Doing my first half marathon and need training advice.

roguex_1979
roguex_1979 Posts: 247 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So, basically, I am participating in a half marathon on 8th September, which gives me approximately 90 days to train up for it, but here's the thing:

I suck at running. Never could do long distance. I can sprint (for a bus mainly), or I can jog at a leisurely pace for about 4 mins before having to stop because my lungs are burning.

I don't particularly like running either. My boobs are too big and they bounce, despite my super awesome sports bra for maximum support etc, and it hurts after a while.

I am scared about injuries. I have heard about people with massive blisters, toenails going black and falling out, and I don't really want to do this as it may put me off fundraising runs in the future.

I am no disposable income, so I can't afford specialist running shoes or a personal trainer, and the worst thing I worry about is my nutrition. I can't afford fresh vegetables every day, I can't afford fresh meat everyday (I have to buy frozen stuff and ready prepared stuff in jars).

If I walk this thing, I am likely going to be last finishing. I have walked 5 miles in 1hr and 49 mins. Another 10ish miles will take that and double again. I don't want to be so last that everyone has packed up and gone home!

I have an hour each morning (except Mondays) where I can train at the gym. I don't really have time to try running/walking half marathons, except maybe on the weekends (especially if it is going to take me 5 hours to do it walking!).

I AM going to be doing this either way though, and I will start training (from tomorrow because I only got confirmation of my place today and was waiting for it to give me the kick up the backside to get back to the gym I needed), but any advice from people who have maybe recently run their first half marathon and been in similar situation as I am now, that would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry for the rant...

Replies

  • roguex_1979
    roguex_1979 Posts: 247 Member
    Anyone?
  • Krissy563
    Krissy563 Posts: 47 Member
    Not sure what you are looking for -- other than an attitude adjustment, there is no magic wand that can remove all of the obstacles you can see in your way. You simply need to put in the work. You're going to need to train for more than an hour at a time as you add mileage. Find a training plan (e.g., Hal Higdon) and stick to it.

    And seriously consider trying to find the $ to buy proper shoes and to eat right - regardless of whether you are running a half marathon. Frozen and canned veggies are fine; processed foods, not so much.
  • RunnerElizabeth
    RunnerElizabeth Posts: 1,091 Member
    Why did you choose a half marathon if you don't even like running? I do like running and sometimes I feel like 10 or 13 miles is a very long way. Why not a 5k? If you actually dedicated yourself to a 5k training schedule , you'd probably find it less intimidating, more fun, you'd be more likely to really improve your running ability and less likely to hurt yourself or give up.

    That being said, check out Hal Higdon and Jeff Galloway for half training plans. Galloway does the run walk method which might be better for you given your situation. For your training at a beginner level, your plan will probably stop at 10 miles for a long run, that should be sufficient for the goal of just finishing.

    I totally agree with the other poster though that you need to deal with the running shoes if you are serious about this.

    And as for dietary concerns, I switched over to vegan this year. That saved me a ton of money. And I work at meal planning so I have enough protein, etc. The things I was spending all my money on were meat and dairy. Just saying that you can eat real food without breaking the bank if you work at it, not that you should be vegan.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    While it is good to have lofty goals when it comes to running there are, simply, no shortcuts. If you're seriously intent on running a half marathon I'm going to suggest you have a look at Jeff Galloway's training plans (he advocates running with walking breaks and may runners have done very well with his plans) but whatever plan you decide to follow you have to stick to the plan. Consistency is one of the keystones to being successful as a runner (I define success as completing the desired distance injury free and enjoying the run)

    Decent shoes are not optional. 13.1 miles / 21.1 km is an injury waiting to happen with improper footwear, the good news is that you can often find bargains on outdated models or less popular colours - good shoes need not be prohibitively expense.

    If you need to walk it there's no shame in being last - somebody has to be and by crossing that finish line you've done something that the vast majority of the adult population would not even dare to try.

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