Doing a Marathon or half
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Topic: Doing a Marathon or half
Posted By: jazzy
Subject: Doing a Marathon or half
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 9:30am
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I am thinking of doing a half marathon, something I never even considered before, but after talking to a friend & the amount of walking I had been doing she suggested I do 1 that is coming up this yr where you can walk or run.
I have never really run before but do big walks, the other day it was just over 15km & part of that was pushing a pram & dragging kids. I am not a runner but did a couple of little bursts yesterday with the pram. It is at the end of October. I want to register as a runner not a walker. I am planning on walking daily & building up running. I need to work at my weight loss & fitness level. So what do I need to know & what should I be aiming on. I am using RunKeeper app on my phone, which I love, so it does the distance etc correctly. Any advise would be great, thanks 
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Replies:
Posted By: peachy
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 10:13am
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I am a keen runner and have done numerous half marathons all over Auckland and did the Kerikeri one a couple of times too.
If you go to http://www.coolrunning.co.nz/training/ - this website its a great help for training and tips to help get you up to a good fitness level. It also lists most of the runs around the country. Hope this healps. Good luck, its a great goal to aim for ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 10:56am
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Hey Jazz, I went from being a complete non-runner to running a half marathon with 6 months training. I was doing it with a friend so that kept me focussed otherwise I doubt I would have achieved it! The website from peachy is a good one. Good luck love
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Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 11:27am
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Thanks girls will check out that site peachy.
What was your training plan like LR? |
Posted By: james
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 11:38am
oh me to i want to run the half marathon this year have restarted my walking and gonin back to the gym its quite scary but i am goning to give it a go ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 12:00pm
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james how much running are you doing?
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Posted By: mothermercury
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 12:10pm
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I would so love to do something like this! I have basically zero running experience though, and I am really worried that I will lose weight (already scrawny) and that it will affect my breastfeeding. Need to up my calorie intake first I think.
I had a look at Hal Higdon's marathon training guide (one of the links on coolrunnings) and even the novice runs seem too much. Don't think I can even run 1.5mi to start with (although I can walk for hours). 
I haven't got any advice, but good on you jazzy, it's great that you are thinking of doing this! 
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Posted By: MrsMac
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 12:24pm
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keep googling running training programs until you find one that you're comfortable with. My new years resolution one year was to do a half marathon and i hadn't run in YEARS! I literally started off alternating run 2mins then walk 2 mins for 20 mins the first day (and those last two mins of jogging were HARD) but i ran my first half marathon 5 months later ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 1:01pm
As a rough guide started I running 4 nights of the week for 5ks each night until I could run 5ks comfortably (took about 3 wks) and then started doing longer runs 5 nights a week, anywhere from 30 mins to an hour. Then a few months out I followed the training schedule on the ChCh Mara site. http://www.sbsmarathon.co.nz/default.asp?PageID=5349 - Training schedule |
jazzy wrote:Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 1:27pm
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thanks MissShell
MrsMac good idea, I told DH I need good running shoes so will go to somewhere proper & get them done
Thanks LR, interesting about the pace times. I walked over 15kms in 3hrs & half of that was with the pram & dragging other kids for a couple of kms
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Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 2:36pm
Go Jazzy 
When i started i only walked but over broken ground as much as possible, walking on the flat is brilliant but walking on hills and rough tracks (not footpaths) is better. For running i did intervals with the street lights - sprint one, jog one, walk one repeat. Out-backs really helped me too because i'm competitive with myself - have a fixed point, run to it timing yourself. Then run back, but the idea is to beat your own time. Marathons are great, i've run the chch one once and walked it twice, the walking is the best people dress up, people take their prams, its great. You'll love it
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Posted By: crafty1
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 2:40pm
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Running rocks! haha i love it and have trained a few friends who said they couldn't run.
I think the biggest thing is to realise that there are different types of runs to train different things. If you want to build up your cardiovasc fitness (ie increase distance and times) then you need to start running at a really slow pace. If you go at it full tilt you will be buggered, only run a couple of kms, won't enjoy it, and it won't increase your CV fitness - or burn fat. Then running will always be hard. So you basically want to start out running at a comfortable pace, this may only be a little faster than a walk and you may feel like a plonker but it is the best way to get some distances up. Before long you'll be able to work on speed, hills etc. If you're puffing too much slow down, you should feel like you could run like that for ages. I do say tho not to stop and walk on your runs, do some longer walks separately. Or set yourself a run time of say 15 mins and don't stop to walk till after that. Another good thing is to learn to recover while running so when you're buggered from a hill or going too fast, don't stop and walk but run really slow for 100m till your breathing is better, then back to training pace. Running is completely a mental game and i honestly believe everyone can run (and enjoy it even!) but that it is our thoughts that stop us. It shouldn't take you long to build up your times. If you started doing 3 runs a week for 15-20 mins (3km) comfortably, then build up 5 mins till you're doing 30-35 mins (5km) comfortably and then start adding in a long run. So one of those runs add as much as you feel you can so maybe 10/15 mins. Once you're doing up to 10km and a few 5km runs then your cv fitness will be good enough to start looking at increasing speed etc. And yes it's always good to sign up for a run early in the piece so that you've got your motivation. I use www.mapmyrun.com to see how far i'm going and plot my routes. Let us know how you get on. I'm going to go check out that website, need a run for myself! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: james
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 3:35pm
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hahah run did you say hahaha i dont run in fact i have never run but i am going to give it a go ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: tropics
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 4:12pm
Im so not a runner and am still slightly over weight and I ran the kerikeri half marathon the November just gone, I followed the programme on the internet on the kerikeri half marathon website but my mid week runs I stuck to around 7km as thats all I could fit in and did the long runs in the weekend, I only ran 3 times a week but had a good base fitness level and did cycling too, start off slow as others have said you will go further, the couch to running 5km programme is a good way to start thats the run for 2min roughly walk for 2min etc until your running 5km once you get to running distances like that you can build on it a few km a week, it never got any easier per say but you eventually think ahhh 7km is nothing when you run 19km but its still has hard (if that makes sense?) I found that focusing on distances rather than time helped, as I am a slow runner, get some good shoes first, go to shoe science or somewhere like that and be prepared to spend a fortune on shoes but a good investment, when your running anything over 12-14km take Gel or jelly beans or something for some extra energy, and the one thing I couldnt run without was music, stopped me thinking of my breathing and pain etc, also running really is a mind game! more a mind game that a physical thing in the end  if i can do it you can so do it! go for it! plently of time ------------- http://lilypie.com">    [/url]
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Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 5:57pm
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thanks bowie
james I am the same as you
great advise crafty1 & Kye It says on the site you should not use an ipod etc but I would be lost without mine  how else do you tune out the pain & the distance...what do you think about if you don't have music going through your brain..
running is not a cheap hobby, lol, shoes, marathon fees, transport etc also those that run do you carry water etc with you & when you do marathons do you carry stuff like keys, water, tissues, ph? (I carry all that when I walk)
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Posted By: HuntersMama
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 6:38pm
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Great advice crafty - you can train me i always get puffed so just stop or start walking but need to give it a better go I think. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: crafty1
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 6:39pm
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I never run with an ipod, don't know what i think about really. Look at people's gardens, think about stuff, that's one of the reasons i like running cos i just get to zone out. After about 30 mins i find i almost do zone out, like in a trance or something. I'll find i've run a km and not really noticed. But so what works for you!
I carry water on long runs in a little waist belt carrier thing, that also has a pouch. Hubby is always home with kids tho so i never need keys. I do take money in case i need it! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: tropics
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 7:03pm
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ohmig! I dont think I could run 5km without my ipod but managed to do a half marathon with it! I so so so so need my music that is a must for me why do they say not to run with an ipod? I have been in some triathalons where your not allowed to run with them for safety reasons, but it was only 3km so wasnt to bad
I run with a drink bottle of water and use to pop into the shops on my long runs to buy another one, I was the only one with a drink bottle I saw on the half marathon and to be honest I didnt drink much of it as it was powerade and I think it gave me a tummy ache, there are so many water stations at the events you dont really need to take water to the event, another way to have fluids on the long runs are to drop a drink bottle off somewhere on route before hand In terms of taking things, I got an arm band from rebel sports which is an armband with a pocket on it, which I cliped my ipod to and could fit in my phone and gels jelly beans etc in, I did use to put those things in the zip pocket on the back of my bike pants until I got a sore back from it ------------- http://lilypie.com"> [/url]
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Posted By: _Lou_
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 7:12pm
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Hey Jazzy, I've done a couple of half marathons in Auckland and the Hamilton one and they are awesome!
Its such a fantastic feeling on the day when you are on your way and achieving your goal... in fact I have to admit to being a bit emotional at the start of one! 
My first half marathon I learnt a lot of lessons... the hard way!Shoes are so important, and while you can spend a few hundred on a good pair, they really are worth every cent. A good training programme is great to keep you on track. I was doing 2-3 shorter runs during the week (anywhere from 5km to 8km) then a longer run in the weekend. I think we trained for 16 weeks and increased the long run each weekend. Before you know it, you'll be addicted to pounding the pavement!
Good luck
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Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 7:41pm
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Awesome thread and advise girls!!! Im doing a boot camp at the moment to get my fitness back up after christmas. I love running (must do it with my ipod to help me get in the zone though!)but Ive never been able to go far or well but my aim is to do a half this year. My main issues are my knees and my *shame* pelvic floor...not what it used to be...
Anyhow thanks for the links, will keep checking in here to see how you are all going! ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: _Lou_
Date Posted: 16 February 2011 at 8:28pm
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Ohhh Fattarts, I did a bootcamp late last year and it was great!!! Seriously good way to get your fitness up and build strength and tone!
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Posted By: crafty1
Date Posted: 17 February 2011 at 12:34pm
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hey just thought about a good Auckland half - the Onehunga one is on in September so you'd have plenty of time to train for it. They also do a 5, 10 and 16km distance and it is a few weeks before the Auck Marathon, so is also a good prep for those who are doing that one. Pretty flat and fast course mostly along waterfronts etc so not having to deal with too many cars. We do the event most years in some capacity, and will be definitely be doing it this year too. Maybe the half this year (groan). ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 17 February 2011 at 12:45pm
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wow good idea crafty1. I am planing on doing the AK half so the Oney one would be good as I live near there anyway...so could run to the start lol Can you walk if need be?
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Posted By: PorterLou
Date Posted: 17 February 2011 at 7:35pm
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Hi Jazzy
I'm running the Wellington round the bays half marathon on Sunday! Its the third time I've done it, but this year my time will be the slowest yet - I've not done anywhere near as much training as I did for my first! Things that helped me: http://runnersworld.com - Runners World - loads of tips for beginner runners, professionals, everything from food to injuries to training etc http://marathontraining.com - Marathon Training - this covers marathon training (which was my aim - a knee injury changed that) but there is a great "mileage build-up" schedule which finishes on about 19k which is good for a half marathon. Just make sure you choose the km one, not the mile one...very confusing! Kerre Woodham's book "Short Fat Chick to marathon runner" (and her subsequent "Short Fat Chick in Paris") Someone to run with - in my case I have my tall gorgeous French friend with long legs who was fast. I still did my maintenance runs and general runs, but a couple of times a week I had her to do a fast run with, which really helps fitness and training. http://mapometer.com - mapometer - great for mapping out your distance runs! Powerade in a powder form (from the supermarket) - one scoop makes a cup, and once you're running for over an hour you'll need this after Honey on white bread - same reason as powerade, you'll need the sugar (I run in the mornings and if I don't eat quickly by 10am I'm slumped at my desk!) And the best advice Cathy my French friend said? The day before you run a marathon, don't make any plans. Spend the whole day in close proximity to a bathroom, and then drink LOADS of water, so much water until you'll nearly burst, and then drink some more. It was the best thing ever, cause for my races I've found I don't get dehydrated, or even that thirsty! I am by no means an expert, so pick and choose this advice. I'm a bit addicted to running, actually, and I'm excited when other people want to do it too!! |
Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 17 February 2011 at 8:23pm
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something else i remembered: my ex-flatmate is a competitive marathon runner and he swore by whole-meal bread spread with nutella and a dirty big banana in it (like a sausage wrapped in bread) before runs, big boost of healthy things (carbs? potassium??) before he set out.
I actually did click in here to say something helpful but the PP about water reminded me of the banananana. Will be back! |
Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 18 February 2011 at 8:25am
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lol bowie
thanks for the sites & advise PorterLou & good luck for Sunday let us know how you went
I am going to Shoe Science next month to get my shoes & feet assessed properly. I started my shakes for b'fast this morning so need to keep that up  I am sure I will get used to this one.
I have 8mths to get ready for it & to lose weight. |
Posted By: Kicker
Date Posted: 18 February 2011 at 9:56am
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Jazzy have you though about doing the run auckland series. Its a great build up to the half marathon. It consists of 6 runs about 3 weeks apart, you can chose your distance either 5k or 10k for each run. -------------  
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Posted By: crafty1
Date Posted: 18 February 2011 at 3:26pm
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jazzy - yep you can walk bits if you've signed up as a runner, or else they have walkers entry too.
it starts outside Columbus. good luck with the run Porterlou! bowie - that does sound good. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 18 February 2011 at 4:41pm
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Kicker just been checking them out, looks good
crafty1 isn't that a cafe? |
Posted By: PorterLou
Date Posted: 18 February 2011 at 6:25pm
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Thanks girls - I'm very nervous but I'm running with my friend Laura so at least it'll be fun, with someone to talk to. I'll let you know my time...if I make it back alive! -------------   
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Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 20 February 2011 at 8:18am
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good luck PorterLou, looking forward to hear how you went
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Posted By: PorterLou
Date Posted: 20 February 2011 at 2:00pm
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Thanks Jazzy, well Wellington put on a cracker of a day, it was so beautiful. Official times are released tomorrow but I think I'm around the 2h20m mark, a bit slower than last year but I had not done anywhere near as much training. Plus we were running it to finish it, and run the whole way (it was my friend's first one), so we enjoyed the scenery and stopped for a water and a couple of bathroom breaks.
Hopefully if I get my act together I can train properly for next year...although having said that if I"m pregnant I'm not sure running in the heat would be a good idea! -------------
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Posted By: PorterLou
Date Posted: 20 February 2011 at 2:01pm
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PS Sooooo glad I booked a massage for tomorrow! After a soak in the tub tonight a massage tomorrow will be just the thing. My legs are sore! -------------
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Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 20 February 2011 at 2:29pm
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wow PorterLou you ran all the way, well done bet you are looking forward to that massage tomorrow
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Posted By: PorterLou
Date Posted: 20 February 2011 at 7:56pm
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Sure am, 1 hour full body massage - bliss!! Its a treat for my poor legs who worked so hard today!
It was a slow but constant jog, but yes I"m proud to say we ran the whole way, and were even overtaking people on that last few ks down Shelley Bay road. Its very satisfying to say I ran the whole way. -------------
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Posted By: threeisenough
Date Posted: 20 February 2011 at 10:37pm
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Hi! dont mean to butt in on your thread - all new to this forum thing!! but fantastic advice on running - thanks! Hoping to a half this year........good luck!
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Posted By: smw85
Date Posted: 21 February 2011 at 8:36am
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Hey! What great reading, I love running but haven't done much of it lately. Just had bubs 7 weeks ago and attempted 2km yesterday and loved it! Such a great feeling, and the best way I reckon to lose weight!
I totally agree with those of you who can't run without ipod! Few years back I was running in Round the Bridges 12km and few km in my Ipod died, I literally couldn't run any further - so I walked the rest of the way! Pathetic I know, but I need those songs to keep me going. I don't have that mental disciple that some of you have. I am just about to download some more music, just wondering what you all reccomend as your best running song. Right now I'm loving Pink - Raise your Glass. It really got me going yesterday. Looking for some new ones! Any thoughts also on the Nike+ sensor for your shoe that works with your ipod? I'm a real gimmicky person and love getting stuff like that.. tempted to pick up one today! Hope you are all running well, fx no injuries at all! |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 21 February 2011 at 1:12pm
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I hate running .. with a passion .. but I do "fun runs", although I dont train for them .. I just wake up and run lol.
Prob not much help. But Jazzy if you intend to run any of the race, you have to sign up as a runner not a walker. You can only be a walker if you intend to walk the entire distance. ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 21 February 2011 at 1:58pm
That is what I am doing. I did read if you sign up as a walker you can still run but you don't get places etc. If you sign up as a runner you can still walk & you get places. Walker start back a bit also. So I have till end of Oct to train for it. My goal is to be able to run by then. I am getting running shoes & going to shoe science to have them done. If I get into it then I will carry on, but I want to say I did a marathon once in my life even if it is a half
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Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 21 February 2011 at 2:49pm
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Yeah its on my bucket list too Jazzy, Im just in no hurry .. did I mention I hate running ;) ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: PorterLou
Date Posted: 21 February 2011 at 4:51pm
I don't think you're butting in! I just jumped in too, with my 5 cents worth! Official time is 2:14:01 - much less than 2:20 - clearly I looked at the clock wrong. Very sore today though! Looking forward to the June one now so that I can better my time (I hope). Will need more runs up Mt Vic though! -------------
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Posted By: smw85
Date Posted: 02 October 2011 at 7:10pm
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Thread bump
So PorterLou did you end up beating your time in June? Any tips? It's October now, how are the October Half Marathon entries going with their training? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: PorterLou
Date Posted: 15 October 2011 at 6:29pm
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smw85 - nope, I didn't even run it!!! I had exams on the week leading up to the race and thought it might be sensible not to commit to running a half marathon when i was anticipating late nights studying.
Pity I didn't use the same common sense this semester - 3 papers, working full time + working part time in hospo to support DF during the world cup was not the smartest decision I've ever made. Sure enough, I'm here today, procrastinating over my final assignment (already a day late...) Ladies, this morning I ordered my wedding dress!! Is very exciting, but I also now have the motivation to lose 5kg or so - best way is by getting back into running. So, is there anyone in Wellington City keen to meet up for a run? I'm currently running 6kms in just over 35 minutes, though I can run faster, I'm just lazy. Just looking for a bit of a training buddy - would be either evenings or early mornings, which I know can be hard for people with children. -------------
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