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i want to run a half marathon in six months. right now i can run a mile.
- Thread starter ElFenix
- Start date
SociallyChallenged
Elite
If you want to train for a half marathon, I would say no elliptical - just go into running, especially because of your schedule. There are a ton of training plans out there, so google around to find what works for you. Be very aware of pains, aches, calluses, blisters, shoe comfort, etc. Ice bathes are your friend after long runs. That's pretty much it.
GarfieldtheCat
Diamond Member
Don't be afraid to run indoors on a treadmill, especially since your race will be during the winter......you want plenty of hydration during your long runs that you build up to, and running on a treadmill at a club lets you have plenty of water available. Running outdoors can sometimes cuase trouble keeping enough water handy.
I've run a couple of 1/2 marathons, and one full marathon, doing all my training (except various warm-up races, of course) indoors.
I've run a couple of 1/2 marathons, and one full marathon, doing all my training (except various warm-up races, of course) indoors.
imported_Imp
Diamond Member
Just start running. I spent a month on an exercise bike, hoping to up my cardio and leg strength before I started running. It helped the cardio alright, but running uses different muscles so you'll have to get those up to strength first.
A lot of it's in your head. When I first started running a month back, I could barely do 400m without feeling like dying. I'm now up to 3km (2 mile-ish), and could go further if I didn't run after dinner; my abdomen hurt more than my legs. Get a music player for distraction early on, keeps your mind off the pain.
A lot of it's in your head. When I first started running a month back, I could barely do 400m without feeling like dying. I'm now up to 3km (2 mile-ish), and could go further if I didn't run after dinner; my abdomen hurt more than my legs. Get a music player for distraction early on, keeps your mind off the pain.
RagingBITCH
Lifer
ElFenix - go lookup one of those half marathon training plans people post. You really need about a good 4 months to properly prepare. Some of the ones brikis posted assume you're already in good running shape. IE, can do at least a 5K without much trouble/stopping.
To really run a half you should at least have a decent base mileage built up...at least the 5K mark. (3.1 miles) I'd probably say 10K as your base if you're looking to do one in the next 2ish months. Once you have that you should be able to do most any half marathon plan.
I'd check around local running stores. I don't know of any running clubs off the top of my head in Houston, but the big one in Austin is ARC, (Austin Running Club) and the big ones here in Dallas are the DRC, RunOn, and Lukes Locker. (DRC probably being the big club, but RunOn and Lukes both host very excellent running/training programs)
I'd check out any local and good running specialty shops, and look for Houston running clubs that have training plans for half and full marathons. I think you might be biting off more than you can chew depending on how far you can run now. Not to put you off or doubt your abilities though. A quick search on Google brings up HoustonFit.com and the HARRA.
And in regards to the heat - suck it up. Texas weather isn't bad...you just need to get up early and train/run 4 days a week at 6-7AM before it gets really hot. I actually usually used to run later (around 10am on the weekends) when it was already 85. I'm used to it...and hydrate well before and afterwards.
My long distance days I'm running around the equivalent of a half marathon distance right now on Saturdays, if not a tiny bit shorter. I just started a full marathon training program, so I'm back to running 6 miles on my long days at the start, which eventually stretches out to 21 as my longest run during the training program.
To really run a half you should at least have a decent base mileage built up...at least the 5K mark. (3.1 miles) I'd probably say 10K as your base if you're looking to do one in the next 2ish months. Once you have that you should be able to do most any half marathon plan.
I'd check around local running stores. I don't know of any running clubs off the top of my head in Houston, but the big one in Austin is ARC, (Austin Running Club) and the big ones here in Dallas are the DRC, RunOn, and Lukes Locker. (DRC probably being the big club, but RunOn and Lukes both host very excellent running/training programs)
I'd check out any local and good running specialty shops, and look for Houston running clubs that have training plans for half and full marathons. I think you might be biting off more than you can chew depending on how far you can run now. Not to put you off or doubt your abilities though. A quick search on Google brings up HoustonFit.com and the HARRA.
And in regards to the heat - suck it up. Texas weather isn't bad...you just need to get up early and train/run 4 days a week at 6-7AM before it gets really hot. I actually usually used to run later (around 10am on the weekends) when it was already 85. I'm used to it...and hydrate well before and afterwards.
My long distance days I'm running around the equivalent of a half marathon distance right now on Saturdays, if not a tiny bit shorter. I just started a full marathon training program, so I'm back to running 6 miles on my long days at the start, which eventually stretches out to 21 as my longest run during the training program.
nick1985
Lifer
Dont make running complicated with elipticals and all of that other fancy BS. Just run.
Honestly I think a lot of people think too far into running when it is actually the most simple sport out there in terms of what to do to improve; run.
Im not a big fan of running indoors either, I always viewed it as wimping out. I ran everything from the 400 meters through the half marathon at very competetive levels (NCAA championships), and never once did a run indoors. I live in Chicago too, so I experienced everything from -30 windchills to over 100, and ran them all outside. It toughens you up not so much physically, but psychologically when you do a hard ass run in the heat. Im not advocating being stupid about it and having heat strokes because you have no water, but I hope you know what I mean. If the weather is really extreme, Id suggest doing a couple short loops around your home so if it gets really bad out, or you start feeling funny, you can get back to your home relatively quickly.
If you start running on treadmills indoors a lot, when race day comes and its warm out (or cold) you may shut down psychologically because its in conditions where you would have run inside or done an eliptical workout...I have seen it happen. Train in all weather, you never know what it will be like on race day.
Honestly I think a lot of people think too far into running when it is actually the most simple sport out there in terms of what to do to improve; run.
Im not a big fan of running indoors either, I always viewed it as wimping out. I ran everything from the 400 meters through the half marathon at very competetive levels (NCAA championships), and never once did a run indoors. I live in Chicago too, so I experienced everything from -30 windchills to over 100, and ran them all outside. It toughens you up not so much physically, but psychologically when you do a hard ass run in the heat. Im not advocating being stupid about it and having heat strokes because you have no water, but I hope you know what I mean. If the weather is really extreme, Id suggest doing a couple short loops around your home so if it gets really bad out, or you start feeling funny, you can get back to your home relatively quickly.
If you start running on treadmills indoors a lot, when race day comes and its warm out (or cold) you may shut down psychologically because its in conditions where you would have run inside or done an eliptical workout...I have seen it happen. Train in all weather, you never know what it will be like on race day.
Work on getting your endurance up, ellipticals are good low impact cardio exercise. You basically want to be able to sustain ~80% cardiac output comfortably for an hour or so before getting serious about pushing training. If you try to push the endurance too hard too fast you will just get frustrated and quit.
And don't be afraid of a little heat. If anything, it helps you build even more endurance. If you can run 13 miles in 90 degree heat imagine how easy that half marathon will be in the fall weather...
And don't be afraid of a little heat. If anything, it helps you build even more endurance. If you can run 13 miles in 90 degree heat imagine how easy that half marathon will be in the fall weather...