I'm training to run a half marathon, AMA!

Target time?

I'm being very realistic and just aiming for anything sub-3, which may sound horrifically slow, but considering my current pace averages 13min/mile, I think is a nice target

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Even finishing is a great achievement! Good luck

Can I bite you?

Have you done a half marathon before?

Never! Before last week, I had never actually run any distance whatsoever. I'm not so much looking to run as a "serious" competitor, I'm definitely in it for the fundraising aspect side of things more. It's just a big race that happens to be happening when I'm in the area (I go to uni in Birmingham), and it acts as a really good motivator.

Hey guys!

You know the drill by now

Background info:
-Training for the Bupa Great Birmingham Run in October
-Only ran for the 3rd time today, ever
-Raising money for Cure Leukaemia (https://www.justgiving.com/Hayleymarathonmission/), if any of you feel like assisting
-Me and running do NOT go together

Ask away people!

Yeah, they can be really good fun, I've done the Great North Run a couple of times and the atmosphere there is amazing. I've thought about doing the one in Brum, but never got round to it.

That's cool! I have a half marathon based in my home town (Hastings), which I'm not here for because it falls in the middle of exam period, so I'm planning on using that as my training route :P

I've always wanted to do a half marathon, but I always made excuses. I saw that my university was looking for runners to act as ambassadors for the project they collaborate on with Cure Leukaemia, and I thought that by signing up, I would no longer have any excuse not to do it now!

This is worrying.

It's a good time of year to do it too, not too warm out. Which university are you at if you don't mind me asking?

I know, I do find it worrying to a degree as well, but I'm not going to treat it as a "serious" run. I know that I won't be in the physical condition I'd need to be in, so most of the route will probably be done as a combination of slow jog/walk. Considering I walk at least 7 miles a day (round trip to work), I know what I can currently do, and am going to use that as my base line.

But walking is absolutely nothing like running. I could happily walk for miles before I took up running a couple of years back. It still took me months to be comfortable running 5k. Slowly.

I think he's got plenty of time, considering the time he's aiming for. A half in 3 hours is barely running, I break from a walk at around 6kph. If he can maintain a light jog, or commit to runs with breaks you should be able to do your target time.

What's your training plan like?