Do I have enough time?

[Veronica]

I'm thinking about doing Barb's Race http://www.vineman.com/race03/


I'm not really worried about the swim or the bike portions. I've never been a runner though. Last year I went running once, did three miles in about thirty minutes and that wasn't terribly taxing, so I figure I could probably do that still.

Is three months enough time to work up to running 13 miles? I'll have about 6 weeks before the race when I'll be out of school so training time will be easier to come by.

Thanks,

V.

[jesvetmed]

What a fun way to participate in a 1/2 IM!

I'd say if your body handles running well, that is doable. Sounds like you're in shape for the rest. Just start where you are comfortable, add 10% distance weekly, taking lots of days off running so you don't stress the body too much. Easy to say, huh?! But seriously, I did 1/2 marathon several years ago and worked up to that fairly quickly once I put my mind to it. The mind is my biggest problem (next to calf cramping!).

Cool goal... give it a try! (or... a tri! I'm SO corny! )

[KSH]

Wow... 3 months... or rather 11 weeks (minus a week for a taper)... to train for a half marathon and you have never been a runner? Hhhuuummmm.

Are you OK with walking the run? If so, then I say go for it, and train with a walk/run combo to prevent injury. Since you do not have a running base to start from... and there is the 10% more a week rule... you really don't want to ramp it up too quickly.

But if you do a walk/run combo... you can ramp up quicker as walking is easier on your body than running.

I would suggest trying a 5 minute walk/2 minute run combo for your longer sessions and run your shorter sessions. That way, you can keep your run fitness up for the walk/run sessions.

Hopefully Wahine will weigh in on this one. I'm not an expert... but I really don't know if you can go from no running base to running a full half marathon 11 weeks later. Again, just sounds like you would be asking for an injury. But you could walk/run it!

[Veronica]

It's actually 15 weeks. The event isn't until Aug. 2.

V.

[Veronica]

Well I did it, I'm committed. Or maybe should be committed. The venue is close enough to where we live that I can go do all the parts of the course ahead of time.

This will be interesting.

V.

[rocknrollgirl]

Wow....that is a lot in 15 weeks.
I am not an expert, but I have found that if you ramp up your swim or bike too fast, you will be tired and sore, if you ramp up your run too fast, you will get hurt.

I second Karen on the walk run attack, especially if you have no running base, and be careful!

[Starfish]

This will be interesting.

Your exploits always are!

I don't know anything about the running training, but I will follow your training with avid interest! Go V!