Fish-Finger-er Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 Right appears for man pride based reasons, im going to be running a half marathon in september. now last summer i did a fair bit on the xc bike, im not totally averse to exercise, but I dont have a clue where to start. what kind of time I should be aiming for (im thinking sub 2 hours, but im not sure whether to push for sub 1 hour 45). anyone want to fill me in on how i should be training? ive got a decentish pair of running shoes, im thinking of just going out tomorrow night, pounding out as far as i can, then next time try and pound out further/a better time, im aware first couple of runs, ill be done in like 10 minutes, but after that im hoping its rather easy to just push up the distance(it certainly was with mountain biking) Other thing I'm slightly worried about is my weight, im currently around 16-16.5 stone, which i was intending to be on being 14ish stone for summer, but im of a fairly large build, is 14 stone still too much to be carting round 13 miles?? i could go beanpole thing and probably hit 12-12.5, but I dont think I want to be that thin, as I like having some muscle. One of the lads at the gym did the great north run, in sub 2 hours, and is fairly big built, but he dropped from 15 stone to 14 stone for the run, and stopped lifting heavy weights 3 months before, but he has said he wished hed dropped another stone off, and stopped lifting weights like 5 months before(which for me is now). Once ive got technique/pace sorted, can i substitute other forms of cardio to get my fitness up(or even if i was used to pounding out quickish times on the xc bike for 2 hours, is there a chance i dont need to stick in too much effort with regards fitness) just that i find pounding out the miles on foot to be pretty boring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kieran Morrison Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 (edited) Think building up your stamina is best, the treadmills at a gym works to building stamina and actually running probably works better because your actually pushing and using power whether on a treadmill your not. I don't know though, I'm a lazy sod Edited March 28, 2011 by Kieran Morrison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manuel Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 I've done two, and just found the training runs so bloody boring I didnt bother after a couple of goes first time round. The second one I did two years later with zero running training. Do whatever exercise you enjoy - the XC bike is perfect if you like it. I would aim for sub 2 hours, but maybe do 2-3 miles on a treadmill timing a comfortable pace and extrapolate. If you are reasonably fit then just use a watch with a stopwatch/lap thing on it and pace your run with the mile markers minutes per mile based on treadmill pace. EDIT: whatever you do - Don't stop !! the first time you stop you just mentally give in and start stopping regularly, and the harder it gets to get going again !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 Also, being able to ride for hours means nothing - I found that out in December. I started running and quickly found out it's a totally different kettle of fish. I can ride for ages but can only run about a mile before I get tired... Lots of training is the key! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT! Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 Run a Marathon. Then half that'll be a cake walk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD™ Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 The best thing to do is get yourself over to something like www.runnersworld.co.uk and check out their training schedules for half marathons. These absolutely work if you follow them, but that's the hard bit. Have a look at a couple and come back with some questions on how you can tweak it for you. Sub 2 hours is a pretty average time, in the same way 4-5 for a marathon is. You'll soon see what you're capable of after a few weeks training. You know where I am anyway, I'm a self confessed running geek (though I hardly do any now, I think I over-geeked it)... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totaltrials Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 (edited) http://www.runnerswo...edules/107.html Click on one of the links and it'll give you a training routine. So, beginner for you I assume. I've ran a half marathon myself, not in a race, just thought I'd run as far as I could, once I'd done around 10 miles I thought I may as well do 13. That was with hardly any training, it was just a case of going steady, not too fast and keeping your breathing in time, you get into a rhythm and just carry on. Edit: Just noticed above JD said pretty much the same thing about runnersworld. Edited March 29, 2011 by totaltrials Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish-Finger-er Posted March 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 (edited) thanks jd, id already had a look at some of those schedules on runners world. think im going to try and start running properly the start of may, and will try and stick to one of them 12 week programmes as well as i can do. In the mean time im going to use april, as i already was anyway on the front of losing bodyfat(was originally trying to get in shape for summer) but am going to try and do a bit more running in it, just so when it comes time to start training properly, i might not be a complete beginner. as well as hopefully weighing a bit less then, so ive got less to carry round. Whats the deal with lifting weights and running, i realise im going to have to hold back on squats if i want to run well the next day, but is generally lifting weights and trying to push my cardio like this a bad thing, or a very good thing(im looking at in the way in the army, you build strength, endurance, power etc all at the same time through hard exercise, but by the same token, you never see the bodybuilders in the gym on the running machine even when there trying to cut weight) Edited March 29, 2011 by Fish-Finger-er Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 f**k training. Find a fitty on the start line and get chasing that ass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish-Finger-er Posted March 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 f**k training. Find a fitty on the start line and get chasing that ass. you wanna run in front of me sweetcheeks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 From what I recall, the last 'sweet cheeks' you had in front of you were Simps', but I don't have the picture to hand to double check Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucky Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 f**k the gym, just go get some miles in your legs on the roads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishy Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 From what I recall, the last 'sweet cheeks' you had in front of you were Simps', but I don't have the picture to hand to double check That was me, simps was behind. Kev, just give up, you know you wont do it and you'll stay a fatty all your life. Unlike me, who's getting RIPPED for summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish-Finger-er Posted March 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 Kev, just give up, you know you wont do it and you'll stay a fatty all your life. Unlike me, who's getting RIPPED for summer. Joe, the only thing thats going to be ripped on you is that medium T shirt you keep kidding yourself you can fit into, that stitching ain't made to hold back 19 stone of podge. Even my mum said you've let yourself go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 That was me, simps was behind. Kev, just give up, you know you wont do it and you'll stay a fatty all your life. Unlike me, who's getting RIPPED for summer. I'm pretty sure Simps had his dick up your ass and Kev was behind him? Play that game much longer and something will definitely get ripped by the time summer rolls around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si-man Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Shame you dont have a beach near by. I ran for 2 weeks, 5 days a week 2 miles along the beach through work, managed to get it from 22 mins down to just over 15 in the end. Once you hit that soft stuff though, f**k me Im also a chub at 14 stone, would have been better if I was lighter, having tight calf muscles and that weight, kinda hurt a lot for the first few goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boswell Posted April 1, 2011 Report Share Posted April 1, 2011 people who say "I'm getting ripped for summer" most likely will never manage it, its about all changing your lifestyle. I personally eat a lot of calories and protein but burn most of it by pushing myself to the physical limit, clearly this is not good for everyone but it works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danfoss - BANNED Posted April 2, 2011 Report Share Posted April 2, 2011 I did the 10K at Ashton Court last year. Took me an hour and 5 mins. Was all XC running. My leading up to it was only 6 weeks. I ran 3 miles to start with, nothing fast just went and did it. Then tried to push. I found a lane thats 3 miles from my house, 1.5 each way. I think my 1st run was 50mins, now i do it in 20. I then started adding distance, increasing it and pushing to go faster. I then did a few full 10K's, 6 miles. I only ran once a week, now i run 3 times a week. I used an App on my iPhone (Distance, it's free) to tell me my distance and time. My best advice is get going, go slow build up but 3 miles is a good point to start! Strech well after or you'll hurt and stiffen up. Be careful of runners poo, i have to take an imodium before or i need to dump mid run, after run you'll dump like the speed of concord! I'm doing the Bristol half but not running it doing something today different with my arms only! Also one more thing, i use to run with my g/f. It helped to have someone there with, chat, push, work off and also if you lucky some fun places to fool about at! Have fun and good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Morris Posted April 5, 2011 Report Share Posted April 5, 2011 I think the most important thing is the attitude you approach the half-marathon with. Be positive, 13.1 miles really isn't very far. Start with running 3 miles at relaxed pace, then a quicker 3 miles, then 5 miles at a relaxed pace, then a quicker 5 miles (then 7, 9, 11, 13). You also need to work out what your pace is, are you a 9 minute miler, a 10 minute miler or an 11 minute miler? You might even find that at half-marathon distance you can go faster. Work out what's comfortable for you, what are your ambitions? Sub 2 hours needs 9 minute miles. Eat lots of carbohydrates - rice, pasta, bread, cereal and potatoes are all good. There are Jelly Belly sports beans as well as Lucozade carb gels and beans; you'll also find that most sweets like jelly babies and fruit pastilles are surprisingly full of carbohydrates (mainly sugar). Last of all make sure you stretch thoroughly after every run so that you're not aching all week long. I'm running the London Marathon in less than two weeks, wish me luck! http://www.justgiving.com/stephenmorrismarathon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish-Finger-er Posted April 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2011 Done a couple of runs so far, I dont know whether this is right or not, but been told by a couple of people,mainly train at the pace you want to run at and increase the distance, rather than running the distance you want and upping it. does that sound right, or is it bonkers??? (to be honest its making more sense to me, partially because running a mile at 11 or 12 minute pace is still uncomfortable and gets me out of breath after a short time right now) Ive been running 9.5 minute miles, and i can keep that pace up for around a mile, at which point i'll normally do the distance back at a brisk walk/jog, basically going to try and extend that out to 3 or 4 miles by the end of the month, which gives me a semi solid base on which to actually do a 3 month training programme or whatever off runners world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Morris Posted April 5, 2011 Report Share Posted April 5, 2011 Yeah that makes sense. Before starting a 12 - 16 week training plan you should be able to comfortably run 3 or 4 miles. People run marathons after 12 weeks of training so you'll breeze the half marathon, regardless of whether you're of heavy build or not. Try and run regularly, maybe two little runs in the week and a bigger run at the weekend. Most people I've spoken to (including Liz Yelling) say that the best way to run long distances is through varied training - intervals, sprints, fartleks etc (look them up). Running is boring, so try and vary it as much as you can, jump on the bus or on a train and run home again. There are some good apps on i-phone (Nike+ is my favourite) that play music from i-tunes and give you GPS maps of pace and distance which can be helpful too. Let me know how you get on. Stephen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shamus Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 I'm also doing a Half Marathon but at the end of may. Beware overtraining, increase distance by all means, but when you add, stick to 10% a week. I've just started, maybe 2 weeks? no 2.5 weeks, anyway; I do a little running anyway and am really skinny. But a friend of mine who used to play rugby and is 16.5stone, did a 11mile XC race with the school he works at, with almost no training (just a few 5 mile treadmill here and there). For a bigger guy, watch knee pain closely and give it time to heal. I'd say be prepared to do a few long runs but then do short runs in the following few days. For example, I currently do 8 miles in 1hr (ish) on wed, then a slow/short of about 2 on thurs, then nothing until 5 miles sunday and monday evenings. If the race is on tarmac, you need to run on tarmac otherwise you won't be used to the impact, It's important to build up the joints Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danfoss - BANNED Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 Just had a shoe fitting today. Had it done at this place http://www.mymoti.com/reading/shoefit.php Was intresting to see what goes on. Got my self some new shoes and feels so much better. Rosting here today so went for a nice 6 mile run, 50mins, no strain and really happy with the new runners Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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