Great North Run training plan

[Fizzypineapple]

I've been inspired watching the Great North Run and I'd like to do it next year. I've done 2 half marathons before but they were 12 and 14 years ago.

The problem arises is that I'm 6 stone overweight. I know I need to she'd at least 3 stone to be able to achieve this run and I know this is just as important as the exercise training.

How does this sound for a training plan? Obviously can firm things up as time goes on and I can start saving for a personal trainer for maybe spring onwards. Not particularly bothered by the time I do (as long as not completely at the back) and happy to walk some of it if I end up needing to. Need to keep things realistic.

Plan:
Sept-Xmas (16 weeks)- work on weight loss. Build up fitness and muscles before even attempting running to avoid knee damage. 2+ walks a day with the dog. At least 1 two hour walk a week and at least 1 three hour walk a week. 1 X swim and 1 X gym a week to build fitness and muscles.

Jan - end of March (13 weeks).
Keep up the above work plus achieve Couch to 5k. I've given myself a few extra weeks in this to repeat the harder weeks if needed.

April - end of June (13 weeks). Keep up walking, gym and swim. Personal trainer if funds allow. Build from 5k to 10k.

July and August - really hammer the eating plan. Build from 10k to 10 miles. Do at least 2 13 mile runs even if there's a bit of walking needed.

Sept - GNR.

How does all this sound?

Things to think about putting on your Christmas wish list:

• proper running socks
• belt with water flask and pockets for gels/snacks, or
• hydration vest
• some gels/energy blocks to experiment with (you don't need advanced nutrition for a Half in the same way that you do for a full marathon, but you might want to try them to see if you like them)
• lightweight running jacket
• gloves and hat (I find that winter training is much comfier if my ears and hands are warm)
• a buff or two (good as headband when it's not cold enough for a hat, or round your neck to keep drafts out)
• Epsom salts, for post-run soak in the bath
• foam roller, or splash out on a theragun

You don't actually need that stuff, but if there is a Santa looking for things to fill your stocking.....

Thank you.

I have started doing a tiny bit of running on the gym treadmill and I'm doing well with it. Starting Couch 2 5k on Monday (outside - not on a treadmill). I've lost 1.5stone but haven't lost anything in about 10 days despite around 1200 calories and exercise 5 X per week. Fingers crossed the running will help as still a lot of weight loss to go.

You need to eat more! Have a good feed over the weekend and then drop your calories back down again.

Following along with you @Fizzypineapple

I have place in GNR in Sept. Most I've ever run and that was run walk was 10K. I've had two kids since then!

I'm doing the couch to 10K currently x

Well done!

Yeah I think that's what I'll do if weight doesn't change in the next couple of days.

On the plus side I just ran 5 minutes and 20 seconds without stopping! I know it doesn't sound like much but there's no way I could have done that a few weeks ago.

I did week 1 day 1 of Couch to 5k today and apart from a couple of uphill bits it felt pretty good.

Weight still pretty static so tried a higher calorie day yesterday. We'll see if that helps.

How's the training going?

Pretty good thank you. Definitely feel fitter.

Any advice for running up hills. I know it's early days but I can't run up a hill to save my life. Is it just a case that it becomes manageable with increased fitness. Unfortunately I live in a hilly area so it's hard.

run slower and do short hill reps to build stamina

I second the advice on fueling - being in a calorie deficit (or just low on carbs) while ramping up training volume or intensity is risky. In the shorter term you could compromise your adaptation to training, in the longer term you risk stress fractures and other long term issues. I'd rather be a few pounds heavier but have solid training base

Run/ walk the hills on short intervals and gradually build them up.

Flip routes around so you don't always do the same hill the same way or at the same point of a run. Meeting it the other way round or at a different stage of the run will change the way it feels so you don't get routine in always meeting it with the same energy level.

Any advice for running up hills

I live in a hilly area too and it's a blessing, not a curse. It means that courses like the Great North Run don't feel particularly hilly, whereas to those who live in a flat area, the long drag up to the coast will feel tough.

As for tips on running hills, it sounds obvious, but don't expect to be as fast on hills as you are on the flat. Take them steadily and make up your pace on the downhills where you can catch a breath. If they're very steep, walk them - there's no shame in that!

Also, as @BogRollBOGOF said, vary your routes so you don't meet the same hill at the same point every time. Hills are great training and you'll progress so much more quickly than if you were just training on the flat.

Thanks all

Today's the big day. Very scared!

Good luck @Fizzypineapple - I hope you enjoy an amazing experience and the great Tyneside atmosphere! (Despite my username I'm not local but I did GNR in 2013)

Huge good luck!!! I’m not running it this year (7 months pregnant😂) but as we are local will be watching from the half way point near our house so we will be cheering you on! Enjoy the day, the atmosphere and the crowd, you will do amazing! X

Good luck to you and everyone running today. I ran the GNR last year. It’s a great course. You can do this!

Good luck - enjoy. How has everything been going since your last posts?

Thank you everyone. I didn't do the time I hoped for but I finished which I couldn't have done this time last year. Very chaotic organisation, far too much waiting around but a great atmosphere!

Well done - fantastic.

Glad you enjoyed it @Fizzypineapple but sorry to hear you found it chaotic. I thought the opposite tbh, it's obviously the biggest half marathon out there but I've always found it to be the best organised.
It's not a particularly fast course though and today was quite hot which made it tougher still. I'm sure you'd go faster on a flatter and quieter course.

Yeah I think a less crowded course would be better. There was such a lot of waiting around at the start and end.