How hard is it to run a half marathon?

[pavlovthecat]

Seriously?

I am thinking about doing it next year. We had one here yesterday and I thought I might train for next year?

So, seeing as I have not run further than 3 miles, could I do it?

I can run fatster already, if I dont catch you today, I will be able to by the end of next week! It will be good practice for me!

Off to bed, night all

Pavolv - there is the army way of training if time is a limit and you don't want to be out on your feet for too long - the mental challenge can be quiet a demand!!

The thing to do is to train up to half the distance, 7 miles, as soon as you can. And then NEVER run further again. Do the 7 miles slightly faster each time, not breakneck speed at all, just everso slightly faster eahc time you do it ( do shorter runs inbetween obv.). Your strength and stamina will build so that come the day you'll run slower than your training pace but easily last the distance and you'll be a lot more powerful than if you banged out mile-after wearying mile in training.

I did this once for a h/marathon and managed 1hr 50min very comfortably. It's really good if training time away from home and on your feet is a prob.

I used to do cross country running when I were a lass, many moons ago. Managed to come 4th in County championships 2 years in a row, then gave it all up for my art.

Didn't like running and training alone and nobody else did it and we didn't live in a city with coaches etc like Liz McColgan had.... or you may have heard of me instead of her...

I'm planning on doing the same - however I have been running 10kms in training for a while (and have done a 'proper' 10km race) and plan on doing perhaps a 10 mile race (there are a few around) before properly setting my cap at a half marathon.....

There are more experienced runners on this thread than me, but I would suggest if the most you have run is 3 miles that you ought to do some interim races first!

Pan - oh I like that way! Thats a decent technique. Ie, work on one length and reduce the chance of getting bored with the training...a good point!

handlemecarefully - | will most likely do some shorter races, but I am not a runner and dont want to burn myself out before the big day!!! So, not too many!

Today tho, big plans to run, I have damaged some tendons in my shoulder so wont be running for a few days...shame! Seriously tho, its the kind of pain that has made me chuck up a few times so not a good idea today!

It was the hardest thing I have ever done. I was running alongside the pantomine horses. But I did it and I'm proud. I'd say go for it!

Ooh good luck with this - will follow with interest.

I have just done RFL (in a not too shameful 27 mins) and have signed up for 10K in September. I have a plan to then work on an 8 mile race in March and then Great North Run (if I can get a place) Autumn 2009 and then London Marathon 2010.

Although have lost my motivation a bit since RFL so need to get back out there and running.

Good luck !

Wheelybug and Gordon - well done you both!

I am almost atarting to regret it and I have not even started!

But, I am going to do it. I need to challenge myself, and really need to get and stay fit, and this is a great way to do it, and to give something to my community at the same time. By doing this kind of thing, were I will work towards sponsorship for something specific, I will be more likely to succeed as I wont want to let people down.

There are other reasons, like the reason I chose the charity who will benefit, but I could do something else if it was just about raising money, like get my hair shaved or something!

my tips to add to the fab training plan is

1. find someone to run with so you make each other go
2. enter lots of races so you have to turn up
3. buy a good book about running - the liz yelling one is good as she is very motivational and she writes for women

go girl

Here's a good beginners training schedule based on running 3 times a week for 12 weeks before the half marathon:

www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=100

pavlov, i was also thinking of trying to do the half marathon next year. I am doing a 5k in a couple of weeks, then the great yorkshire run in sep 10k, there is also another 10k here in November which i quite fancy, you get a xmas pud when you finish but I would have to enter soon and not sure how I will go on with 10k, I did 6k today which was a big first for me.
You should come and join us on the Couch potato thread.

Pavlov, have read this thread with interest as I've been considering the same thing. Can comfortably run 5k and have started to up my distance for a 10k in September but would love to run a half-marathon within the next year.