Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to think I could run a half marathon in 5months time?

34 replies

SoCockneyItHurts · 14/10/2018 18:16

Bearing in mind I'm unfit, overweight by 5 stone (but tall-ish), 44 years old and have the odd aches and pains.....oh and I couldn't run for a bus if i tried!!!

OP posts:
Wingbing · 14/10/2018 21:54

Did my first half today after doing c25k. Can’t believe i’m saying this, but it wasn’t that hard and not too far.

Stick to the training plan and you can do it. It’s about the distance rather than speed for me. I did it in 2:27 and kept a steady pace all way round.

Godimsounimaginative · 14/10/2018 21:59

@LoudestRoar what was your time for the London marathon if you don't mind me asking?
Sorry to go off on a tangent OP, honestly of course you can do it, and even if you don't finish it within time, you'll still have achieved a mass of incredible things and you'll look and feel so much healthier! It's win-win!

LoudestRoar · 15/10/2018 03:10

@Godimsounimaginative My time was 7 hours and 26 seconds.
I was aiming for under 7 hours, but after training in the freezing cold and snow of The Beast from the East, Marathon Day was then the hottest ever on record! It just sapped all my energy, as I wasn't used to running in the heat. Smile

seassirene · 15/10/2018 07:20

Not sure if this is the greatest idea, tbh.

I started running at your age. Eighteen months later and I'm just about to run a half-marathon.

I think you might be pushing it. It is always better to have a couple of weeks' slack in a training plan, and your timescale is so tight that a week here and a week there might throw you off completely. You won't always want to run, even if you love it. You might need to be doing other things. You might (will) get injured/ill. I lost a few weeks going from 10K (and I could run that distance easily) to HM - a bad cold, toes so bruised I could barely walk.

Being overweight will put you at increased injury risk (esp. of stress fracture), as will the rapid increase in mileage.

Over-winter training brings its own challenges - are you happy to run in the dark? In gales and freezing rain/winds? You might lose a couple of weeks to snow/ice (unless you can run on a treadmill).

Are you going to be running alone? I'm pretty motivated but I would not have kept on running were it not for an informal network of local new runners - we often run together and encourage each other. Running can be really psychologically hard sometimes!

I would say absolutely start running, but take it more slowly, so that it becomes part of your life and not just a short-term project.

huispaus · 15/10/2018 07:23

5 months is definitely doable! Start slow, remember to have rest days in between, and don't overdo it (especially at the start) lest you get injured.

Randomusername01 · 15/10/2018 07:25

Easily. Didn't jade goody manage 18 miles of a full marathon despite doing next to no training? I'm sure I remember reading that and being mildly impressed 😀

AnonaMouse1 · 15/10/2018 08:09

I'm 50 in 2 weeks and barely had time to train for yesterday's half! It was fine. Ran first 8 Miles then jeffed the rest and came in at my usual time with a ten min loo break in there as well

Plenty power walking as well. Ache a bit this morning as expected.

Go for it op... life's too short

Verbena87 · 15/10/2018 08:25

I think you can - if you go on ‘my asics’ you can put in your details and race date and get a tailored plan.

You do also need to do some core stuff to avoid injury. I’d do a couple of Pilates classes so you know proper form and then aim to do a Pilates session 3x a week in addition to 3 runs, and do 3 sets of pelvic floor exercises a day starting straight away (nhs Squeezy app is great) because any pelvic floor weakness/issues will be exacerbated by running, especially if you’re currently a bit heavy for your frame. (And if you’ve got no problems, you’ll still get better bladder control and stronger orgasms so really it’s win win).

I run and did my first half maybe 2 years in, but it involves running over a mountain - think I could’ve done it on the flat much sooner!

putthehamsterbackinitscage · 15/10/2018 09:31

Just read your updates...

Yes start now with walking to work alongside a couch to 5k plan..

Keep it very slow and easy. Get some decent trainers and advice from a running shop (ideally a local specialist not Sports Direct).

Try to do something else too eg yoga, pilates or swimming and have 1 total rest day where you don't do any specific exercise eg your week might be

Monday - rest
Tuesday - 30 mins c25k
Wednesday - Yoga or pilates class
Thursday - 30 mins c25k
Friday - 30 mins brisk walk
Saturday - family swim
Sunday - long run day (start with 30 mins c25k)

Don't fixate on pace or distance too much... just work at time on your feet - 30 mins walking or running to start with and then progress gradually to build one longer session each week...

Oh and look after yourself too... relaxation, stretching, footcare are all important... and maybe a massage as a treat every few weeks..

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread