up hurting my foot, in a boot for 6 weeks! I did though get out and run the half 2 weeks later lol! But that was pretty dumb of me! And GET NEW SHOES!! It's not worth it to run in a crappy, old pair! You will for sure hurt yourself!! GOOD LUCK!

emtjmac

Your goal should be only to finish it. There is nothing wrong with walking when you need to walk. Don't worry about going fast. Have fun!

sevsmom

I used Hal Higdon's Novice half marathon training plan last year as I was preparing to run my first half marathon. I started training 12 weeks out. . .as the plan was designed. I, too, fell into the mindset of trying to push too hard to soon. The last 2 weeks before my race I didn't even get a long run in. I had only managed to run 12 miles for a long run 3 weeks before the race. I was terrified! Not only did I finish, but I finished well under my stated (and my private) goal time.

FOLLOW your training plan. It should contain cross training. EAT. Don't try to starve yourself. . .espeically as you get into the longer runs. STRETCH allow adequate time after your runs and after cross training to really STRETCH. It sounds silly, but stretching really really does help you avoid injury!!!

Good luck. You're gonna find this distance is addicting. I ran 2 last year and i"m going to run both again this year to see how I've improved on the same courses. Not bad for a 41 year old lady who didn't start running til she was 40- 8weeks!! LOL!!!

Go get it!!!

BobbyDaniel

Sounds like you plenty of time to work your way up to the half and lose some of that weight as an added bonus. It was a little over a year between me finishing C25K and running in my first half marathon. The key for me was extended my runs, working on distance more than speed so that my endurance was where I needed it and the speed came naturally. Just enjoy the journey and keep your eye on the goal and you should do great!