I am only just at the end of week 2 and I think I have the running bug! I go out in all weather and feel such a buzz when I get back. I am really concentrating on my diet (i have weight to lose) and health too.
Anyway a friend of mine has decided to do a half marathon in October. She used to run and has done the London Marathon twice in the past. She is now starting again from scratch like me. Soooooo I am really tempted to join her in October. Am I thinking too far ahead or is this do-able?
Hmm, I'd say it's certainly possible to do a half marathon in October but you'd probably have to push yourself quite a bit between now and then! I suppose the main risk is that you could push yourself too hard and cause an injury.
I think it's ace that you're so enthusiastic though! 
If you wanted to seriously look into half marathon training, there's some info on the Cool Running website: coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_... They have a three month training programme for half marathons, but it assumes that you're already running between 15 and 25 miles per week before you start (and they also say you should have been running for 6 months already).
Maybe you could wait a month or so, and see how you feel about things when you're a bit further through Couch to 5k? It might also be a good idea to try out a 5k or 10k race before you jump straight into a half marathon
Its 24 weeks until the beginning of October, I think if you focused you can do it! Having your friend with you will be great support.
Having the running bug will have you looking for new goals and things to achieve, why not have a goal of completing C25K and then onto B210K or a half marathon training schedule.
I'm sure others will give you much better advice.
Though "they" say believing is everything
I agree, there is time for you to do this, but it will be hard work! I have a 12 week couch 2 10k programme that I like using - this time I'm doing the 9 weeks of this one, then will drop in on week 7 or 8 of my other programme to get to 10k - from there you're looking to double that distance. So... if you can get to 10k in say 15 weeks, then that still leaves you another 9 weeks to make the jump up. There are plenty of 12-15 week programmes to go straight to half marathon so it depends how you want to train. What I would say though is that if you're serious about it then I'd probably move NOW to to C210K programme rather than staying on 5k, on in so far that the aim of this is to get you running 30 mins in 9 weeks, as I said, the 10k ones aim to get you running 10k (or an hour - 1.15) in 12 weeks - so they are more intense but will give you more time to reach your goal. Its very much a personal thing and what you feel you can do.
oohh.. i admire your enthusiasm!! everything you wish for is achievable, but you need to think about it logically i think.. for safety sake and to avoid injury i think you should complete the c25k before attempting the 10k programme.. are you new to running? nothing is impossibe, but take it 1 step at a time.. good luck!
I have signed up for a half marathon at the end of September, but I started C25K in early January (tho with a 4 week break in the middle due to illness) so I'm about 3 months 'ahead' of you but reckon I'll only just be ready in time. I have been doing Amanda's C210K programme for the last couple of weeks: it's really good and I dropped into week 7 OK after doing C25K, but at the speed I go I still haven't got beyond the 5k distance in a 40-minute workout (this will happen next week as the times increase - however I am now getting faster). I was new to running too, and agree with those above that a HM will be do-able but hard work. The received wisdom is also to do a shorter race like a 5k or 10k before tackling the longer ones, as things do feel different on race day. If you're enthusiastic, I wouldn't want to be a wet blanket - I would just hate you to lose the joy of running due to a punishing schedule. I had to shortcut the last bits of C25K to be ready for the Sport Relief 3 miles, and really didn't enjoy the race at all.
But good luck whatever you decide - and keep running! There is always another race, another distance to try - and don't forget parkrun if you want to try a 5k any Saturday! parkrun.org.uk
Thanks for all your comments. I have decided that a half marathon might be too soon and as someone has pointed out I don't want to lose the enjoyment of running. I think I may start with a park run as I have one on my doorstep. Thanks everyone and keep running!! :-))
When I started running I thought of doing a half marathon as my first race but decided to do a 1couple of 10k races instead - and I'm very pleased I did it that way. As you say, it's important to retain the joy of running which is truly wonderful in my view! Good luck!.
Races You're Doing, Races You Want to Do....
10k - is it just too far to run regularly?
Checkin' in
Am i doing too many miles?
Thinking of beginning the c25k?
