Right, who's run a half marathon/ marathon?!

[Wilderbeast]

Those of you who know me will know that I am an extremely impulsive man. Next year I'm commissioning into the TA and am going to have a crack at getting my red beret. As an incentive to keep training I have stupidly entered the Cardiff half marathon!

I've never run any sort of marathon before ever, in fact the furthest I've ever run is 6 miles.....c**k!

Could anyone who has ever done something like this offer some advice? At the moment i run a 1.5 mile circuit everyday for fitness purposes, and have just upped that to about 3.

The race isn't until October so I have plenty of time, but I really don't know what to do except from eat nothing and run really far

HELP!

 

[durulz]

Run!?
I'd have my work cut out walking the bugger.

My advice?
Don't.
Take the long view - if you underachieve then your children will find it easier to do better than you and improve their lot in life. Don't do it, for them.

 

[Stringmaker]

Those of you who know me will know that I am an extremely impulsive man. Next year I'm commissioning into the TA and am going to have a crack at getting my red beret. As an incentive to keep training I have stupidly entered the Cardiff half marathon!

I've never run any sort of marathon before ever, in fact the furthest I've ever run is 6 miles.....c**k!

Could anyone who has ever done something like this offer some advice? At the moment i run a 1.5 mile circuit everyday for fitness purposes, and have just upped that to about 3.

The race isn't until October so I have plenty of time, but I really don't know what to do except from eat nothing and run really far

HELP!

Hello mate,

I've done a lot of half-marathons and did the London Marathon once.

PM me if you want and I'll be glad to have a chat.

One thing I will say; do not cut back on the eating, you will need all the energy you can get. It's what you eat that you need to focus on.

Good luck

 

[marooned]

Yeah I've run a few half marathons. Just gradually up your mileage... I think they say by 10% each week. Run so that you feel comfortable, think positive and enjoy it. At this stage, don't think about time.

And yes, eat more! Do some carbo loading. A nice bowl of pasta the night before a training run. Keep your fluids up.

There are loads of tips on the Runner's World website for beginners and they give structured training plans.

Good luck!

 

[Limaed]

Ive done a few halfs and a full marathon when I was in the Falklands a couple of years ago. I think you can crack the halfs with a good level of general fitness and maybe running three-four times a week. The full marathon is a lot more commiting with some form of PT most days. Most runners make use of a long sunday run, either using milage or time all you need to do is gradually up each. The midweek stuff can be used to build up speed.
A lot depends on whether you want to just get around a course or finish with a fast time, its worth remmembering you can walk a marathon in eight hours so any faster is a bonus!
You need to listen to your body I often felt right on the line of getting an injury, an injury could ruin your training and race. Enjoy!

 

[Mojoracinguk]

Seems to be some good advice on here.
My two pence be.....
Don't over train (keep milage and pace increases modest)
Get to a shop like 'up and running' who can give you a brief check over to see how your current shoes are.
I find it nice to get into the countryside and just drift along on long runs.....no need to time, just get from point A to B.
Also if you get bored of running the same loops or courses try getting some one to drop you off 'x' miles from home then run back (my favourite).
You run every day.....most training plans call for some rest to help your body recover.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Only taken part in a couple of 1/2 marathons but run close to that distance often in training
Got the manchester 10K in four weeks and really want a pb....think i managed to injure a knee last week though
Mojo

 

[TeeDee]

If you eventually want to get your wings you may want to pick up a copy of the following which has a terrible title and cover but has quite intelligent prog's for the prospective candidate for Green Lid, Red Lid and Tan lid.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fighting-Fit-Complete-Training-Handbook/dp/0752805894

 

[Miyagi]

Wilderbeest

All good advice.

But why join the Cherry Berets? They jump out of planes that are still in perfect working order...

All the best mate

Liam

p.s. I've done a few half marathons, I never did a full one as I didn't have much of a sweet tooth. I'm more of a Bombay Mix person really...

 

[Bluefrog]

just run as far as you can get at a slow pace then increase the speed once you reach 13 miles then focus on your speed.

 

[Teepee]

I started running short distances in october, I really struggled to do a mile to start with, but I kept on going with it, running a mile 3 times a week. Afetr a couple of weeks it wasn't too hard, so I did 1.5 miles 3 times a week til xmas. I then found that 3 miles were not too hard, so upped it to 3x3 miles and ran a mile every night I didnt do a 3. I'm now doing 7 miles 3 times a week and a mile on off days and its getting much easier. I think I could just about manage a half marathon now and I wouldn't have dreamed I'd be saying that this time last year as I was a 17 stoner. I'm still a 15 stoner and 'Not built to run' but can now manage the distances ok.
I know I wouldn't make a full marathon though-I'm still a stretcher case.

 

[TeeDee]

I started running short distances in october, I really struggled to do a mile to start with, but I kept on going with it, running a mile 3 times a week. Afetr a couple of weeks it wasn't too hard, so I did 1.5 miles 3 times a week til xmas. I then found that 3 miles were not too hard, so upped it to 3x3 miles and ran a mile every night I didnt do a 3. I'm now doing 7 miles 3 times a week and a mile on off days and its getting much easier. I think I could just about manage a half marathon now and I wouldn't have dreamed I'd be saying that this time last year as I was a 17 stoner. I'm still a 15 stoner and 'Not built to run' but can now manage the distances ok.
I know I wouldn't make a full marathon though-I'm still a stretcher case.

If your a 'big' build may I suggest not beating oneself up over higher mileage , if your joints are now conditioned and legs 'run fit' try some intervals and hill sprints but as ever go gently to start off with to avoid potential injury.
Also once you get a distance sorted and are comfortable with try to do it faster rather than to add additional mileage ( unless a marathon is your goal ).
An interval session once ( or later twice ) a week is fine , keep the moderate distance running aswell.
I'd also suggest twice a week weight training for Max Metabolic burn of calories.

Best of luck and good effort on your Weight loss Teepee

 

[TeeDee]

Good Website for plotting Running/Cycling Routes ( the left hand 'auto follow road' tool is useful )

http://gb.mapometer.com/en/

 

[Teepee]

If your a 'big' build may I suggest not beating oneself up over higher mileage , if your joints are now conditioned and legs 'run fit' try some intervals and hill sprints but as ever go gently to start off with to avoid potential injury.
Also once you get a distance sorted and are comfortable with try to do it faster rather than to add additional mileage ( unless a marathon is your goal ).
An interval session once ( or later twice ) a week is fine , keep the moderate distance running aswell.
I'd also suggest twice a week weight training for Max Metabolic burn of calories.

Best of luck and good effort on your Weight loss Teepee

Thanks for the encouragement and advice Teedee. I'd like to do a half marathon this year some time so I guess the milages I'm doing are reasonable prep. I've been thinking its about time to try some strength and speed training now I've got some base fitness, I'll take your advice on it.

 

[dave53]

of topic i know but where are you in wales wilderbeast? used to run 9 miles a day back when i didnt have mr artheritis i did the cardiff half marathon myself for the bhf just increase your mileage plus some hilstuff for stamina worked for me regards dave and good luck

 

[Wilderbeast]

I'm in Cardiff Dave!