Half Marathon advice?

Question

So I finally got off my starting to sag butt and got to the gym, im loving the running and can now run 3 mile (4.8 ish Km) in about 25 minutes.

My city does a marathon each year, and Im thinking..

In 14 weeks can I get upto being able to run 13.1 miles in a reasonable time?

What is a reasonable time for someone to aim for completing it?

Where can I get some advice about training schedules etc?

Answer 1

You could run a marathon in 14 weeks of training if you are dedicated enough. You will just have to start loggin miles every week and then stepping it up the next week. YOu will get injuries (some minor some major) and you will even want to quit, but its all up to you and how hard you can push your self.

Go get a book on training or go to www.runnersworld.com, they have some good tips and trainign schedules to follow. Try and eat right to give you energy for your runs, also sign up for a run every two - four weeks to get some race experience.

I started running last February and completed my first Half that May, I finished in 2 hours and 22 minutes. My last half Marathon was a month ago (Santa Cruz Half) and i finished it in 1:51 minutes.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

Well congrats on starting to run!  That is a big first step.  

14 weeks is plenty of time to complete 13.1 miles.  Reasonable time - hmm, that could be different with everyone you talk to!  Elite runners will complete it anywhere from 59 minutes to 1:13 (depending on gender - this is assuming you are male) with everyone else doing it from that time even up to 3.5 hours.  I would say the average would be from 1:55 - 2:20.  A good place to go for training schedules would be here http://www.runnersworld.com/channel/0,71...  Have fun with the training and the run!

Answer 3

It depends, what is the longest run you have done in recent memory?  If it is over 8, you will easily be able to train for a half.  If it is 3 miles, probably not.

You are doing 8 minute miles now for 3 miles.  You should probably break a 2:10 half, or so.

marathontraining.com has some good training schedules.