Too late to train for a half marathon in May?

Limerick_Lass

Im a complete novice here, I have never ran in my life, I would be of average fitness I think for a 30 year old. But I would love to run a half marathon at the beginning of May... Is this an unrealistic challenge?
I dont have time for hours of training every day as I work long shifts but if I thought it was possible to complete this challenge I would put alot of effort into it.

Any tips or advice please

corkcomp

Limerick_Lass wrote: »

Im a complete novice here, I have never ran in my life, I would be of average fitness I think for a 30 year old. But I would love to run a half marathon at the beginning of May... Is this an unrealistic challenge?
I dont have time for hours of training every day as I work long shifts but if I thought it was possible to complete this challenge I would put alot of effort into it.

Any tips or advice please

are you a member of a gym? do you currently do any other type of cardio / aerobic exercise? IMO expecting to run a half marathon is unrealistic alright... it may be realistic to complete it if you are not worried about time and prepared to walk some of the distance? and expect to ache all over for a while afterwards ..

The Davestator

Agree with corkcomp. Why not aim for a 10k, lots of them coming up all over Ireland and then pick a half mara after that, maybe even a full mara....!

Limerick_Lass

Ok thanks guys... was hoping there might be a bit of hope but maybe i should just train for a 10k.
And no Im not a member of a gym... just do alot of walking :rolleyes:

stargirl01

I done a half marathon last year, in not so great a time, 2:51; with virtually no training, other than the fact I walked about 3-4 miles everyday (round trip to work), and ran about 7 times other than the 10 mile the month before.
It is possible though I would definitely recommend training. I was very run down, although not too stiff, for the week afterward.

Khannie

Could you replace the walking that you do with running? Even working your way up to doing 4 x 5K's a week would only take 2 - 3 hours or so out of your week.

Limerick_Lass

Well Id prefer walking to running but ya Id definately replace it ... was just wondering would it be too late to start training now. Or would I fall in a heap half way through the half marathon in May

menoscemo

It's not unrealistic IMO if you have a decent level of fitness. Here is a good Half martahon training plan for beginners.
It requires you to run 4 times a week and cross train one. It is normally a 12 week programme, but you could jump in at week 4 given there are 8 weeks to go. This would require you to run 5 miles as your long run this weekend. Could you manage that? (run/walk would be fine too). If so go for it. It will build you up to running 10 miles by the week before the race and the adrenaline should carry you the rest on the day.
By the way you might be best posting this on the Athletic/Running/ Triatholon forum for more apt advice.

cyberfitnessgur

Youll need to train VERY hard EVERYDAY up until the day of the marathon.

It all depends on your natural ability.

mushykeogh

cyberfitnessgur wrote: »

Youll need to train VERY hard EVERYDAY up until the day of the marathon.

This is probably a good way to guarantee an injury, just try to build up slowly to 4 to 5 runs a week. Its probably possible but id say it would be an unpleasant event! Aim for the 10k and take it from there.

menoscemo

cyberfitnessgur wrote: »

Youll need to train VERY hard EVERYDAY up until the day of the marathon.

It all depends on your natural ability.

That's rubbish advice. For beginners 4 times a week is more than enough and always take a rest day after your long run.

RubyK

Is it the Limerick half you are looking to do on 2nd May?

Personally, I think I would aim for the 10K on that day instead, and enjoy your first race. To go from no road running, to 13.1 miles, in 8 weeks, will be very tough going.

There will be plenty of longer races to do during the year, so don't rush it, enjoy the journey

Oryx

You could do it, but it would hurt, and youd probably end up walking at least some of it, realistically. Whatever you do, do not run everyday between now and then. Have a set plan of varied runs during each week, but take rest days or youll end up sore and drained.

I also say try a 10k, it will show you what any kind of distance actually feels like, and whether you like running, which you have to if youre going to commit to longer distances. No point doing this half and never running again because you have a bad experience. Better to build up so you learn to love it.

BrokenMan

Realistically coming from a base of no running to 31.1 miles in 8 weeks is not advisable. It may be that you would finish but unfortunately its more likely that you would injure yourself along the way.

It is recommended that before you attempt trainign for a half you can run 3-4 miles 3 times a week at least to make sure your body is ready for the stress you will put it under. It's not the 13.1 miles on race day that will cause the problems its the miles you will have to put in training.

Best to run the 10K as thats a very achievable and realistic target, there will be plenty more half's during the year and you will enjoy them a lot more if you are properly prepared.

Just to add

cyberfitnessgur wrote: »

Youll need to train VERY hard EVERYDAY up until the day of the marathon.

It all depends on your natural ability.

This is probably the most reckless advice I have seen in a log time. It's a guatanteed trip to the physio.

Powerplate

BrokenMan wrote: »

This is probably the most reckless advice I have seen in a log time. It's a guatanteed trip to the physio.

Maybe he is a physio

bubblyone

Honestly? DON'T DO IT! You could conceivably get around the course, yes. But you won't do it fast and you will almost certainly get injured. Even if your biomechanics are perfect, it's a huge stress on the body-especially if you don't have much time for training. I went from walking to work etc to a half in 4 months...and ended up with a pelvic stress fracture. It was not fun! A 10K would be a brilliant thing to do and more than enough of an achievement. There will be lots of half marathons in the future. Find one somewhere nice and make a break out of it!

Limerick_Lass

THANKS TO ALL THE ADVICE GUYS AND GALS

Well apart from the person who seemed to have been out to kill me off... not looking at anyone in particular :P

Ive decided to go for the 10k Great Limerick run in May instead of the half.... Ill train well for it, and see if running rocks my boat . Ill let ye all know how it all goes

corkcomp

Limerick_Lass wrote: »

THANKS TO ALL THE ADVICE GUYS AND GALS

Well apart from the person who seemed to have been out to kill me off... not looking at anyone in particular :P

Ive decided to go for the 10k Great Limerick run in May instead of the half.... Ill train well for it, and see if running rocks my boat . Ill let ye all know how it all goes

make sure to report back... and yes if you had followed that advice you would have been fairly f****d and probably give up after a week r two ..

Patdusty2010

I would run the half marathon if I where you! We are only at the start of March, so you have plenty of weeks to prepare for it. You probably just want to complete it and aren't aiming for a time or anything so why not do it? If you have a strong mind and don't give up too easily then you will be fine. Get a training partner if you can and/or someone to run the half marathon with...

Limerick_Lass

Patdusty2010 wrote: »

I would run the half marathon if I where you! We are only at the start of March, so you have plenty of weeks to prepare for it. You probably just want to complete it and aren't aiming for a time or anything so why not do it? If you have a strong mind and don't give up too easily then you will be fine. Get a training partner if you can and/or someone to run the half marathon with...

Well I was thinking that but from the feedback I was getting here, it seems I wouldnt be fit enough so i would either end up walking half of it or injuring myself by pushing myself too hard! I dont want to be the person struggling to finish it before it gets dark So i guess why not train for something more realistic. I dont have time in my week to be out running hours every day unfortunately

Patdusty2010

Limerick_Lass wrote: »

Well I was thinking that but from the feedback I was getting here, it seems I wouldnt be fit enough so i would either end up walking half of it or injuring myself by pushing myself too hard! I dont want to be the person struggling to finish it before it gets dark So i guess why not train for something more realistic. I dont have time in my week to be out running hours every day unfortunately

Hi,

Well if you don't have a lot of time to train then the 10km probably would be a better run to do. 10km is still a fair distance, especially running. 13.1 miles is nearly 22km's which is an awful lot when you think about it...

Limerick_Lass

I know... I must be crazy to think I could have done the half in less than 8 weeks :rolleyes:

Looking forward to the challenge of the 10k now... must find a good training plan and get my ass in gear

bubblyone

Limerick_Lass wrote: »

I know... I must be crazy to think I could have done the half in less than 8 weeks :rolleyes:

Looking forward to the challenge of the 10k now... must find a good training plan and get my ass in gear

Here's a Hal Higdon one. I liked his half marathon plan...and wish I'd followed it properly instead of sneaking in extra runs! http://www.halhigdon.com/10ktraining/10knovice.htm

10K is a great distance. You'll do brilliantly!

RubyK

Best of luck with the 10K training - I personally this this is a wiser option. It could be very easy to burn yourself out/get injured doing too much too son.

Get the experience of a 10K race, and then you can then move up to 10 miles, and do a half later in the year.

You should look at the A/R/T part of boards, lots of advice to be had, and maybe you could start a training log - great to keep you motivated and keep track of your progress.

billyhead

If I were you i would go for it. I ran a full marathon in Rome in 3hrs and 1 minute on about 10 weeks training running about 40 miles a week.

drdeadlift

ITS NEVER TOO LATE