'erm I appear to have Just signed up for a Half Marathon

nottslass_2

Ok,so it appears that in a moment of madness I've signed up to do a half marathon at the end of september.

"Plenty of time" I hear you cry,only my dearly departed dad told me "never run after a bus & never run after a bloke,'cos they'll be another one coming along in twenty minuites" well I sort of took this advise seriously and spent my school years avoiding PE,my teenage years smoking and drinking too much and my adult years juggling kids,dogs and work !!

To be honest I have sort of dabbled in the Couch 2 5k and currently "run" 3 times a week covering 2 miles in about 25 mins - personally i was quite proud of this until a quick google told me that this was,in fact, a mere "brisk walk".

Anyway,not to be defeated I looked at complete beginers half marathon training plans and nearly wet myself when it suggested that a complete beginner started off with running for 30 mins !!! Its taken me 6 blooming months to get to 25 mins..............Could a complete beginner really run for 30mins ?

So tell me, am I completely deluded in my quest for sporting glory,is it really possible that,given the above (and the fact that at 45 I'm no spring chicken), do I really stand any chance of getting to the finish line without the prospect of leaving my children motherless ?

Any motivational thoughts or advise welcome........................

Linda32

Hi, It is do-able, the website which you have signed up with? do they offer a training plan.

I remember when I did the Race for Life, they offered a plan where you build up the amount of time you run rather than walk on a week by week basis.

At the time I worked in an office so never actually moved. Although I did go to the gym 2-3 times a week. I found that you really had to practice running on the ground rather than the treadmill as it is very different.


Best of luck.

There_Goes_Trouble

I just ran my first half marathon last Sunday. It was hard, but worth it.

My advice, find a good running club. One that will advise and support you, and have like minded people training who will inspire you. I have made some good friends and did all my training with one particular lady who runs a similar pace to me.

Good luck. It is very do-able but you may need to push yourself harder than you currently are. A good club will help with this.

Southernman

45 is a great age to do a half marathon. Long distance running is gets easier in the 30s+ because your bones have finally hardened, which is why very few in their 20s do them.

You can build it up. I used to only run 2 miles then i registered for a half marathon a month before and went out too see how far i could go and managed to cover 11 miles! A lot of it is about mentality. If you think it's not possible then you're probably less likely to try! Even try some walking followed by running you may surprise yourself!

Fire_Fox

A 12 minute mile is not a brisk walk it's a slow jog, most people don't walk faster than 20 minutes per mile and 15 minutes per mile is pretty good going for walking. :T

First thing if you don't already have them is two pairs of running shoes that have been fitted to you in a proper sports/running shop, then rotate between the two so they get a chance to recover. Second is a couple of decent high impact sports bras, third are wicking trainer socks.

Start with a 0-10K programme then move up to a half marathon plan that includes plenty of run-walks and some cross training, it's a legitimate technique right up to marathon level (see expert Jeff Galloway).

Add in some form of deep core stability work, not ab curls: Pilates classes/ DVDs (Modern Pilates are the best), Flexi-bar DVDs, Swiss ball including plenty of balance work or BoSu. You can find with longer distance that it's the smaller stabilising muscles in the upper body and deep core that tire quickly, they have you losing posture which spoils your running style and leaves you at risk of injury.

Another option if you have a smartphone are the Zombies Run! apps. And Jeff Galloway podcasts which I've never actually listened to so they might be terrible!

nottslass_2

Thanks everyone,

Glad to know that What I'm currently is doing is officially faster than a brisk walk :T

Some great advise from fire fox - I've got one decent pair of running shoes,but will invest in another, and will definitely take a look at the podcasts.

Think I must be mad but I'm certainly up for the challenge - I just hope I survive !
So here is the start of an unfit,40 something mother of three becomeing a marathon runner (well half marathon,but who's counting)