AIBU to think I can run a marathon in a year?

[sparkleandsunshine]

I'm big, I'm on slimming world, I've lost just over a stone but I'm still 15st6lb, now a size 20 and do literally do no exercise.

I've been feeling great eating healthy and decided I wanted to do some exercise, and it needs to be something I can just go out and do rather than travel to (I have a 3 month old) so I decided to run.

I went out the other day and ran a mile. It took me 16 minutes and I felt like I was going to die.
I've only spoken about it with one friend and my DP who are keeping it a secret at my request. And they've signed up for the Norwich 10k with me in August. Then I went for a run last night, it's the first run of a 12 week training plan to run 10k (the run is just over 12 weeks from now) and it wasn't so bad because there was loads of intervals walking and running. But I only covered 1.65 miles in 25 minutes.

I can't even imagine running 10k. Which is why this next bit is crazy, I've got this weird dream that I could run a marathon this time next year. I'm huge and so unfit, I'm pretty sure this is impossible. I'm right, right?

My DP and friend are really encouraging but I'm not telling anyone else at the moment in case I fail. I don't want anyone I know IRL to think "yeah there's no way she can do that" but I really really want to do it. I even started a blog to write it all down and try and be positive, but I'm not sharing it on social media or with any of my friends yet. I put my weight on there too. I think they'd be shocked at how heavy I've got. I called it tubbygirlrunning.co.uk to try and laugh it all, but I'm not laughing.

I'm so ashamed of what I've let myself become.

I gues what I'm looking for is if there's anyone that's done what I want to do? Or any runners who maybe wanna give me a reality check or have any tips. Just honest opinions really, is this crazy? Am I just making a fool of myself?

Nothing is impossible, especially with a lot of dedication and a well considered plan. It sounds like a fantastic goal Op and I wish you the best of luck!

I have a dream to compete at a High level in my chosen sport and I started to think that the only thing that holds you back is yourself.. so I'm going to go for it, fingers crossed for us both! We won't lose anything for trying :)

Anything is possible if you train for it, give it a go.

I can recommend a Facebook group I'm on called 'Running the distance'. People on there from complete beginners to elite athletes, all amazing supportive people cheering each other on and offering fantastic advice on running. The Norwich 10K is a lovely fun event with lots of first timers. It'll be my third one this year 😊. Find a beginner's marathon training plan online (the Bupa ones are good). You can do it.

What's the worst that can happen? You don't run a marathon? A gazillion people have not run a marathon. It's no big deal not to run a marathon.

Now, what's the best that can happen?

Go for it!

It is absolutely possible to run a marathon in a year - my friend did it - she was inspired by one going past her house and a year later ran her first marathon! I will say though that she had a degree of fitness already as she cycled to work and around town etc, and towards the end (the last 3 months or so) it did become all consuming getting the long training runs in, but she started from 0 with the couch to 5k do it's completely doable!

There's absolutely no reason why you shouldn't set yourself goals if that'll help you keep up fitness, especially if your DP and friend are supportive. Just take your time, take it easy on yourself - don't forget this is new and new things are always hard! And you're absolutely not making a fool of yourself, promise. What's that This Girl Can meme? "I might be slow, but I'm lapping everyone on the sofa..."

Also, for a little encouragement -I'm a runner & took my sil out(at her request) roughly 2 years ago, she struggled to do 1k & I mean seriously struggled, she completed a marathon this year.

I am big and I run. The first three weeks was miserable. Really miserable. And then it got easier and more fun. Stick through these three weeks and you will start to feel more positive about it, I promise.

I went from not running at all to a half marathon in 6 months. It really put me off running for a long time though.

Go for it op! I'm inspired by you and am also hoping to go from novice to 10k at least by September. You can do it!

So yes doable but I think you'll hate it by then end. I would say sign up for one 10k a month from the Norwich one so you have a target to keep you going. Then a ten miler. Then a half. Or find more challenging shorter events. Hilly or rough terrain. It's more important to keep going with lots of small challenges than one huge one.

Running a marathon is easy. It's training for it that's the hard bit, if you can stick to a training plan you'll easily be able to do it.

An (unfit, overweight) friend of mine came to watch me run the London marathon a few years ago and decided to apply for it the next year. She has now ran 15 marathons in 3 yrs.

Most marathons are April ish time so if you're in Norfolk I'd recommend joining your local parkrun now as you can walk/run and the people are lovely, doing the Norwich 10K in August, Coltishall Jolly Jaguars 10K in September, Trowse or Marriotts Way 10K in October, Freethorpe 10 mile in January and perhaps Broadland half marathon in March. Lots of little goals to build up to and the medal at the end makes it worth it (for medal whores like me any way 😁). Feel free to PM me.

Come on...I'm a pretty slow runner but even I could manage a marathon in a year

Ive just signed up for one...
Two days ago i went for mu first run.
Right now it would be impossible but i have to believe i can do it...

Nothing is impossible! I did C25k in March, a 10k in July, and a half marathon in the September. I'd never run in my life and was 40. I didn't do a marathon till 3 years later, but had done some other impossible things in between!

If you follow the training plans and believe in yourself you can do it. Especially in the slower people of the marathon pack, you'll meet people of all ages and sizes with amazing stories.

Go for it, why not?

I would say though that the best training for a marathon isn't just running. Anything you can do to a)improve overall fitness and b)support your core strength / back will be beneficial.

Good luck!

Check out Fat Girl Run - good luck

This thread is so supportive and inspirational!

I was 16 stone 12 when I started running and was running 10k in under an hour within 3 months. I have a foot problem which stopped me for a long time, then I had ds and have put on a lot of weight (not up to the almost 17 stone I was but a fair bit), I ran my first 10k in almost 3 years today (after a month of running) in 1 hour 8.5 mins. I am sure you will be able to achieve your goals, I wish you good luck.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

Go OP, I believe in you. You obviously really want to do it, and you have the support and encouragement of your DP and your friend. That's the first hurdle!

I started running (having never run at all) 6 months ago and completed my first half marathon last Monday! And unlike confidentlyunhinged I loved it and I've already signed up for two more!! Everyone is different, you never know what that one small step can lead to!

You can do it!!!!!!

I'm literally on the verge of tears, went off to feed baby and came back to all these lovely replies!

Thanks so much guys, I was so nervous to post and I feel great now! Can't wait to get out for my next run!!!

howabout and facefacts come back here and let me know how you get on!
natwebb79 I think if I ever get my first medal I will become a medal whore 😂 I did a 8k walk today for a virtual runner (they said it was ok to walk) medal- it was a really dorky Revenge of the Sixth Star Wars one 😂 But I would love to run with other people and get one. Thank you so much for all your advice and all the run info! I'll def PM you if I think of any questions.

Thank you so much everybody, I feel so inspired and supported, you guys are great, MN rocks xxx

helenfagain good on your for going back to it! I hope I'm half as motivated as you!

Thank you ImStickMan and congratulations of your Half Marathon! Basically where you are now is where I would love to be in 6months!

I've been my DD round the living room with happiness (also trying to get her off to sleep) I'm feeling that inspired right now, totally feel like I can do this! DP just came in and said "what are you doing?" And I was all like "LOOK OTHER PEOPLE THINK I CAN DO IT!"
He's smiling but he blatantly thinks I'm crazy for the dance 😂

*dancing my DD round the living room

Typing so fast it all went a bit haywire!

OP, I ran the London Marathon 12 years ago (and have done it twice since then) from being completely unfit although I wasn't overweight. The good thing about starting from being really unfit is that you improve very quickly in a short space of time. The first run I did, I ran for 4 minutes before I had to stop. Within a month, I could run for 30 minutes. After 3 months, I could run for an hour and a half. It's definitely doable. Good luck! The great thing about long distance running is that anyone who is in reasonable health can do it if you do the training- the last Marathon I did, I got overtaken by an 83 year old.

You can do it.
I built up from 5k to the great north run half marathon. What I didn't plan for though was the loneliness. Running on own wasn't for me and my schedule was that that I couldn't commit to training with others.
But each to their own. Go for it