Half marathon

Thinking about doing half marathon "great north run" . I like running but never done real distance.. all comments welcomed

Replies

  • JustSomeEm
    JustSomeEm Posts: 20,269 MFP Moderator
    When is the race scheduled, and what's your longest distance so far? I've attempted 2 halfs, and only actually completed one. They're a nice distance, but you need to have long enough to train for it. :) If you have enough time, then GO FOR IT!
  • FatMoojor
    FatMoojor Posts: 483 Member
    A half is easily doable. What sort of comments are you looking for? Go online and find yourself a training plan that takes you from you longest distance at the moment up to the half marathon.

    Follow the plan, run the race, be happy :)

  • tcatcarson
    tcatcarson Posts: 227 Member
    This is still one of the best customisable online running coaches I've used.

    http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/racing/runners-world-smartcoach/3057.html

    Enter your details and look at the plan it produces for you - then decide to do it, or choose another race.

    As for the Great North Run - I did this a few years ago and the event is huge (biggest half in Europe?) and a great thing to be part of, even if the route itself is boring as hell. It's basically the motorway between Newcastle and South Shields... :|

  • cw106
    cw106 Posts: 952 Member
    edited January 2016
    Saab_2015 wrote: »
    Thinking about doing half marathon "great north run" . I like running but never done real distance.. all comments welcomed

    Great run has its own,free training schedule .also has all the details you need to register etc.
    Can even great free texts and emails with training updates.
    You can also register for great run local ,which are free 2 or 5k timed runs on a sunday,similar to park run.org.
    I do hill training at gibside,and even a pre gnr run with brendan
    foster.
    I used it succesfully last year forGNR.

    Free apps such as runkeeper and endomondo also include half plans.
    Enjoy.
  • RunnersLament
    RunnersLament Posts: 140 Member
    Awesome! Love Half Marathons (I did number 30 in the fall). A half marathon is a great distance as the training isn't as intense as it is for a full and the recovery time is less. I'm not familiar with the Great North Run (even though I am from the Great White North :smiley: ) but there are some awesome training plans out there depending on how much time you have, what your goal is and what your experience level is. Please tell us a little more about your running background and goals and maybe someone can help! Feel free to add me as a friend if you need a sounding board too, I've been a coach at the Running Room chain for several years and may be able to offer you some guidance.

    Cheers!
  • jessicaeccles
    jessicaeccles Posts: 16 Member
    DO IT! In 2013 I had pretty much never run in my life. My aunt is a very avid runner and travels to do Marathons and Half Marathons. She asked me to do the Disney Princess half marathon with her in Florida. (You get to run through disney and through the castle.. SO FUN!) Obviously I was terrified to do this but I had never really challenged myself to do anything before so I signed up. My training method was to do 3 miles 5 days a week, have one day off, and to add a mile every sunday.. (so the sunday before my half marathon I ran 12 miles & the half marathon was my first time doing 13). Obviously you can switch up the days to what works with your schedule but i liked having my friday or saturday be my one day off. Also- when I say I did 3 miles everyday that means i either ran, jogged, or speed walked. My goal was to do 15 min miles, so if you can do that by doing a light jog then great! Prior to my half marathon I did a 5k and a 10k so kind of get the feel of what a race was like. If you are able to travel somewhere to do a half marathon i recomend the Disney Princess one. People get dressed up like princesses or wear tutus and disney characters are lined up along the race so you can feel free to stop and take photos with them! It is a FUN run. Good Luck with whatever run you decide to do! Finishing is a great feeling!
  • jellebeandesigns
    jellebeandesigns Posts: 347 Member
    edited January 2016
    Halfs are easy peasy! You can do it!! I did my first 10 weeks preggo with hyperemisis
  • Saab_2015
    Saab_2015 Posts: 277 Member
    thanks guys think I was looking for excuses not to do it ... but I have just completed the application form and will try to get a run in tomorrow. I have plenty of time but really want to do the London marathon and been putting it off but if this goes well will try for it within next couple of years :)
  • Asher_Ethan
    Asher_Ethan Posts: 2,430 Member
    How far do you run now? I love running half marathons. Make sure you train properly! Don't train on a treadmill. I made that mistake once.
  • Saab_2015
    Saab_2015 Posts: 277 Member
    Haven't run for ages most I have ever run is 10k. My plan is to run 3 times a week and increase by 1 mile each week. Tomorrow is my first run will do 2miles at a slow pace to get the body use it again.