Train for a half marathon in 5 months? [Archive]

Adam

10-22-2009, 02:42 AM

So recently, I started running and it gets kinda addictive if I stick to it but I keep letting it slide feel guilty and start again.

I was thinking of doing a half marathon and the next one in this city is in about 5 months. I'm not amazingly fit or anything, I've never ran before in my life as I've never seen the point. But I'm strong in other sports such as swimming, martial arts and boxing. I'm about 100kg and officially obese but no1 believes I weigh that much and I don't know my BMI. I think I am fairly strong and have decent stamina but I'm not built like a runner at all

So I'm asking advice of runners out there;
Do you think this is possible without a hardcore training plan?
Any ideas on what sort of plan I should make - I've just been running when I feel like it currently
Any other advice.

The run is a little sooner than what would be best, I was hoping they'd have a late summer run or something. Well anyway, any advice would be much appreciated.

jabumbo

10-22-2009, 08:20 AM

5 months is plenty of time if you stick to your plan reasonably well

i would check out the smartcoach (http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/smartcoach/1,7148,s6-238-277-278-0-0-0-0-0,00.html) and have that formulate out some sort of plan. i never followed my plan exactly, but you should be able to pinpoint certain landmarks. i would say that if you can achieve the "long run" goal distance without stopping during the week that the schedule lists it, you should be fine in the end.

and realizing this coach thing only goes to 16 weeks, generate one to see how it looks, and then just try and build yourself up to where it starts. usually they have you running 2-3 miles minimum. so if you can't get there now, start working on that.

Adam

10-22-2009, 11:19 AM

Thanks for that (y) - mid-december would be about 16 weeks away. I think I'll get up to a decent running pace and do a couple of timings before then and then see what my options are and how hard I have to train from then until race day (although I ain't racing just can't think of a better word) and evaluate how committed I might be to such a program

Randetica

10-22-2009, 11:32 AM

i think thats possible, even i can run 2 hours without a break and i am everything but a sporty person

3 weeks ago i started my daily running again, a marathon would be a nice goal but my country is too boring to bring up such an event

Helvete

10-22-2009, 12:04 PM

5 months is plenty of time, I mean shit loads. Sure, it's easy for me to say as I enjoy running up and down mountains (no really, I do), but Army basic training is only 3 months and that turns porkers into slightly less porkier running porkers.

Adam

10-22-2009, 12:13 PM

Its not like I'm gonna be training as hard as the army though.

I need to decide when to get my application in by - I think mid-december like I said is a good time to re-access.

I'm not unfit - just not running fit. I could swim further than I can run right now probably as I'm a strong swimmer, different use of muscles I suppose. I'll be so chuffed if I manage to do this but I have a habit of quitting everything I start

rirv

10-22-2009, 02:00 PM

I was training for a half marathon over the summer, but never got round to running one because other things got in the way.

I'm anything but a runner, I weigh between 15 1/2 and 16 stone. I followed a rough weekly program of:

one easy run (6-8 miles)
one hard run (3-5 miles)
intervals or fartlek run
long run (10+ miles)

I got my 10km time down from about 55 minutes to 44 minutes and ran a practice half marathon one day in 1 hour 46. My target was to go under 1 hr 40 for the race, but as I said my running has dropped off since then.

One thing I looked at that really helped my running was technique. Look up the POSE method. Basically it involves avoiding striding out infront of you, but letting your leading foot drop in line with your body as you run. Find some videos of it, it made my running so much easier and I was then less sore the next day after a long run.

monkey

10-22-2009, 03:26 PM

i had a great 12 week plan that i abandoned after week 8 due to some crazy circumstances and my laziness. 5 months is entirely doable. if you want, i'll go look for it and send it to you.

Nuzzolese

10-22-2009, 03:32 PM

Here is a link to a page where you can access a novice training calendar for under 10 months of preparation for a full marathon. Since you're only running half a marathon, you'll probably need only half the time to prepare. Then the runners had 3 full days of rest before the marathon.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/marathon/calendar.html

Advice here
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/marathon/

jabumbo

10-22-2009, 04:51 PM

half the distance does not mean half the training time!

i want to run a half marathon here in town again in early may, and i probably should at least start doing something again to shake the rust off the old legs

Adam

10-22-2009, 04:54 PM

Thanks for the links guys.

I haven't let any1 I know personally know yet - I'm scared I won't follow through and it'll go down as another one of Adam's Good Intentions, but typical behaviour took over.

Sheffield is kinda cool for running as everything is on a hill so you get to do all sorts of training. I some how prefer running up hill to down as it seems a little easier on technique although the fight with gravity means working harder for the distance.

I like the tip on looking at some videos - thanks rirv... I remember checking out youtube for swimming techniques in the past and I noticed the speed and ease difference straight away when executed.

Nuzzolese

10-22-2009, 04:57 PM

I know what you mean about not telling anyone. I had this goal to secretly get really good at foosball. I kept at it for a while but then I just gave up. No one ever knew I tried something and failed. I was no more of a loser than they already thought I was.

Helvete

10-22-2009, 04:59 PM

Run up and down mountains, trust me, it works!

Adam

10-22-2009, 05:02 PM

No mountains near me, lots of hills though so I could just do them twice.

Bob

10-22-2009, 05:05 PM

hills are great. they suck at first but once you get used to them it's great exercise. it works the muscles in your legs more than running on flat ground, so your legs feel pretty cool when you're done

Nuzzolese

10-22-2009, 05:08 PM

Do you marathon runners run on treadmills or is that too easy? What do you think about while you're running, to keep yourself mentally motivated?

I run on a treadmill a few times a week, and I like to pretend that I'm a robot or a terminator running steadily across the tundra, on a mission, an emotionless unstopable force. Or I imagine that I'm in a lab and I'm sort of a cyborg half-human creation, and scientists and military generals are standing around me studying long rolls of paper print-offs from big machines while lights blink on the treadmill and they murmer about how strong they can make me. They want to see how far I can go.

Bob

10-22-2009, 05:11 PM

treadmills are too boring and besides i don't have a gym membership. running outside is better for a lot of reasons but with winter coming i'm not sure what i'm going to do. it's not the cold that bothers me so much as the ice and snow. i don't want to slip and kill myself!

sometimes i think i'm a robot too! that's so weird. other times i think about rocky. probably because i have this song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWR0k_R6XDE) on my ipod. it's great for when you're reaching a hard part and you're getting tired and you need something to motivate you to keep going. sometimes it comes up too early in the playlist though, when i'm not tired. then i have to restart the playlist because if i skip it, it won't play at all.

also vvv lol

Freebasser

10-22-2009, 05:11 PM

Isn't it cheating if you take the train?

Just run, you lazy bastard.

Adam

10-22-2009, 05:17 PM

Any sort of cardio exercise for me is the same re; thinking.

When I swan a lot I counted the lengths in 3's and 2's, which always took me to 5 and 10 at which points I changed round the style or intensity of the length depending on what I am doing.

When I run, because I can't really count set distances, I use markers as I'm always running the same route at the moment. Like take it easy up to a certain point and then work hard from the next point to next one and then switch is back.

Don't like listening to music when I run either. I suppose if I chose certain songs with a the same timing it would be better.

Oh yeah - I also think about my breathing and how I am breathing (swim and run). When I did martial arts that is one of the things you concentrate on a lot. And actually when I went to the buddhist centre, breathing was central to a lot of what we did so I'm pretty good on that respect.

I think all that keeps my mind occupied enough while not taking it off the game either.

Nuzzolese

10-22-2009, 05:19 PM

sometimes i think i'm a robot too! that's so weird. other times i think about rocky.

Interesting. I think about being Ivan Drago, because he ran on the treadmill.

Bob

10-22-2009, 05:22 PM

sometimes when i run past a street sign i want to punch it, like a punching bag, but i don't because my hands are too delicate

Nuzzolese

10-22-2009, 05:24 PM

Isn't it cheating if you take the train?

Just run, you lazy bastard.

Cheating what, exactly? Running outside hurts my joints, and my lungs. But thanks for the tough love.

rirv

10-22-2009, 05:30 PM

Adam

10-22-2009, 05:33 PM

When I run or train I kind of use it as a sort of meditation. It sounds a bit douchey but I mean it in a cathartic way. Focussing on really mundane, repetetive movements over and over, counting, only looking ahead to the next step or stroke. After an hour or more of that I'm calm, destressed, satisfied, euphoric.

I was exactly like this with swimming and thus need to transfer it to running. People thought it was crazy I could swim non-stop at a steady pace for 90 minutes. Its just because you can meditate your way through it.

Randetica

10-25-2009, 03:26 AM

Isn't it cheating if you take the train?

Just run, you lazy bastard.

or run in front of the train, now thats a work out or a sure squishy death

jabumbo

10-25-2009, 11:38 AM

When I run or train I kind of use it as a sort of meditation. It sounds a bit douchey but I mean it in a cathartic way. Focussing on really mundane, repetetive movements over and over, counting, only looking ahead to the next step or stroke. After an hour or more of that I'm calm, destressed, satisfied, euphoric.

I am sort of the same way, i think.....

I never run on a treadmill. I never listen to music when I run. I am VERY picky about running partners.

I found that my best runs were always when I was pissed off about something and the run usually let me think it out alone for a bit and realize that it wasn't worth being mad about.

Adam

11-08-2009, 03:48 AM

So my training so far: Other week I bought some good running shoes from a running shop and they are expensive but great - did a few good runs on them and its amazing the difference it makes (I was using my walking trainers before). Very pleased (y)

Last weekend, I bought some pot - I haven't been running since :( I can't resist the wake'n'bake

Bob

11-08-2009, 03:49 AM

monkey

11-08-2009, 05:41 PM

Adam

11-08-2009, 06:59 PM

its not even good shit (n)

i will get back into it tho.

Randetica

11-09-2009, 09:14 AM

im still running every day, hell yeah me!

Adam

12-13-2009, 07:44 AM

I'm not quite running every day so far but I am getting better and feeling more confident.

Today was the date I set myself to decide if to do it or not. I think it must be 16 weeks away or something now. So I've signed up to this. 25th April 2010, Sheffield Half Marathon.

Todays run was pretty awful though yet I'm still in - I've given myself a target of 2 hours to do it in. Current pace I could do that easily but I haven't run that distance yet. I know I could walk it in 3 hours and that is the time limit anyway. So I'm confident enough to do this without going all hardcore but I must admit I am enjoying the training.

Also, as said before, training in the afternoon and with music is a lot better and I've being faster and longer for it - so thanks for the tips on that (y)

p-branez

12-13-2009, 06:18 PM

it will be fun - the people cheering and runner atmosphere help you out more than you would think.

i ran my first marathon a couple months ago - and i'm planning on running them for years to come until my knees fall apart.

Gareth

01-16-2010, 07:47 PM

i registered for a half marathon on feb 21.
can do 10km quite comfortably with some steep inclines included (you can't really run here without encountering hills), but i think i need to get out to 15km or so in the next few weeks.
i figure if i can do 17 or 18km, i can do 21km.
treadmills suck i hate them.

Adam

01-17-2010, 03:42 AM

treadmills suck i hate them.

QFT

I haven't been training on a run since 1st Jan, but today I have penciled one in. Still a little too much snow around though which has been compacted down to ice. Same here with the hills you are either going up or down but I think that makes for a better experience.

Good luck with your last bits of training (y)

I wonder if you're suppose to cut down on the training a week or two before the big day to save up energy or cram in extra training to get better at it?

Randetica

01-17-2010, 04:31 AM

good luck for all who run a marathon or a half marathon (pussies)

being sick for so long totally did throw me out of the loop but on febuary first im back on track again *promise*

Gareth

01-17-2010, 05:13 AM

I wonder if you're suppose to cut down on the training a week or two before the big day to save up energy or cram in extra training to get better at it?

yeh you're supposed to taper off a few weeks out

Gareth

02-08-2010, 06:31 AM

13 days away
lookin forward to it
wondering whether to try those energy gels tho

Adam

02-08-2010, 02:11 PM

Energy Gel? Good luck, are you doing light training only now?

I nearly contemplated my 4th run in 4 days today but instead decided pizza and warmth

paul jones

02-08-2010, 02:42 PM

I can't remember the last time I ran anywhere.

Lyman Zerga

02-08-2010, 08:37 PM

i ran 16 hours and 15 minutes ago

Gareth

02-20-2010, 02:29 PM

off to the start line...

Adam

02-20-2010, 10:43 PM

Good luck (y)

Bob

02-21-2010, 12:40 AM

off to the start line...

this doesn't help you now but if you haven't been using energy gel on your training runs don't use it for the first time during the race. it could have unpredictable effects on your stomach and you don't want that

Gareth

02-21-2010, 12:50 AM

1 hour 41 mins
it was ok i suppose, but i'd like to have gone under 1h40m
i think if i paced it better i could have
i did try gels a few times on short runs.
had one at the start today and one at around 15km
i feel like they have some effect

Bob

02-21-2010, 12:54 AM

1 hour 41 is a pretty stellar time if you ask me. that's a 7.7 minute mile sustained for 13 miles, that's nothing to scoff at. if it were me i'd be happy with anything under 2 hours. well done!

jabumbo

02-21-2010, 01:58 AM

solid, gareth (y)

i just got a friend to commit to running a half marathon with me in november. debating if i want to try and do one in july as well.

Adam

02-21-2010, 04:59 AM

Nice - I am aiming for two hours. Anything under that I'll be stoked. But just finishing and beating the sweeper bus will be good enough for me.

So what are energy gels?

Hmmms, maybe if I had a communication tool at my finger tips where I can look up most of the worlds knowledge in a few short clicks I wouldn't need to ask what energy gels are but ho hum...

jabumbo

02-22-2010, 12:18 AM

the gel pack are what they sound like. the are pure sugar in a goopy form. they come in little packs that you can stash in your shorts.

i used a couple during the full marathon, but none for the half. i mostly did it to make sure my blood sugar didn't plummet. lots of people like them though.

i would recommend trying one during one of your longer training runs to see how you take it. they usually left my mouth a bit dry, so i had to make sure i had some water soon after.

CLICK (http://www.guenergy.com/products/gu-energy-gel)

Gareth

02-22-2010, 01:09 AM

yeh, definitely take them just before you get to a drink station
i wouldnt mind trying a full marathon someday soon

Lyman Zerga

02-22-2010, 03:34 AM

in march im starting to work out 2 hours everyday instead of 1 and even watch what i eat more

my only goal is to fit into my stylish clothes again

Adam

02-22-2010, 03:37 AM

My first thought of energy gels where something you rub on your muscles or something and then it made them work better. Then I found this site called google and found out what they really where - that made more sense.

My longest run has been only 6 miles - seriously struggling going any further and I think I might have a problem come race day if I can't break this plateau. So I haven't taken any water with me as I don't really need it for a relative short distance but maybe that is the problem except I don't want to carry water with me. Maybe I should amend my run past a place I can take on water and that might make me go further, hmmmms.

Bob

02-22-2010, 05:26 AM

Adam

02-22-2010, 11:21 AM

I just don't like the idea of carrying it any distance mainly.

They should have water stations in parks. I'm pretty sure the public toilet there doesn't even have a sink

jabumbo

02-22-2010, 11:29 AM

having water on the go was always the hardest part for me when running distances. i think i managed to get to 10 miles before having to work something out.

usually if i was running a trail, i would try and place a bottle off to the side somewhere i knew i would get back to later on so that i could get that needed drink. lucked out that on my longest training runs (15-20 miles) i had my mom riding her bike around the same trail so i could grab a couple gulps when we would pass each other every few miles.

i tried one of those belt things with little water bottles on em and i just couldn't do it. i can't stand much more than my keys to be draping about when running.

p-branez

02-22-2010, 04:38 PM

yeh, definitely take them just before you get to a drink station
i wouldnt mind trying a full marathon someday soon

you can do it easy - 1:40 was my half time and i finished in 3:40. i followed none of the marathon training guides, just ran when i felt like it for 3 years.

on long runs, i try and run by buildings i know have drinking fountains - libraries especially. i used the gels for the first time during the marathon and i was fine.

i think it's funny to watch people that have those giant fanny packs and water bottles and huge watches and energy gels, especially when you pass them.

Adam

02-22-2010, 05:18 PM

Thats a good idea jabumbo, leaving a bottle somewhere. I carry my phone with me now for the mp3 player + a key and I feel that is more than enough.

Gonna have a serious think of where I can take on water and see if that improves my stamina, then maybe an energy gel.

Maybe I should think about my diet more because I don't get much more protein that what I get from several pints of guinness weekly.

Adam

03-13-2010, 03:37 AM

Arrrggh, 6 weeks to go and I'm getting scared because I am no way fit enough.

Some hard training is needed, why did I sign up for this? I blame you guys for partly encouraging me. If I was told from the outset I'd fail I'd be happily slobbing away my weekend rather than thinking about where to run to this afternoon :mad:

jabumbo

03-13-2010, 04:26 PM

get on track, adam!

i haven't signed up for anything just yet, but i have a confirmed partner to run the philly half in november and have been considering another one in july as well.

i need to get back on the level though. been walking a good deal, but haven't been on a proper run for over a month now. got the weather break i needed though, so i haven't any excuse to avoid it now.

Adam

03-14-2010, 05:08 AM

So yesterday I did a little over 8 miles but very slow - just over 6mph. I was able to do 5 miles at 7.4mph a couple of months ago and I'm sure I could do it again. I am aiming for 6.5mph on race day. Yesterday I didn't take on any fluids either during the race, instead of carrying a bottle I decided to take £2 with me to buy a drink if I needed and amended my run past shops but felt I didn't need it although I think it would of helped if I forced myself a fluid break.

But yesterday, I wasn't about to collapse after it and thought to myself, yeah, I could of gone a little further - which I've read is good gauge for a good work out.

Anyway, my question is - it wasn't non-stop, I walked some of it and intentionally kept it slow just to make sure I did the distance ok. On race day, do some people walk bits of it? Do they look out of place? Would I be cheating? I just want to finish in about 2 hours,

Helvete

03-14-2010, 06:38 AM

I run quite frequently, and I'm good. But I only ever run during PT sessions, which are limited by time and therefore 6-8 miles is the most we ever do, plus it's always interrupted by press-ups, sprints, relays and just waiting for the slow fucks to catch up.

I don't actually have a true idea of how good a long distance runner I am. Only thing is, I'm actually quite lazy and hate the idea of doing any exercise in my own time, I'm just lucky enough to be a really fit lazy person.

Adam

03-14-2010, 06:51 AM

I am insanely lazy. Using BMI I am clinically obese but its a motivation to do something as I've always been fairly fit - just fat and lazy to (y)

jabumbo

03-14-2010, 12:32 PM

a lot of people will walk throughout.

actually, i read a lot about training programs that encourage you to walk at certain points. its not a bad thing really, as long as you can keep yourself going afterwards.

i always hated it, personally since i took so much just to get back to speed after the break. but i had to do it a couple brief times nearing the back end of my marathon.

8 isn't a bad go. how many more weeks do you have?

Bob

03-14-2010, 01:17 PM

i did a 5k today in the cold and rain and i'm slower than i remember - 28:20 and i had to stop and walk for a minute around mile 2. all things considered though it's not so bad, conditions were not ideal: i spent the entire winter not running (last run was december 14 besides a random 3 mile run a few weeks ago), so i lost a lot of fitness, plus i spent the night before drinking heavily and decided that instead of getting a few hours of sleep i'd just stay awake so i was a little worn out to begin with on account of not having slept last night

so yeah, that's where i am now

Adam

04-25-2010, 05:34 PM

02:07:18 is my official time - it was today. I ache but so fucking happy I did it.

Was aiming for 2 hours but considering the heat, I'm pretty damn proud of myself :)

Bob

04-25-2010, 05:36 PM

nice!

Gareth

04-26-2010, 07:00 AM

good job!

NicRN77

04-26-2010, 09:02 AM

awesome job!

Adam

04-26-2010, 11:23 AM

Haha*, thanks guys :D

*I like it goes from nice --> good --> awesome

Photos (http://www.marathon-photos.com/scripts/event_entry.py?event=Sports%2FCPUK%2F2010%2FSheffi eld+Half+Marathon&new_search=1&match=962) - the copyright belongs to the site so I can't hotlink into sure shots really plus it has their logo all over it. None of the photos are my best look :D