Hi

[Teesha]

Hi I’m Teesha.

And currently trying to Psych myself up to go out for a run. I am doing a half a marathon in September and I need to start training. Would love some inspiration. Thank you

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Adapting your body to be capable of safely doing a half marathon is best done as a slow and steady progression. The sooner you get started the less likely you are to get injured in the process as you won't be tempted to do too much too soon. Please don't leave it too late.

Take care and enjoy your journey.

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Hello and welcome. Just pop your shoes on and get out there, you can do it!

If you have run before you will know a HM needs focus. If you havnt run before.... a HM needs focus 😀. Today is a good day to get focused.

Good luck with your aim🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻🏃🏻‍♀️

[Teesha in reply to Millsie-J]

Thanks so much. I did it. And it was great. I need focus and structure. I so want to do this. I know I can.

Teesha

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to Teesha]

You definitely can! Keep posting. Well done on getting out there.... that was a huge step in the right direction 👍🏼

[DiscoRunner Graduate]

I started this a few months before my 53rd birthday. Hadn’t run since school, I was very unfit and carrying extra weight. Needed to do something so tried this. All I can say it’s a minor miracle! You will simply be staggered by what you can achieve. Just trust the programme and don’t be worried about running slowly. Although this is called c25k it’s really about teaching you to run for 30 minutes. You can work on your pace once you’ve mastered this.

This is a very kind and supportive forum so any questions, just ask, and we’ll be here to cheer on your successes. The first step is the hardest - just go for it!

[Teesha in reply to DiscoRunner]

Oh really. So it only 30 mins! Think I can do about 10 mins! Nice to have a clear picture of what I’m trying to achieve. I play netball so kind of fit. But thinking running is a different kind of fit. But you post really help me to understand what I’m trying to achieve. Sounds silly. Think I built it up in my head! To the point I didn’t want to start.

Thanks for reaching out. You have done amazing. Well done.

Teesha x

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to Teesha]

You’re going to be fine! But do stick to the plan, including the rest days, that’s how you’ll build the muscle for running. But you’re right, it is a different type of fit and especially as you want to run a HM. So learning to run will be crucial. But with your fitness you’ll be great. But sticking to the plan will avoid injury - why try and be fit & do amazing things but then get injured cos you do too much too fast and then not able to do anything! You’ll be amazing! Would love to read your training journey, if you want to keep posting here. xx

[SlowLoris]

Hardest part is getting out the door. After that trust the program. It does work.

[Teesha in reply to SlowLoris]

Your so right. As soon as I got outside. I was fine. Even loved it! Haha.

[Rainbow2019 Graduate]

I totally agree. I had to push myself so hard to get out of the door the 1st time but only a week in and I can’t wait for the next run. The programme (so far) is easy enough to follow whilst challenging you just the right amount. The forum is really supportive and encouraging. Everyone is behind you 100% cheering you on to graduation! My advice - bite the bullet and go for it. Half an hour from leaving you’ll be amazed at what you’ve achieved and spured on by your own awesomeness!!

Good luck

[Teesha in reply to Rainbow2019]

I did it and it was really good. I forgot how much I enjoyed just being outside.

[MarkyD Graduate]

So you are committed to a HM in September. It must seem like a massive challenge to go from "I need to go out for W1r1" to running 21 km (and probably for two and a half hours or more). I suspect that huge challenge is putting you off the starting.

If you really want to run the HM in September, you are going to need 2 things - (1) a great deal of luck; (2) a detailed plan.

The luck is because you need to be able to train for the HM without getting injured.

The plan is easy... you need to divide up the remaining time before the HM into 5 sections.

(A) C25K - 9 weeks (start today, Graduate 15 May)

(B) 5km consolidation - 3 weeks + 1 rest week

(C) JuJu's Magic 10km plan - 7 weeks (Start 12 June, graduate 31 July)

(D) 10km consolidation - 3 weeks + 1 rest week

(E) Push distance to 18km - 6 weeks + 1 rest week + taper week. (Start 21 August, finish mid October )

As you can see, you run out of time to be fully prepared for the HM (depends exactly when it is in September). But you HAVE to start today.

You have 3 choices:

(1) Start today and complete the HM without adequate preparation and need to "wing" the full distance - the day of the race will be the first ever time you run 21km.

(2) Start later, get injured and not take part in the HM

(3) Admit today that you are not going to run the HM.

Sorry to be brutal, but summons up that same enthusiasm that made you sign up for the HM, and get outside today.

[Teesha in reply to MarkyD]

MarkyD that message is exactly what I needed to see. Thanks you soooo much. I’m all about structure. Been planning what I needed to do and this is exactly it.

I went for a run and it was fantastic. Loved it. So I want to do this.

Thanks so much for working that all out for me. Really really appreciate it.

Teesha x

[MarkyD Graduate in reply to Teesha]

Well done! Take a rest day and then work out when/how/where to run on Friday.