Half marathon - doable or foolhardy?

[Saruma]

I graduated C25K January '13 and gradually built up the mileage so was running 10K relatively comfortably by mid June. Then came the heat of summer, follow hot on its heels by a foot injury (Plantar Fasciitis) in October, both of which have curtailed my mileage since. I am now back running 5K+ 3/4 times per week and the foot, although not yet 100%, is coping fine and continues to improve.

Throughout all this time, I have had my local half marathon (6th April) on my radar - my training for which should be starting this week. I have no expectations of time, but would just aim to get round the course. However, in order to get my distances up I would need to increase my running by aprox one mile per week, which obviously smashes the 10% rule.

Has anyone else embarked on a 12 week training plan from this starting point? is this reckless - am I making a huge mistake? I would value your opinions

[Moosetgoose Graduate]

I did a half marathon last year with hardly any training, the furthest I did in training was 8 miles and that was only once.

Managed it in 2:47 so I would say its doable, just do more training that I did

[ju-ju- Graduate]

I did a HM in October last year. I graduated from C25k in April. And got to 10k by the end of May. I then had a 5k,10k and one longer run a week that I kept extending. I found that ok, and it also depends on your overall fitness and if you do anything else ( I also did swimming). I think you need to make a plan and see how you go... Good luck!!!

[caj62 Graduate]

I did a half marathon in September and did it by increasing by a mile a week as my training plan went to pot during the hot weather. All you can do is try. If increasing by too much causes your foot to hurt or if it doesn't feel right then cut down on the distance. The furthest my friend who ran with me was 10 miles and she managed fine on the day ( I did 12 and a half on my longest run). Trust yourself and your body and good luck.

Chris

[mehitabel Graduate]

I used this training programme, which got me to the distance in 12 weeks and was entirely manageable. bupa.co.uk/running/training...

[Saruma Graduate in reply to mehitabel]

Did you do the 'proper' tempo runs mehitabel - or did you just every run at a steady pace?

[mehitabel Graduate in reply to Saruma]

I just ran the times and distances at my own pace. I now have 4 weeks to the race and I am trying to build a speed run and a strenuous hill run into every week's training to build up some strength and stamina. I can do the distance, but it feels like the outside edge of what I can do. I want to make it well within my capabilities.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Half marathon is a greater distance than I have achieved, but I did get up to 10 miles, five months after I started C25k, just by increasing by comfortable amounts (admittedly more than 10%) on routes that allowed me a get out, should I feel I was pushing it too far. The only problem I found was lower back ache, which I have overcome (seemingly) by doing core strength exercises. Apparently this is a common problem with runners increasing their distance over a relatively short time, so worth bearing in mind. Nutrition, fuel and hydration are also obviously more critical as you increase distance. Good luck. You can do it.

[Jaynew01]

Look at various training plans for half marathons. It my be doable. I ran my first half with a serious hamstring injury, it happened 3 weeks before the race. However, you know your limitations and you're not a novice. The main thing is to listen to your body. If you put it under too much stress you risk further injury that may be long lasting. On the other hand it's good to aim for something. I've just finished reading a book called 'it's just 4 times round the village' by Helen Stothard. She was fated with injury and illness whilst training for a marathon. Your aim isn't necessarily fool hardy but you should approach with caution. That said, I would probably go all out, but then I am fool hardy. Good luck and keep updating the forum

[OldNed Graduate]

I'm toying with the idea of the Sheffield HM too, but "toying with the thought" is about as far as it's got at present! I'm a bit daunted by the relatively short time available to make a big step up. I'm going to try extending my distances and see how I get on but haven't committed to an entry yet.

[Saruma Graduate]

I'm not going to enter yet either Ned, I'll give the training a go for a few weeks and make my final decision by the end of February - it's a risk that all the places will be full, but I doubt it.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I really do need to incorporate some cross training into my routine, the problem is, apart from my running, I'm really quite lazy when it comes to other forms of exercise!

[moger Graduate]

i did 10k first in nov and have been training since have a couple of 6 s then next time c how you feel iwas doing 8s 10 s 11s 12.9 then last wk went for run and dne it 1.51 if you can get to ten your nearly there try a bit of swimimg that helps mines in march good luck with your littlt by little and your get there have a good one