...half marathon?

RichardJWalter
RichardJWalter Posts: 78 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Greetings,

I have an opportunity to run a half-marathon in February (Myrtle Beach). I am just finishing my first at MFP, have lost 13 pounds (30-pound goal), and am generally pretty active. at age 45.I used to run, but not for MANY years! Is this an unrealistic goal? Should I just aim at the 10K?

Thanks,
Richard

Replies

  • ridge1980
    ridge1980 Posts: 46 Member
    That's plenty of time! Go for it! I love running and training for races is the best thing to stay motivated. Here's a link to a great training plan (12 weeks to a half marathon!)

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

    Good luck!
  • jenniferstanton
    jenniferstanton Posts: 132 Member
    Sorry. Need more info. How much can you run right now?
  • RichardJWalter
    RichardJWalter Posts: 78 Member
    Sorry. Need more info. How much can you run right now?

    I don't now. I haven't tried recently. I walk 4-6 days per week, I did 3.5 miles at 3.96 mph today. I AM a bike rider (I did 275 miles from Boston to NY in July). Running? I dunno.
  • jenniferstanton
    jenniferstanton Posts: 132 Member
    Sorry. Need more info. How much can you run right now?

    I don't now. I haven't tried recently. I walk 4-6 days per week, I did 3.5 miles at 3.96 mph today. I AM a bike rider (I did 275 miles from Boston to NY in July). Running? I dunno.

    I would maybe run every other day for a week and see how far you can go and base it on that. You have till February ...lots of time depending on what number of miles you start at. Two months ago I started running 5k. At this point I'm up to 4-5 mile depending on where I run ( I run 4 when I'm doing more hills)
  • RichardJWalter
    RichardJWalter Posts: 78 Member
    ....and Myrtle Beach claims to be flat/friendly.
  • jenniferstanton
    jenniferstanton Posts: 132 Member
    Can you do some 5ks and 10ks before February?
  • RichardJWalter
    RichardJWalter Posts: 78 Member
    Sure....

    I may go to Providence, RI instead http://www.rhoderaces.com/marathon/index.html

    Closer to home AND it is in May! MAYBE I can do the full marathon??
  • VorJoshigan
    VorJoshigan Posts: 1,106 Member
    Depends. Do you mind walking? If not, then enter, train your butt off, and do your best - whatever that is. I did a half marathon (90+% walking) at 320 lbs. I did poorly (obviously), but I finished ahead of everybody who didn't do it at all.

    Sometimes you just have to take a leap.
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    If you have been a runner before and given that you are pretty fit from biking I think you can do this if you are willing to put in the training time.

    I did the same thing once going from sedentary at the end of July to a reasonably good marathon in Jan. I had been very fit in the past though and I don't recommend a marathon in 5 months from scratch unless one is willing to be exhausted most of the time.
  • fitfunk
    fitfunk Posts: 119 Member
    I say go for it, too! I'm training for my first Half next month and have been following a long training plan that has only 3 runs per week, but the training is extended to like 20 weeks (I think).

    Runners World is a great resource. They have a ton of training plans or even allow you to customize your own. It sounds like with your current level of cardiovascular fitness with the biking, and your past running experience, you should be up to snuff in no time. And as you continue to drop lbs, you'll get even faster. woo hoo!
  • jenniferstanton
    jenniferstanton Posts: 132 Member
    Depends. Do you mind walking? If not, then enter, train your butt off, and do your best - whatever that is. I did a half marathon (90+% walking) at 320 lbs. I did poorly (obviously), but I finished ahead of everybody who didn't do it at all.

    Sometimes you just have to take a leap.

    Good point!

    Good luck to you in February :)
  • RichardJWalter
    RichardJWalter Posts: 78 Member
    Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to put off the February event in Myrtle Beach in favor of a closer one in May (Providence, RI). It'll give me more warm-weather training time AND it's closer to home (about an hour!)

    Who wants to join me? Both the half and full marathons take place on Sunday, 12 May.

    http://www.rhoderaces.com/marathon/index.html

    Richard
  • kgb6days
    kgb6days Posts: 880 Member
    Absolutely there is time to train for a half. Check out some reputable sites for a training plan, begin and stick to it. You can do it, but you CANNOT just show up and run. I know you bike, but running is different. Train for it. Then go kick some asphalt!
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