Half Marathon - no training???

[natale1980]

I just read a TR where someone didn't train for the 1/2 marathon and still participated. Haven't gotten to the part of it the finished or not... but have you ever heard of this!!?? Is it possible? Did you do it?

-nat

 

[mrsxsparrow]

I did last year. I planned to train but... uh... lost motivation. I'm not in the greatest of shape but I'm not a total couch potato. It sucked. I got huge blisters all over my feet and later in the day I got sick.

I think it depends though. Most people probably wouldn't have such a bad time as I did. My gym routine usually involves the bike or elliptical and some weight training, not much walking/running. Still wouldn't really recommend it though.

Oh BTW I did finish... in something like 3:45. Which is technically over Disney's time limit. Still got a medal though and really, that's all that matters

 

[momof2minnies]

My brother did it last year- did not run a mile for training and finished between 2-3 hrs, can't remember exactly.

Oh and btw he's 40.

Linda

 

[cewait]

Honestly, if a person is asking, "can it be done??" then they probably should not do it.


Maybe a little harsh but I find that if you have a great base i.e. running 6-8 mile long runs every or every other weekend, then maybe. I would still push you to build up a few miles preferably over a month (minimum)....


If you are coming off the couch then mrsxsparrow presented a great answer. You and your feet will suffer, tremendously. If it is warm to hot, you can either dehydrate or over hydrate (technically hyponatremia) and end up in the hospital.

Only through training will you toughen up the skin of the feet, build the proper muscle support mechanisms and understand your hydration needs.

But in answer to your question, yes a segment of the population can handle a half marathon with no additional training and make the 3:30 cut off.

 

[natale1980]

I asked because I couldn't believe it. I would NEVER try to do it without training. I freaked out because I had only trained 9 weeks for a 5k.

Great job to everyone who was able to do it.

-nat

 

[bunnyfoo]

My ex did the 1/2 back in 2009 with no training. He was an out of shape couch potato and I think the longest run he had done was 5K several months before. He finished but I don't think he was a happy camper. Partially because he tried to run instead of just walking.

I've also finished a half where the longest run I did was 10K. That was my first half and it didn't feel good at the
end because I knew that I could have done better.

Would I recommend doing a race with no training. Nope. Can it be done? Yes. Will you be happy with the results? Only you can answer that question

 

[WDWFAN9]

It's been done, but usually isn't pretty. Of course a lot depends on your age, your general fitness level, and your expectations. DS did a half with me when he was 19 (the course included part of his college campus). He didn't train at all, although he was playing intramural basketball at the time. He walked the half with me and did just fine, no problems at all. DH walked his very first half with me a couple of months later. He was, um, a little bit older and not quite as active as DS. He also finished in the timelimit with no problems, but....he was sore for several days after - he really, really felt it. So, while it can be done I wouldn't count on it.

 

[natale1980]

All this really does is make me more confident that I can finish since I'll be training for the next 6 months. I just never thought it was possible.

-nat

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

I have done it It is not recommended though - I actually remember sitting on a port-o-let at mile 9 (or somewhere around there) and thinking, "I can't get up!" I hurt like hell for a good long while - now I always train properly

Kirsty

 

[Jusacuz]

Although not recommended, I've finished 4 half marathons with no real training. I always say I will be good and train, but never do. My "fastest" was 3:22 or something like that. I am not happy with that time, but know I'll never get faster until I do the work required beforehand. After a couple I felt like I wouldn't survive, but after a couple I've felt fine, it just depended on how I felt going into it.
So of course it can be done, it's just not the best way.
I have a half in 18 days and have probably run more this summer than ever before, but I still haven't trained correctly and my time will reflect that.

 

[KeenHo]

I am one of the notable exceptions to the rule (if there is one). I attended grad school (University of Delaware) working towards an MBA full-time and worked part-time during the Fall 2006-Spring 2008 time frame. I signed up to run Goofy in Jan 2007 and Jan 2008.

I had basically no training leading up to December 14th (after finals) in December 2007 and 2008. However, I ran and finished both Goofy races. I literally had a little over two weeks to get ready, mentally and physically.

2007: Half = 2:26 Full = 6:12
2008: Half = 2:24 Full = 5:18

In 2007's marathon I ran with a special friend that suffered from asthma and didn't have his inhaler. We ended up walking almost the entire second half of the race.

I wouldn't recommend running any long distance race, let alone a Goofy, with little or no training. However, I did it. Now that I'm out of school, I am training once again!

Howard

 

[Theta]

Howard, that was 2007? Just seems like yesterday. The years fly by don't they?

 

[KeenHo]

Howard, that was 2007? Just seems like yesterday. The years fly by don't they?

Colleen~ They surely do! At some point the Goofy lure will wane and I'll stick with the Marathon and volunteer for the Half like I did last year. However for this year, I'm Goofy yet again.

 

[eyor44]

A friend did the 1/2 with me this past January. She did not train near as much as I did and while she did finish (and got a medal) she was done for the rest of the weekend. I had to leave her about 1/2 way through (she kept wanting to stop) and she almost got swept at mile 8.

The next day we planned to spend at MK, didn't make rope drop, arrived about 10:00am and by 6:00pm she was done and went back to the room after dinner. While I stayed at MK until 10:30pm. I felt great, but she didn't.

 

[ahoff]

I did not do the training that seems to be recommended, and that most seem to do, building up a mileage base. The longest run I did before the Half was the ToT 13K, and one 10K in November. The rest of my running was mostly 3 miles two to three times a week. I do bike every day, so there is an aerobic base. Just not a high mileage schedule. But I agree you need some training, as some said, just to build up your feet.