Unnatural runner doing a half marathon

I think I might fit that description.

I was never a runner. I'm something of an accidental runner almost. I only started running because I was committed to losing weight and taking VERY long walks, and once I was accustomed to these long walks the only way I could challenge myself was doing something more, like running or biking. Running is free so I started with that.

I was regularly doing 6 mile walks before I started adding in a little running for short bursts during my walks. It was not long before I was going 6 miles with this mix of walking and running. So I signed up for a 10k since I was already going that distance regularly. Sort of a "bucket list" thing, I suppose.

I planned on walking an running that 10k, and started at the back of the pack. I paced myself with those runners and wound up running the whole 10k! I had never run a mile before that day, and here I just went and finished 6.2 miles nonstop! It was a huge thing mentally. It really proved a lot of things to me, most of all that I could push myself further than I thought possible.

So I kept running. It took me a while to begin running 6 miles somewhat regularly, but I did. I kept adding a mile every week to my long run and decided to sign up for a half marathon to challenge myself to keep adding miles by the upcoming race date. I increased the miles, and finished that first half marathon!

I have however found myself having to stop running on a couple occasions due to foot pain...injury basically from pushing myself so hard for so long. It did not have to be that way and I am now working on the root causes of that. It basically comes down to strength and form in my case. The injuries are mostly due to running for extended periods with bad form. Sure, I can make the distance with that bad form, but I shouldn't. The correction to this bad form is increasing strength in my core and other parts of my legs that I am not using when running and stressing other parts of my body to compensate on long distances. I need the added strength to maintain good form for long distances. Running is becoming easier as far as I can tell. I am running faster for sure. I am able to maintain better form (and therefore keep running stronger) for further distances too.

I wish I had known this from the start. Instead of gunning for the half so soon, I would have spent some months simply building some added strength and muscle to help with running, and then after that started going for distance. Had I done that I could have still been running for that couple months where I was down to heal my foot, and would be running even farther than I am right now (at least comfortably and sustainably).

When I first decided to do a half marathon, I was a begrudging high school cross country runner who thought anything more than 2-3 miles = death. I hated running and really struggled with anything seven or more miles. I just wanted it to be easier and to come more naturally to me, and I didn't want to work at it.

Fast forward 7 years, and I had run 6 half marathons and decided to run my first full marathon. It wasn't until I finally a) had no more knee problems and b) had a different attitude about running that I was able to break through my mental wall and really enjoy longer runs. I've now run 8 halves and 1 full, with another half and another full this spring.

The biggest thing for me I think was that I finally managed to get rid of and prevent a recurrences of IT Band syndrome and tendinitis. That allowed me to run for the sake of running rather than seeing it as some sort of slogging torture. But it also took me a long time to reconcile distances with myself and convince myself I could do it; once I had the confidence, I was running 12+ miles at a time easily!

Good luck with your training! I'm not sure if my personal saga helps, but I hope it does!

It is so nice to hear people of similar running experiences. I was always the tall kid with scoliosis in school - but swimming helped naturally align my body while I was growing. In high school I wanted to do a little more to help with staying fit in the spring - so I joined track to throw shotput. What I didn't know going in was how much my coach was going to push me to condition myself to run. She kicked my butt, but she also gave me the confidence to push a little farther and extend my boundaries. I started out with two knee braces and wheezing after a quarter mile - since then I have run two regular 5k's and last summer I did my first Warrior Dash. I am in no way a fast runner - but boy, is iy awesome to cross the finish line
For training, what works best for me is to keep up with my strength workouts. When my legs are conditioned that way, it helps keep in good form when running. I also like to find random parks in the area, turn on the gps, and just go for 20-30 minutes.

Have you considered planned walk intervals? Once I got up to 4.5 or 5 miles, I started having hip issues while running continuously. I started incorporating walk breaks and haven't had any issues since. I am most definitely NOT a natural runner. But I have completed 3 half marathons to date and am planning another this fall. I typically will do 8 to 10 minutes running, 1 minute walking. It's enough to help with the mental hurdle (I only have to make it another x minutes, then I can take a break) and the break keeps my form better so I don't get injured. As a bonus, I'm actually a little bit faster this way too.

If you can do 10K now you should be able to get up to HM distances by September injury free by following something like one of Hal Higdon's training plans (check out the Novice one). Don't forget to cross/strength train, it'll help with injury resistance and muscular imbalances (pay particular attention to core/hips/glutes)

If this is your first race I'd also suggest, if at all possible, that you sign up for a couple of shorter distance races (a 5K and a 10k for example) to give you a little exposure to racing. Even if your plan is to just finish with a smile on your face a little experience will help with the mental preparation. Racing can be a lot of fun but it can also be a little intimidating at first. Have fun!

Hahaha I love this post. I am NOT a natural runner. I don't glide like a gazelle. I bumble along and look like I'm about to die... Or at least, that is how I feel -lol- I've got MFP friends that log 6 minute mile runs. I'm over here like really?!?!? I bounce around between a 12 minute and 10 minute mile. My saving grace is that I may be slow but I can cover a lot of ground. I have to use timers to remind me to drink water and turn back around. The downside, unless it is a long run, I'm a "back of the pack" runner. I don't even like running. I love the feeling AFTER but during??? I am mentally kicking myself for putting on my shoes

Lol you are 100% right about race day adrenaline. My favorite part of any race is the first 5 minutes. I feel like speed racer passing everyone. Sometimes this gets me in trouble -lol-