Couch to a half marathon!

[Mummybear1984]

Hi,

I’ve signed up to a half marathon in September and currently cannot even run for a minute! I’m determined and will be walking/ running it.

Any tips? Has anyone gone from the couch to running 13miles in 7 months?!?! 🙈

I've done it in a year. Did couch to 5k this time last year and have just run my first half. Consistency is most important, get out and run three times a week,build up to running 3 5ks in a week then once you can do that download a beginners half training plan and follow it.

Good luck. I'm very proud of my achievement and you'll do it too.

I managed to get couch to 10k in 3 months, injured myself in a inflatable fun run and back to square one, but I reckon if you take it slow and dont do too much too fast so you don’t injure yourself and make sure you have good trainers you’ll be fine.

I also managed a couch to 10k in 3 months, I was not very fast at all though, but was incredibly proud of myself as I was never a runner. I think couch to half marathon would be doable in 7 months. The best thing to do is to find a specific training plan and stick to it religiously, no skipping any training sessions etc...
You could maybe join a local running club and get tips from there too, they'll keep you going out when you might not feel like it.
Good luck!

Thank you both.

I did a 5k and 10K last September mixture of walking/ running but nothing since!

I’m starting c25k again and have joined a hiit style gym too,
Thanks youve given me hope. 😁

Make sure you have proper trainers and warm up and stretch really, really well.

With that timescale, you can't afford any time off for injury so take it sloooooowly as you build muscle otherwise you'll knackered your hips / knees etc.

If you get any kind of niggles, get thee to a physio ASAP.

When I first started running, a whole heap of post pregnancy damage was revealed which I ignored until I'd really hurt myself. As soon as a physio had checked me out, she spotted the weaknesses straight away and gave me some very targeted exercises to strengthen which, touch wood, have been solid ever since.

A foam roller is a brilliant accessory to help warm up / cool down.

I took 5 months to do C25k (young EBF baby, illnesses, starting new job). Just over 6 months after "graduating" I did a HM. I'd signed up to a 8.5mile fun run, built up with a haphazard attempt at continuing C210k plan, intending on run/ walking, accidentally ran it all and got talked into a HM 4 months later while still on a post-race high.

It went well. I used a 12wk beginners plan which followed from 5k (3.1 mi) to 10 miles, and there were lulls.

Plans vary. I always look for ones with less running and cross training mixed in.

C25k (2mths) continue into C210k (another couple of months), pick up from 10k in a HM plan. Make sure you have the 2wk taper at the end to be fresh.