can I run a half marathon in 5 months time?

Oh I shall most definitely check out the motivational thread. I'm doing another half in about 4 weeks and making some mumbling noises about doing a [whispers] whole marathon in October and would love to share the highs and lows. On my way over...

ok; I started a new thread (in sports) called help need to get over the finish line. We can add to it as we like maybe? If anyone has any better ideas I will be in no way offended to change to that.

How terrible for you Shredded- that's a real shame, and 2.40 is quite respectable (I think so anyway).

I wasn't really sure what you meant about FB Friday? I took it as a no anyway. how did your run go? Did you do it?

I'd be up for a half marathon thread too as I have a place in the Great North Run this year & need to get motivated for that!

I would be up for a half marathon motivational thread too! I attempted my first one in January, but I didn't get to finish it due to bad weather (it was a circular route, and they didn't let the slow runners at the back like me run the last mile as there was a short cut to the finish and they understandably wanted us off the course). I felt fairly cheated, since I'd trained for it, had quite a lot of sponsorship money raised and was heading for a 2.45 time, which in several inches of snow was not too bad for a first timer (I was aiming for less than three).

So I have entered another one in mid-May and not done very much training yet. I have lost my oomph . I've done a couple of 10Ks and a ten-miler since then, but need to get my mojo back.

The furthest I had run before my last one was 10 miles. Lots of people told me that if I could go that far I'd be fine on the day. I also told to look at it as a 10 miler with a 5k added on the end - not sure if that helps or not .

That sounds great then! What's the best way to do an online thing do you think? Start a new thread if others want to join in or email or maybe create a Facebook page and report to that?

Five months is plenty of time. Once you start you'll be surprised how quickly you gain fitness. DD has trained to run the London marathon in five months, she's built up from painfully hobbling a 20 minute run to running for a couple of hours and being able to hold a conversation while running.

Good luck.

My running pack just arrived for my half marathon in four weeks time (gulp!)

That's it now. I HAVE to get on with it. Just did a quick 3 miles - was nice to get out actually.

x

I'm doing a half in September also. I'm using my.asics.co.uk/my/dashboard It is great, you can log runs but also it will prepare a plan for you. I've done a lot of playing around to get the right plan, but hopefully it'll get me fit enough to at least get round.

As long as you do actually get out and run, you should be fine.

It's definitely do-able in someone with no health problems/ injuries, but you prob shouldnt expect a personal best.

If you went out for a run now, how far would you realistically be able to run, and how long would it take? Also, do you have a time in mind for Cardiff or do you just want to "get round"? Will you consider it a failure if you end up walking bits of it?

Runners World is good for training programmes. However, experience has shown me that it helps to throw a real cardio buster into the mix once a week- like spin or boot camp- something that literally makes you feel like you're gonna die (if you can find a running club they will do a track session that achieves the same). Works miracles on your time.

Really looking like a dick now... I wouldn't know where or how you do something like that but Id be keen as I have not really got into my training for my half; and the furthest I've ever run is 12km!! Haven't really met anyone here yet that is motivated to exercise so it's hard to keep it up by myself.

Oops sorry stupid iPhone I was going to say "some sort of m

Do u want to start some sort of motivation thread somewhere on m'net? to keep up the training. Id be keen

The big difference between you and a lot of people is that you've done it in the past - that will make things a lot easier. Also there is a huge difference between a half and a full marathon (which somebody suggested is not good training for in a short time, and I tend to agree). Half a stone is also not a lot overweight - that will drop off once you start training.

It sounds like you've got a lot of things in place - childcare sorted and somewhere good to run. Having a commitment to train when you get to the park also helps when you're not feeling like it (though don't be tempted to carry on if you're injured). Just take it steady and build up gradually and you'll not have a problem.

If you're reasonably young and healthy, then I tend to agree there's not a lot of point in seeing your doctor - especially given you've run before. Having presumably had plenty of medical attention with your children you should know if you have any fundamental issues which might be a problem.

I would say it's long enough. I am doing my second half marathon in June and I think a lot of it is psychological. If you think you can do it then you will. You do need practice as well though. Find out the route of the race to find out if there are lots of hills and do similar. Also vary your routes or it gets boring. I am much faster that I was last year. For example, I can run 7 miles in just over an hour whereas last year I would have done about 4.5 in that time.

Ooh melpomene I like that site.

I use mapmyrun to calculate my own routes - but i like the idea of nicking someone else's preplanned routes. gonna have a good look now - and nip out for half an hour :)

Oh, and one of the most helpful resources I used during my training was this route-planning site. You can plot out routes, see routes other people have plotted in your area, and log every run to keep track of your progress and pace. It instantly tells you the distance of each route so makes it really easy to build up your distance while varying your route to stave off boredom.

5 months should be enough, especially if you've run a similar distance in the past. I trained for four months for my half marathon, starting from being able to run 5k (but only doing that once a week or so) and never having gone any further. I followed a training programme with 2 or 3 'short' runs each week (4.5 miles or so) and a 'long' run each Sunday morning, building up the distance of the long run by 10 per cent each week.

The training is quite a time commitment so you need to think about how you'll fit it in. If the run is in 5 months that means you'll need to do a lot of training over the summer (assuming you're in the Northern hemisphere?) so it's worth thinking about how you'll cope with that (early morning/evening runs/ air conditioned gym).

Obviously you need to listen to your body and not overstretch yourself - even if you end up completing the course at a slow jog, with walking breaks, it's still an accomplishment.

xposted about the parkrun.

I do highly recommend it though for getting serious!

I think you can with 5 months to get into it. Especially as it is the summer (?) months - long days, better weather.

I am doing a half marathon in May! Am not totally convinced that I will manage it yet, but my training runs are 10K local routes. I can generally run 2/3 of the route, but have to take walking breaks.

do you have a parkrun event near you? These are great for getting into the running spirit. parkrun. It is a timed 5K run - on a Saturday morning. All for free too (although they do accept online donations). I have been doing it for almost a year - and my time has improved a lot. It is a good way to meet other runners- you may be able to source a running buddy.

good luck. If I can do a half I am sure you can :)

I'm sure 5 months is plenty of time. The furthest I'd run before my first half was 10 miles - so if you could take the first 2 months to get up to running 5km (about 3 miles), you can then just add 0.5 mile a week to your long run. Why don't you enter a Race for Life (or similar) in around 2 months time to give you something to aim for?
Is it the Great North Run you're doing by the way? If so, I'm v jealous, it really is such a great occasion. Good luck!
[disclaimer: not an actual doctor by the way]