Help! Contemplating half marathon but need advice!

[ArgyMargy]

Thinking about doing the Great Birmingham Run on 20 Oct. I've done a local Fun Run 8k for the last few years but I'm an off & on runner not a serious one. I don't do any exercise at all in the winter (apart from extreme housework). I did 8.7k this evening in about 55 mins and felt fine. So what's the chances of me working up to do this half marathon and does anyone have any good tips? I don't have access to a gym so all my running is round streets & fields. I try to go 2 to 3 times a week but not if its too hot, raining, etc. Any thoughts gratefully received.

Barnardo's have a useful training plan here www.barnardos.org.uk/training-halfmarathontrainingprogramme-intermediate.pdf

You'll definitely need to run more frequently though (rain or shine)

If it ain't raining, it ain't training

You say you felt fine after 5 and a half miles, but did you feel like you could run another 7 miles? I am currently running 6-7 miles, 4 times a week but don't feel ready for a half yet. I did the GNR three years ago but have had two babies since then. I know I need a lot more miles in my legs before I could attempt it.

I'd aim for a half-marathon next spring, and start now, to be honest. 8 weeks isn't much to more-than-double your distance. I reckon four/six months is a good training programme for someone who doesn't have a high level of exercise in their everyday life to achieve a half-marathon.

I am in a similar position and am doing one in September- go for it. I am doing it for a charity and they send a training plan.

I think you can do it if you don't care about time and are willing to run/walk the race. You can add a kilometre a week to a long run once a week and do a couple of shorter runs in the week to get up to a reasonable distance before the race. The last couple of miles will hurt but the crowd and other runners will get you round. You need to go off slowly though and not get overexcited.

I'm firmly of the belief you can blag a half if you have decent base fitness. You won't finish anywhere near the top, but you will get round. DH is a runner and I don't especially enjoy it but I turn up to a couple of half marathons a year, enjoy them run/walking round and don't hurt much the next day. That is, however, on the back of the gym six times a week.

Thanks all - I really appreciate all your comments. Brainbleach I think you especially have hit the nail on the head for me. I just might go for it.

Just do it. You have plenty of time to train but, as someone sai, you have to train. Bypass have some great plans on their website.

Bloody iPad. Bupa has some great training plans. Don't know who bypass are.

Try 3/4 runs a week: long, easy, tempo/ interval - that's what I've been doing and I have my first one in two weeks. Last long run today of 12 miles then I shall be doing a couple of short ones and preserving my legs. A good sports massage will help too. Good luck and enjoy!