Couch to Half Marathon... can it be done?

I don't know about 296 days. I weighed 265 when i started. It took me a little over a year. I didn't try too hard in the beginning though. Tomorrow I'm running my first half marathon.

I started my walking/running at 355 and I have completed a half marathon (I weighed around 280 on race day). Running/walking has been my main exercise and I've done cardio only (and yoga). I think you can do it.

As mrk says, I do recommend a few shorter races, but you can work those into the training. If you can walk 3 miles, you can walk a 5K... and just keep doing what your doing.. start with walking and slowly build speed and distance.. trust me you will lose weight in the process!

Good luck!

You absolutely can do it - especially if you are just looking to finish. Personally, I think you have plenty of time to run a half marathon. Your weight will drop as you train. Just take it slow and definitely start off training for a 5K, get a few under your belt and start increasing your miles. There are plenty of training programs out there for beginners. If you are seriuos about acheiving your goal, you can definitely do it. Good luck!

I absolutely think you can do it!!! But you will have to be very disciplined. I ran my first half marathon after I had lost 100 lbs, but I started with some smaller races. The very first race that I ran after losing all my weight was a 10K and I thought I killed it! I was so excited that I wished I would have shot for the 1/2 to begin with. Shortly thereafter though, I suffered an injury due to overtraining:( So it took me another 8 months to be able to run my 1/2. I didnt do it in the time that I wanted, but I did it!! Since then I've fought several injuries, a few more 10Ks and 2 more 1/2s. Right now, I'm back at square one (walk/running about 10-12 miles a week) and am starting a training program for a 1/2 in November. It can be done!!!

Stick to your guns, dont let anyone get you down, definitely watch your diet and you'll get there. Nutrition is just as important to running as the actual training. Unfortunately it doesnt give you the right to eat whatever you want:( But you CAN do it!!!! and you will lose weight!! Set that site in your line as well!!! Best of luck... Add me if you'd like to help support one another!!

HEY! I am training for a 5K at the end of April. I know Im gonna do it... I dont really care what other opinions are Im doing it want to do it with me? Add me

GOOD FOR YOU!!!! That is a GREAT attitude!!!!

In June of 2010, I started running at about 280 pounds. In November of that same year, I ran my first half marathon - at about 210 pounds.
You can do it, but as others have said, it's a lot of hard work. I would also agree with others that you should do some shorter races before then - you really don't want that to be your first race. By the time I had run my first half, I had also run 3 5K's, 2 10K's, 2 5-milers, and 2 10-milers. So, I was able to really build up to that half. I have since, run 3 full marathons and 8 half marathons.
Good luck. Oh and make sure you get shoes that fit right. By the time you do your half, you'll most likely be on a second pair.

Oh, and I've never used a treadmill in my entire life. Running used to be hard enough, but without getting anywhere? No way!
I like my dirt trails, but am thinking my current one may not be quite busy enough (it goes behind an industrial area, and I watch too many crime shows...)

Last January I got off the couch and by the 3rd week in April I did a half marathon in 4 hrs 11 mins. I have kept training all year and on the 21 will run it again - I'm on track to finish in 3 hrs 30 mins or less.

YOU can totally do this

YOU CAN DO IT. But it has to be done in steps. Forget the Half Marathon for now. First goal should be to finish a 5k this summer, then a 10K this fall. By early next year, you will be doing a Half. That's what I did.

This is a good approach. Break your goal of a Half Marathon into smaller achievable goals. This will provide good motivation as you progress in training. You will be encouraged by your accomplishments along the way and also have fun at the events!

You can absolutly do it. You have to really want it. Just take it slow and you can do it.

From my running days I know that increasing your distance by more than 10% a week really increased your chances of injury, I cant remember the study but its in fitness for dummies or running for dummies or womens running - a fairly mainstream running guide. Thats quite a slow build up. Of course start with building up a twenty minute run and then adding distance each week to whatever you can run in 20mins or similar beginners running plan.

Running is great exercise, quick immediate and totally cathartic, but you can get hurt. I would go for building up to the half marathon with smaller races.

I'll be another voice saying BABY STEPS. Work to a 5k and getting your weight down to a healthier # and then go to the half. Why rush the experience? When you get closer to your goal weight and have a good base of running under your belt, the half marathon training experience and race itself will be far more enjoyable and have less likelihood of resulting in injury.

Ok, I know everyone is going to immediately say "Yes" to that question so let me explain a bit more.

I am 24 years old and I currently weigh over 300lbs. Dieting has always been hard for me, but I love to exercise, but lack motivation for the most part. So I have gone years without doing much of it. I recently started going to the gym again and being serious about my weight loss and health journey. A thought occurred that a way to keep myself motivated would be to have a goal. Not a weight loss goal because those nearly always fail me and I don't want to go down that path again, but a fitness goal. I want to be able to enter and finish a half marathon by January. Any and all weight lost will be a bonus. A highly desired bonus, but I know if I fixate on it too much I will just give up.

So far I can walk 3 miles on the treadmill. I have a long way to go, and only 296 days to do it. Is it possible?

This documentary that aired on PBS really helped me understand the physiology of running and the possibility of the human body. See what you think And either way, you are doing a great job of changing your life and honoring your strength through fitness. Keep it up!!!!!

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/marathon-challenge.html

take it slower in my opinion. that is pretty aggressive.