Pain

[Chamar1976]

Hi I'm on week two and thought it would be a good idea to enter and pay for the Cardiff half marathon at the moment I can't run more than 1k constantly I'm 41 and 5 St overweight I've lost a stone so far how can I make this a little less painful

[Decker]

Well firstly that is seriously ambitious! I would aim to first train towards a 5k race then once comfortable with 5 to then train for 10k (each of those stages could take around 3-4 months) before you even consider a half marathon.

Its usually normal to feel some aches and pains when you begin, as you are using muscles you've not used as much before. Stretching after runs should help some. Lastly its important to also take your rest days between run days in order to avoid injury. This is time the muscles need to repair. Push yourself too hard and an injury can sideline you for months. Please be careful and take it slow.

[Anniemurph Graduate]

Well done for starting C25K. If it's uncomfortable, are you running in the right shoes? Are you going really slowly? Are you taking your rest days?

When is the race? Once you have graduated you need a serious amount of time for consolidation and miles on the legs so that you don't injure yourself. Yes, you can run a half fairly soon, but I'd worry that you might cause a bit of damage. It's always great to have a goal, but as Decker suggests, why not set yourself interim goals first? Many of us on here will preach 'slow and steady' and that's not only about pace when you're running, but also about your whole running journey. It's because we have either suffered or seen too many injuries from doing too much too fast.

[Hidden]

Is Cardiff HM October 2018? If it is it should be achievable but I agree with Decker , focus on the next 9 weeks or so. Get yourself running for 30 minutes and then take it from there. This programme is marvelous and it can work for you. Keep dropping in here with updates on your progress and to ask advice as needed. Enjoy the journey and the great change that is about to take over your life

Run really slowly and make sure you take rest days. Yes, your body will complain a bit; you have given it a shock!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

As the others say...you really need to build up slowly. As Anniemurph says, slow and steady is not just about the running legs!

You are doing brilliantly to be doing this, but you must take care of yourself too

[pelicanmike]

All the advice already given is good and it is certainly vital to build up slowly. As encouragement though I started C25K in July 2015, graduated in September and went on to run the Milton Keynes HM in March 2016. I was 4 stone overweight when i started.

It can be done but build up slowly, remember rest days are a vital part of your fitness regime and accept it is going to take a lot of determination to get there (and yes it is going to be uncomfortable at times).

Best of luck

[Razouski]

Wow, you are ambitious. But I guess you have a year to meet your goal. I would agree with all the advice given above though, and remember you need to take things slow and steady. I started the programme last July, but had to restart again in October following surgery and recovery. I didn't have a weight problem particularly and had a reasonable level of base fitness. I graduated in December and it then took me quite some time to build up to 10k. Partly due to doing too much and ending up on the injury couch with problematic achilles tendons for some weeks. I did my first official 10k race last month but only after a lot of consolidation at this distance. I am now going to get in some more practice at this distance before possibly increasing my distance.

Mind you, you are a youngster compared to my 53 years, so you have probably got a head start on me.

Good luck, but take it carefully.

[Homegroundrunner Graduate]

Hi Chamar1976, I would echo all the advice here but take heart it is possible. My story is similar to pelicanmike. I completed C25K by entering my first Parkrun on 1st Oct, I then used Bridge to 10k and did a 10k mudrun on 1st Oct, I completed Cheltenham half marathon last weekend, a year to the day of my first Parkrun. I also lost 3.5 stone in the process. It’s all possible just break it down into little milestones, weight and distance otherwise it’ll seem too daunting. Keep running and eating sensibly and the weight will go down as the miles go up 😁👍

[mrrun Graduate]

Erm... I suppose everything is doable but l think that's a steep target. I have two friends who ran London marathon and one who did 21k yesterday and all three run 10k in a way that l at the moment am soo behind from in terms of speed and stamina. And I've given it a real good shot in terms of simply reaching 10k target and maintaining it. It's taken me a year (5k program plus Bridge to 10k). I'm 53 but very lean.

Good luck & all the best in achieving your goal!

[Chamar1976]

Thanks for all your help and encouragement

[Decker in reply to Chamar1976]

No worries Chamar, you will get there. You've already taken the most important step in getting started!