Half Marathon Friends please!

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

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.

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?

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

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 ;-)

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.

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!

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....

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.

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!

Feel free to add me. I am running one in May, and I'm nervous!

I have done a couple of half marathons. I was training for a marathon last year, but was laid up with cellulitis. Now, I too, am training for a half marathon on April 7. Feel free to add me. Running buddies are always nice.

Just PR'ed my Half time last week! The half is a great distance!! The first 3 fly by, the last 3 are exciting. Its the miles in the middle that will get you. Run your race and dont concern yourself with other runners. Have a great time!

My first half is on March 16th (5 weeks!!). So far I've gotten up to 12 miles (last weekend!).

I'm always looking for more runner friends! Feel free to add me!

I am also looking for Half Marathon friends. I will be doing my 3rd Half Marathon on 2/24. I call myself a "wogger. I am signed up to do another Half in May 2013. Support of friends is much appreciated!!