Couch (and massively overweight) to half marathon

[Moneymoneymoney1979]

I'd like to do the Great North Run next year. I currently do pretty much no exercise apart from gentle walking. I'm about 7 stone overweight.
Does this plan sound sensible or would you add/change anything?

52 weeks to go:
6 weeks - increase walking distance, frequency and speed of walking e.g. walk dog twice a day but increase distance and speed. Add in extra round the block walks too.
18 weeks - couch to 5k (do each week twice so it's built up more steadily).
10 weeks - get from 5k to 10k. Introduce swimming too?
Rest of the time - build up getting from 10k-at least 10 miles. Really work on best nutrician as distance increases.

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!

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.

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 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!