Robynfs!

I hope you don't mind being paged - but your story really inspired me and I'd love to start really training for some 5k, 10k and half marathon races.
Could you give us some tips, tell us when and how you began to train?

Thanks so much. And again, congratulations to you!

Re: Robynfs!

Oh, I love that you are seeking advice and that I was able to inspire some of you!! I was inspired last year...so it means so much that I can do that for others,

I started running about 5 years ago. I NEVER ran before. But I just started walking on the treadmill. I started walking at a 4.0 and gradually would increase the speed and incline according to the type of workout I wanted.

Then, I started adding a minute of running for every 2 minutes of walking. Then added 2 min of running for every 2 min. of walking. I did this gradually until I could run about a mile and walk as a recovery for a min or two.

After I was able to run a mile, I slowed my speed and added another mile. I kept doing this until I worked up to about 3 miles. At this point I took my workout outside. I worked at running for about 30 minutes continuously until I couldnt bare to walk anymore cause running felt so good.

After that I just gradually increased my speed and distance. If you have any more specific questions please let me know. I would love to help and share what I have learned through my training program.

Good Luck...and happy running!

Re: Robynfs!

Hi Robyn

just wanted to say Congrats to you!! You posted a fantastic time and I am so glad you came in under your goal time. It must have been a tremendous feeling.

Mel, I run smaller races sometimes with DH in the city. I'd love to sign up for one and run super slow with you!!

Re: Robynfs!

Thanks, Robyn. I guess spefically, I'd like to know how long you spent training for a marathon. Also, did you join like a running club/group, consult with a trainer, make big changes to your diet....maybe I should FM you but I'm sure that I'm not the only one whose interest has been sparked because of your experience.

Jessica, that would be fun to run a race with you. I couldn't do more than a 5K at this point though.

Re: Robynfs!

i don't mean to barge in, but i've run two marathons so i figured i could help out too.

most marathon training plans are 18 weeks long, although you can do shorter. there are tons of sample plans on the web. i suggest looking at ingnycmarathon.com under training for some samples so you can get an idea of what it entails.

if you want to run one next year start now by building up a base. if you are averaging at least 10 miles a week before the 18 week program starts you'll be in good shape.

as far as me i ran my first marathon with an aids marathon charity training program similar to the team for kids program that robyn did. for my second one i just took what i'd learned in that one and did the training myself. i didn't talk to any trainers or change my diet.

anyway, hope you don't mind the unsolicited comments. feel free to pm me if you like. i was inspired watching the marathon this year and think i will try to run next year.

Re: Robynfs!

Re: Robynfs!

Re: Robynfs!

peabody- i'm by no means an expert, but the half marathon training plans that i've looked at don't start til about 12 weeks before the race. so for now i would probably continue doing what you're doing, maybe try to increase speed or maybe go on some longer runs (6-8 miles) on the weekend if you don't already.

you should check out runnersworld.com. they have some training plans on there and also the forums are a great resource for training questions.

also if you google half marathon training you'll find lots of different plans so you can get an idea of what it will entail.

i would also try to run a shorter race within the next couple of months just to see how you do.

let me know if you need anything else.

Re: Robynfs!

Wow this sounds so amazing. Maybe I'll make this my two year goal lol. When you say averaging 10 miles a week, do you suggest running 2 miles 5 days a week?

Re: Robynfs!

well for me there's no way i could run 5 days a week. so i usually do something like 2 weekdays of 3 miles and one weekend day of 4 or more miles. i think you're probably better off switching the distance up a little to build endurance. especially if you're aiming to eventually run a half or full marathon.