Couch (and massively overweight) to half marathon

I have done this but it took longer because of injuries, I'd really recommend biking and swimming to begin with, you get to increase your fitness and cardio levels while losing the weight without the strain on your ankles and knee and feet before going into c25k.
You will highly likely have injuries because ita a lot of strain on the joints running with excess weight and its really tough to restart when it feels like everytime their is a problem I am still suffering from plantar fascinating and sore knees from when I was trying c25k at my heaviest. Embrace the bike and swim and other low impact exercises to begin with!

I went from never running to a full marathon in a year and a half. I wasn't overweight at the time (I am now!) but very unfit and a smoker. I probably could have got there a couple of months earlier.

Have a look into 5k and 10k races to use as progress steps. I loved doing the colour run 5k and glow in the park 5k or 10k. A friend of mine did the electric one and the photos looked amazing.

I really don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but the slight issue with your plan is it doesn't leave much wriggle room for any sickness or injuries.

I would be worried that you might overlook what are great fitness achievements in themselves- running a 5k and then a 10k - if you didn't achieve your half marathon goal.

I'd say have it as a goal, but review your timings after every 3 months and see how you are feeling.

You definitely can do it, and a year is a long time to achieve it.

I ran a 10K yesterday with a friend. I'd normally run it in around 45-50 mins, so am usually surrounded by quite fit people, generally with the body shape to support that. But yesterday we did the 10K in 1hr 15, and I can assure you that there was a vast array of body shapes/sizes taking part. It was interesting to see the different approaches to it - some people zooming off for a few metres and then grinding to a halt, and others taking a more sensible steady but consistent pace.
All the advice to get involved with your local parkrun is very sound. Start now. Walk it to begin with, and over time you can add in some running. It's a great way to support your C25K journey, and also to monitor progress over time. You very much won't be alone.
Set yourself some other goals once 5k is under your belt - a couple of 10k events for example. It will help with motivation and giving you something to aim for.

Losing weight may happen as a result of extra exercise, but a focus on nutrition/diet from the outset will make a big difference to how easy the exercise is (and of course to your health overall).

Good luck!

@Moneymoneymoney1979 - I'm sorry you've taken that from what people have said, that definitely wasn't my intention. It's just I'm speaking from experience when I say that setting small goals is a good idea. If I had gone from being inactive to targeting a half marathon I would have given up for sure but instead I have got to a place where I can run 5k comfortably. That's no less of an achievement given when I started I could not even jog for 60 seconds. Absolutely the same is applicable for you - set small goals along that journey to half marathon, build your confidence and you will get there in the timing that's right for you and your body.

I think it's definitely possible, your plan seems like a sensible build up. You really need to be able to walk 5k at a brisk pace before you start C25K. I would definitely look at your diet for weight loss though. Plenty of overweight people run half marathons but it can't be easy and it will increase your risk of injury.
Also bear in mind how hard it is to get a place in the GNR so you might need to fundraise for a charity place.

Most people on this thread think you can do it - there's only a couple of naysayers. There's certainly nothing to be lost in trying is there? Lots of people walk half marathons these days so surely the worst that would happen would be you run/walking it?

Only advice I would add is try and fit in some cross training if you can - building up the muscles in your legs will really help avoid injury. Ideally get some yoga in too as stretching will help stop everything getting tight.

I'd be really concerned about the impact on your joints. You said your knees already hurt when you get up!

I would start with diet and focus on getting fit and strong in a low impact way, and then start running. To reduce the risk of injury.

Would you consider engaging the services of a fitness professional to help you prepare? I am very active and not overweight and for me my running has stagnated at the 5k mark, just because I'm not a natural runner. I am starting from a place of already being physically fit and I would not do what you are proposing without professional help.

I think you’ve been given some great advice. A few suggestions from me;

• check out local running clubs to add a social element. Some run couch to 5k some hold 5-10k programmes. Some are purely social and have a big mixture of runners.
• do a mobility programme alongside. You can probably find some for free on YouTube. I do an online one with a monthly subscription. It will help keep injuries at bay.

Great idea to do along side sorting out your diet

As exercise won't make a impact on a bad diet.

I wouldn't be running a marathon if quite overweight just due to the impact on your joints and skeleton

I would concentrate on diet mostly first and once you have lost 5/6 stone then ramp up the exercise.

If you need inspiration, the movie “Britney runs a marathon” is great. Based on a true story and shows the ups and downs of learning to run whilst literally on the couch, overweight to a marathon.

It wasn't planned that way but I went from week1 C25k to HM in 364 days. It took me 5 months to get through C25k (I had a young baby, was recovering from SPD and started working again which slowed it all down) I mainly ran late at night after the cluster feeds.

When 5k was getting into sight I signed up for an 8mi event with the intention of run/ walking, trained up to 6mi and surprised myself on the day by running 8mi. I then found myself talked into running a HM for 4 months later.

I did a 12 week beginers plan starting from 10k (and I struggled to keep milage up straight after the race).

The hardest bit is usually the first 5k. From that point it's building stamina.
If things are tricky, "Jeffing" run/ walk intervals are perfectly acceptable at any distance.

Make sure there is a monthly "rest week" where the milage scales back. Do some strength/ mobility work too to help reduce injury. Brisk walking is a good starting point as it will help with stamina.

Unfit to HM in a year is viable though. I ended up doing C25k because I'd finally stopped limping and was fed up of puffing everywhere.

Good luck!!
Definitely worth taking your time as other have said to avoid injuring yourself early on

I'd also look at signing up to a 10K in the summer as a mini goal? If you are in the north the Darlington 10k is at the start of August and a nice flattish 2 loops

Also look at joining a local running club - they may have a C25K group or joint once you have got through it. The coaching and support from my club is invaluable

I would start with a 5k and a 10k and see if you enjoy them. Enjoy not endure. A half marathon is then about 20k.

i know so many people who made a big thing about a famous race and then hated the training and/or got injured. When you can happily do a 10k then enter a half marathon? There are loads of them around.

Start doing park run every week now, you can walk it to start off and build up to running

How old are you? That’s probably the most important question.

7 stone is a lot to lose - easier if you’re younger and less risk of injury.

but I love your confidence. I am significantly overweight as well and fear of injury probably making me worse.

Hopefully you already know this but GNR you either have to apply for a ballot place or commit to fundraising for charity. The memberships with guaranteed entry for next year are sold out.

You can also try eBay for a race number close to the date though - it's not allowed but most people seem to get away with it. I hope you manage to get a place if you want one.

I was about 2-3 stone overweight when I started trying couch to 5km. How are your knees? I had to mix it up with the elliptical trainer so I wasn't pounding down on my joints at the beginning too much. That meant I did have to do every week at least 3 times. I would definitely add something in (doesn't have to be elliptical) that isn't hurting your knees/feet while you're overweight. You can do less of it as the weight comes off you!

(Btw I am still trying to move from 5-10km but I do work FT out the home so I find it hard to fit training in!)