Running

I've aways felt that time running builds both fitness (which can be lost) strength (also can be lost) and efficiency (which you are unlikely to loose)

The efficiency is so valuable, and i think often forgotten by more experienced runners!

Yes, an increased running age helps, until things start wearing out!

If you're going to take less than 1.30, just get used to a bit of water. Closer to 2hrs, half a banana or some chocolate will do. If you're taking longer than 2hrs, you might as well stop for chips.

My 5k time is somewhere around 29 minutes, so I imagine I'll be 2hrs+

Mmm, chips

under 2 hours i'd stick with energy drinks, learning to digest anything solid while running is not that much fun.

you've got over 6 months before the half sparky, you really should be aiming for sub 2 hours.

I feel bad but i really don't think its worth bothering unless you are going to try...

http://runkeeper.com/user/410182224/activity/69962202

3.8 mile - very little walking this time.

I feel bad but i really don't think its worth bothering unless you are going to try...

Ouch. I'm going to try, but as someone who's never run further than 3 miles, I'm aiming - at the moment - at finishing, rather than setting a good time.

Simple.

Ouch. I'm going to try, but as someone who's never run further than 3 miles, I'm aiming - at the moment - at finishing, rather than setting a good time.

I know and was reticent about typing it, but i honestly believe anyone can run a half in 2 hours with the right training, and commitment!

just think you can run a 1/4 of a half at the required pace so you just need to get to the stage where you can run 4 of them back to back!

adrenaline will get you the find km!

OK, we'll let's not run before we can walk.

AHHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH.

I'm sure I could run much more with new knees. It's them what forces me to take it easy, because apart from sore knees and heels/ankles, I'm not really tired. Sad.

I know and was reticent about typing it, but i honestly believe anyone can run a half in 2 hours with the right training, and commitment!

just think you can run a 1/4 of a half at the required pace so you just need to get to the stage where you can run 4 of them back to back!

adrenaline will get you the find km!

I agree with Ed.

To mangle my favourite training analogy: since you're new to running there's a lot of toothpaste in your tube; you can squeeze it gently anywhere to get some out.

And just to get it in first: Euph?

That's a nice analogy. I'll have a little squeeze later on, but from the bottom of the tube, BECAUSE ONLY SAVAGES SQUEEZE FROM THE MIDDLE.

That's a nice analogy. I'll have a little squeeze later on, but from the bottom of the tube, BECAUSE ONLY SAVAGES SQUEEZE FROM THE MIDDLE.

I'll point that out to the mrs...

BECAUSE ONLY SAVAGES SQUEEZE FROM THE MIDDLE.

This.

OK, looks like I'm doing a half-marathon. What the hell do I do now?

Don't panic. Half a marathon is achievable just from general good fitness. Full marathon is the potential health destroyer.

Health destroyer? That sounds terrifying. I would be more worried if it wasn't so far away. I've just got to make sure that I actually get started now.

The length of time it takes to run a half marathon means you need to be able to....

... take on carbs and fluid while running.

I think you can do the distance without that (I've run 10 miles with no refreshment), but that would limit the speed you could do it in.

Get the right shoes

I aim to run a half marathon (or, at least, a half marathon distance) barefoot, this year. Really silly ambition, but achievable.

Health destroyer? That sounds terrifying. I would be more worried if it wasn't so far away. I've just got to make sure that I actually get started now.

Full marathon can be - certainly much, much more physically punishing than a half marathon. Luckily, you're attempting the latter. Like I said, this is achievable simply from a decent level of fitness, without any super special training or technique.

Don't panic. Half a marathon is achievable just from general good fitness. Full marathon is the potential health destroyer.

This. I did my first half last weekend. Had the idea that entering the Marrakech marathon would keep me training through the winter. The reality, virtually nothing on the bike or running since the 3 peaks in September. I think I ran 5 or 6 times this year. One of 90 minutes, 1 of an hour and the others were all around 30 minutes. I got round comfortably in 2 hours. It's easily do able if you are reasonably fit.

The full marathon comment worries me, got my first one in July. Probably need to take that a little more serious.

Sparky, with regards to getting fit enough to run one in 9 months. Piece of piss. You could easily get fit enough in 9 weeks in my opinion. It's not that big an ask physically.

I think you can do the distance without that (I've run 10 miles with no refreshment), but that would limit the speed you could do it in.
I aim to run a half marathon (or, at least, a half marathon distance) barefoot, this year. Really silly ambition, but achievable.
Full marathon can be - certainly much, much more physically punishing than a half marathon. Luckily, you're attempting the latter. Like I said, this is achievable simply from a decent level of fitness, without any super special training or technique.

I run 10k's without anything. for 20k's I need carbs. This partly down to being a busy father, with little time for prep. I like gels

I dont think a half marathon is a distructive distance in the way a marathon is. Like you say. But running for 2 hours requires stuff, 5 and 10k's dont.

I stand by my long slow, strength building, sunday runs.

All the best on the bare foot thing.

Maras aren't destructive, pushing them too hard on insufficient training or an injury might be.

Half marathon seems relatively easy when you've done a few, but before the first one you need to prepare properly, as it is a long way to run.

Like anything if you prepare properly hand pace yourself well then you'll probably feel looking back on it that it was easy and you don't know what you worried about!

I've gone both ways in the past, and a small nagging feeling that you could have gone a bit harder is a much better feeling than not being able to walk, chucking your guts up or hoping you die!

TBH I dont like marathons. I like punishing challenges. But marathons just seem to slowly destroy my body.

I cant run them amongst my other physical hobbys.

Interestingly I ran the Reading half in 96mins, when at my peak running condition. I ran the local half here, last year, 10kg heavier, with a huge twisted ankle, in 103mins. The other dosen or so have been in this 7min window. Guess I'm set in my pace.

Sparky, it's worth using a training programme - there are plenty of free ones to choose from. I'm using one from the Running Times Magazine at the moment for a 10k run in May

Don't panic. Half a marathon is achievable just from general good fitness. Full marathon is the potential health destroyer.

Half or full, you need to get your body used to running or you'll get an injury. You'll probably get round ok, but you'll suffer after.