just signed up for Connemara half marathon

tantipie

ok,,i have never run in my life,,but hubby did his 3rd marathon last week and i have been inspired(at last),,so i 've signed up to do the half marathon in Connemara,,ok,,so where do i start,,any suggestions of plans i could follow will be great,,:)

Madhatter008

Hi there, I am the exact same, did a small bit of training this year but nothing major so any advice would be well appreciated! And please dont freak me out by telling me I have to run for 10 hrs a day:)

Munster_Gal

I've started off by signing up for the 10 Great Ireland Run in April in the the Phoenix Park. the half marathon in Connemara is tough. My OH did that as his first run last year. He did the full marathon this year and has run Dublin twice.

rainbow kirby

Probably the best way to get started is the Couch to 5k program - it's designed to get you from walking to being able to run 5k in about 9 weeks. I started running about 4 months ago with this, completed a 5k in early October in just outside 30 minutes and found the program to be great for gently getting you started. Also, make sure you get properly fitted for shoes at a specialist running shop, you'll be thankful you did.

Munster_Gal

That program was mentioned in a thread that i started also. seems to be quite popular. Got my OH to do up a program for me. Started yesterday with a 30 min power walk. going out for more of the same tomorrow but going to incorporate a bit of running as well although i'll only be able to manage about 2or 3 mins of running.

rainbow kirby

2 or 3 minutes is a start! When I started, I felt like I was going to choke after about 4 minutes of running. Just keep at it

aburke

Where are you based?
It might be an idea to pick a shorter race as a intermediate objective.
[I know a good 10km :-) ]
As others have said, build it up slowly.
You'll get there.

Alan

--amadeus--

There are loads of things I would advise anyone starting out but I have to start work in a few mins so I'll keep it short(ish!)

First I would say never, ever compare yourself to other runners. On here there are some exceptional athletes who perform miracles. I'm middling experienced at this stage but I feel like a slow lazy slob beside them - but it doesn't matter because we all do the same distances and we all compete against the clock, not each other. Just because your OH does 18 or 20 mile training runs doesn't mean you should, just because someone on here does killer intervals doesn't mean that you have to follow them. Pick a plan you feel happy with and stick to it. No matter who you are there is always someone faster or slower so why compare?

Second - take it easy! It's better to run really slowly for 10 minutes than to sprint like a maniac for 2! You are training for endurance so pace is really not relevant - in fact I would encourage you to not even time yourself at first. Run at a pace where you can easilt talk at the same time and don't be afraid to take walk breaks. Do try and maintain a "running motion" as much as possible though, even if you would be faster walking, it's all about using muscles in a different way. Did you know that Kenyan Olympic marathon runners do recovery runs at 10 - 12 minute pace? That's 60 - 70 minute 10k speed and if it's ok for them...!

Third - sort your kit! A good pair of trainers is a must, get fitted in a good sports shop (NOT JJB or Lifestyle!) and you'll save a fortune on physio

Forth - enter shrter races in teh build up - there is teh Jingle Bells 5k or the Athenry 10k, both in Dec and both welcome run/walkers.

Fith - stay around here, really friendly bunch and bundles of really good advice!

Good luck!!

Munster_Gal

Thanks for that Amadeus

tantipie

thanks for the advice people,,:D,,i'm near limerick so i think there is one in jan,,the milford one,,cant find anythin on it at the mo tho,,,i'm going to walk them,,but will trow in a bit of runnin in training,,,thanks again

Madhatter008

Thanks folks, good words of wisdom... where is this Jingle Bell 5K on? And when you say a good sports shop .... any recommendations ... also any website where you can find out about all these other runs?

tantipie

www.runireland.com and click on the events,,saw the 5k jingle one there

--amadeus--

Madhatter008 wrote: »

Thanks folks, good words of wisdom... where is this Jingle Bell 5K on? And when you say a good sports shop .... any recommendations ... also any website where you can find out about all these other runs?

Where in teh country are you?

If near Dublin then Amphibian King in Bray or Runways on Parnell Street. If near Limerick then Siobhan in Limerick Sports store is excellent.

Madhatter008

Excellent , near enough to Dublin so will try them, Cork too for the next few weekends so any suggestions for there would be cool. Jingle Bell is totally out though wedding and christmas party that weekend so doubt the energy levels will be at their best!

ClashCityRocker

Madhatter008 wrote: »

Cork too for the next few weekends so any suggestions for there would be cool.

Give these fellas a try

http://www.johnbuckleysports.com/

Orobhsa

Madhatter008 wrote: »

Excellent , near enough to Dublin so will try them, Cork too for the next few weekends so any suggestions for there would be cool. Jingle Bell is totally out though wedding and christmas party that weekend so doubt the energy levels will be at their best!

Cork BHAA have a 4 mile on Sun. 23rd November

http://corkbhaa.com/pages/calender.htm

Try the following blog as well

http://www.corkrunning.blogspot.com/

mark_jmc

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Where in teh country are you?

If near Dublin then Amphibian King in Bray or Runways on Parnell Street. If near Limerick then Siobhan in Limerick Sports store is excellent.

I second this- My mate and I always get our stuff from Siobhan- she's great- spends time with you to make sure you get the right runners