Half marathon unfit. Do-able ?

[Jamie Taylor]

A few of my friends are doing a half marathon next week and I really want to do it. The problem is I havent trained in a good 2 month and the longest I have ever ran in my life was 8 mile on sand ( I tore my calf muscles and had to walk on my tiptoes for a week ) lol.

I know I should have prepared for it but if I go at an easy pace will it be okay or is it a bad idea ? will take me over 2 hours if I go a steady 6mph.

Just worried I might get injured or end up with a chest infection or something ( I'm prone to them ) but I'm thinking if I just take it easy all the way and sip on an energy drink I should make it ok.

Thoughts ?

[OllieR]

mind over matter mate..... just don't expect to be able to walk properly for a few days.

The nature of long distance running means you shouldn't really expect to injure youself (low dynamic requirements, low explosive qualities etc)

still going to make you very sore though..... just as anything would that your not used too.

[mooron]

I wouldn't take it on Jamie, not without preparing first, ive been training properly for a 6 mile run for about 4 weeks propper and it still takes it out of me after 4 miles, was due to step upto to the full 6 miles last week but have got in inner ear infection which has stopped me firmly in my tracks for the time being.
But more power to you if you think you can do it, and good luck if you decide to go for it.

[Daddy D]

You should be ok., Last year I done a half after hardly any training due to injury, the furthest I ran was 7 miles a month before the race, and got through ok, but was in pain from mile 5, but kept running, admittedly I couldnt walk afterwards. If you stop running, you may have problems getting going again, so my advice would be to pick a nice easy pace and stick with it for 13.2 miles, dont stop.

[WalkingAlong]

Would agree with the above, ran a half marathon last month and just stuck to a pace. It really hit me at about 11-12 miles, and plenty of people were stopping to walk, if you can just keep picking your feet up you'll be fine.

The sense of achievement will be big too, so just keep thinking of that when you're heading for the line. Good Luck!

[MikeyL]

just get your mates to carry you lol

[Wiegieboard]

As an army man once said to me "It's not a matter of having the cardio. It's more a matter of just having the balls to keep on running through blood, sick and snotters"

[Jamie Taylor]

Well I did it today and LOVED it.

It was agony and I felt like quitting when I got to the 10 mile point but I stuck it out and finished it in 2hrs 10 mins. Obviously I did it at an easy pace as I am truly out of shape so I wasnt blowing out my arse at all but jesus my fucking achilles tendons, hip flexors and hamstrings are still screaming now ( finished it at about 12 o clock ) and I can barely walk around the house.

I am dreading tomorrow and the rest of the week but it was worth it and the sense of accomplishment when I crossed the line was amazing. :-)

Hope I have inspired the more lazy out of you all to get off your arses and do one for a good course in the near future, if I can do it in the shape im in at the moment anyone can. ( its pretty demoralizing when wizened old men run past you smiling ) lol

[Daddy D]

Well done fella. 2 hrs 10 isnt a bad time at all

[pauljono1120]

Well done, i probably would of stopped after like 2 miles haha

[matt@westfightcompany]

Well done Jamie, nice one mate!

[ashy51]

Nice on Jamie, you have actually inspired me to get off my arse after doing nothing for the last 3 weeks.

[MikeyL]

well done mate