fiona
going for my first half marathon..chippenham.very excited. training 4 times a week varying from 4-11miles but a bit of of a wimp where hills are concerned!! Really hopefull for a good beginners time. see you all there

Hannah
I signed up to do the Run to the beat half marathon in October 2008. According to BUPAs website, if you are able to run 3 miles, 3 times a week comfortably, then a 12 week training programme to get you to 13.1 miles is fine. I'm half way through week 3 and have not had to run over 4 miles yet. The next two weeks will be the toughest as I'll do 5 miles this Sunday and 7 miles the following one-argh! Remember to stay motivated and definately stick the schedule!

Becky
Dreading this years Bristol half! Cant wait to cross that line!

Kunal Bandekar
I started running a couple months ago. I can easily run 2-3 km but I was aiming for mini marathon at first. I did not beleive in myself that I can also run. One of my cousins beleived in me. He runs marathon in US and he told me that we could do it. So my first run was for 8 km, and I did it. From that day I am going by myself. My target is for half marathon right now. I just completed 14 km. Its difficult to focus daily or keep training daily allone. I go for aerobics and then jog a little everyday for the big shot during the weekend's.

corinne
can any one give me advice on starting training for the great north run first timer and old timer to marathans

Marc Catford
After running last years race with a time of 1.38 i went on to run the stroud half and knock a minute off my time. This was achieved not by running more in training but developing core strength. a couple of situps every other day will improve core strength and this in turn will benefit your run. so this year im hoping for a 1.36 (wishful) but have a goal in mind before you start and you will get there. good luck and best wishes to one and all

Angela
I am going to be 50 in August and have been training for the HM for about 2 months. I can run comfortably up to 5 miles now and I have discovered that it is so much easier to train in the morning rather than the evening. I'm not bothered about times at the moment maybe that will come later. I am determined to do this as my husband says I probably won't do it because I'm not determined enough.I'll show him!!!!!!!!!!!!

michelle kennedy
I've just started running to build up my fitness levels after dealing with cancer last summer. I have had quite a lot of problems with my neck and shoulder but the running is really helping to restore my self esteem and body image. It is also helping me get better use of my arm. I would encourage anyone who feels tired or run down or just old (!) to have a go very gently as my energy levels have picked up enourmously and my mood has really changed for the better. At the moment I can do about 2 miles in about 15 mins 3 times a week (not sure if that's good or bad ) but am hoping to do a 6 kilometre run in two weeks time and then a 10k run in the summer.

Erica
Have (perhaps foolishly) just signed up to do the half marathon in october. I am thinking that, despite all the good advice from fellow half marathoners on this website, the only way that I will complete 13 miles will be on rollerskates. Does anyone know whether this is permitted in the rules? I have also invested in a long pole that I have attached to my head with a donut dangling inches from my nose. This inspires me to run faster. I recommend it. Good luck fellow marathoners and marathonettes. I will be the one on rollerskates with a donut on a string. Feel free to push me along on the day.

Lucy
I have decided to enter myself into the Bath Half Marathon 2006!which is crazy for me as im usually a sprinter! however it is something i have always wanted to do and am looking forward to the challenge!Im going to start building my aerobic training up now as im obvioulsy used to training anaerobically! If anyone has any advice or ideas please let me no cause im crappin myself lol! Even though its a year away

Paul Llewellyn
I started taking running seriously about three months ago. I can now run 3 miles in 25mins and have entered the Watford HM in Feb. My goal is a 2hr finish which I think is realistic. Then I aim to enter the Great North Run and beat my Watford HM time. I train 5-6 lunchtimes per week and do about 5-7km. I have just started to run 10km on a Sat and hopefully will increse this to x2-3 10km per week. The main objective however is to finish and with this being my first HM I do not feel under any pressure. Wish me luck!

Michelle
Im at the moment contemplating runnning a half marathan, I have a week ankle after tearing the ligaments 4 months back so unsure if it would be a good or bad idea if anyone else has done simliar in the past and gone on to train and achieve there goal I would love to know

Nigel Workman
Got issued a challenge by brother in law (he of the 1hr 30mins half marathon). Took on his challenge. Have lost 5 stone in weight and am looking forward to the race. Anything under 2hrs 30 will be an achievement, couldn't run across the road before. Good shoes are a must - never paid this much for shoes of any description. Just finished a fortnight 'hot climate' training @ 06.00hrs in Majorca - everyone one else was still in bed, locals knew I was English. Raisede nearly £500 for Cystic Fibrosis. Good Luck to all

Jo
Im running the Bristol HM, this will be my first road race. Watching the London Marathon really inspired me this year - I try and run every other day with a long run on the weekends. I can run seven miles, eight is hard but just achievable! I am running for Tiny Lives Campaign. I am looking forward to the day, althou very nervous as I am running on my own. My husband completed the Bristol Marathon last year and finished in just under 3 hours - with no training! so my wishes are that I hope I can finish with a smile, in a semi decent time and to raise loads of money for the Tiny Lives Campaign!

Li Lin
I walked/jogged/ran the Race for Life in May with little training - this inspired me to do the Bristol Half. I did some fun run/road races over '98 to '00 and stopped due to a knee condition. I'm doing this race, my longest ever distance, because I know I can, there are alot of less physically-abled people who can't, and I want to enjoy the feeling of running with a massive crowd... yes, you know the feeling! My training is going well and I'm enjoying it. When I'm not running, I'm cycling or climbing. I've even cycled the course twice so I get a good mental picture. My priority over the next few weeks is to continue the good work, avoid injury, increase my flexibility, eat and live well and stay happy! Enjoy the training, enjoy the race!

Darren Ward
not really looking forward to doing this. Going to the gym tonight, currently can run 1.5 miles, hoping the momentum I build up over that amount of time will carry me to the finish. I have got plenty of vaseline at home so chaffing hopefully wont be a problem.

Steve R
I ran the Bristol half last year, and it is a wonderful feeling reaching teh finishing line... If you want a good cause to support, BLINC (Bristol Link with Nicaragua) is raising money this time for Bristol's twin town in Nicaragua, Puerto Morazan, supporting a local health initiative to enable kids to teach each other about primary health issues..contact on http://www.bristol-city.gov.uk/twin/morazanEvents.html

Anthony
Did the Frampton-on-Seven 10k last night (12 July)in 47:00. Looking forward to the next Towpath race to see if I can dip under that.

Darren Ward
This will be my first marathon (I am too young to remember when they changed their name to snickers, but I'm sure they are just as tasty now). I thought doing the 13 miles would be a good way to meet some ladies and am progressing rather well on the stamina front, I have bought some new shorts and some new trainers and have managed 0.8 of a mile on the running machine. Its hard to find the motivation most nights as I live in a shared house with a bunch of young professionals who tempt me with the "quick pint and a bite to eat up the local" line which usually culminates in me falling back home 5 hours after with a bucket of chicken pieces(I won't divulge where!!)

Darren Ward
My training regime consists of consuming my considerable body-weight in cheap lager every day for breakfast, then move on to a hearty meal of Fray-Bentos pies, with chips and lard. For my evening training, I favour pie and mash, and move onto drinking shorts for the night. My secret plan for the run is to have another runner in front of me with a pie in one hand and a four-pack of white-lightning in the other, this should ensure motivation to keep up my pace.

Jason Revill
After doing the Bristol half last year i have now done several races since including the London marathon.Cant wait to do it again this year and looking to knock 5 mins off of last years time of 1hr 30. My advice to anyone just starting out is to have fun(dont wear a watch all the time)and never increase your mileage by more than 10 per cent of the previous week.Always liston to your body,have a rest day if your body is tired.Dont overtrain and burn yourself out.

Bianca
After many years of saying i'll do it next time, on 12th May 04 & no idea of my level of fitness, i finally said its now of never! (It seemed a good idea at the time!!). I to sit in front of a pc all day, so I now walk into work every day and run home(well its more of a jog than a run).But 1 week after signing up, i can run 2 miles in 20 mins but really have no idea if this is any good or not. This will be my first marathon and i keep having visions that everyone will have packed up and gone home before i finish!! - thats all the motivation i need to keep me going!!!!!

Caroline
Started training for Half Marathon last April and finished in good time in September, what a fantastic sense of achievement, go on even you can do it, did Bath HM this year but atmoshpere not a patch on Bristol. Properly fitting running shoes a must and stay well hydrated. When you cross that line it's like everyone came just to cheer you, FANTASTIC feeling. I never took my medal off for 24 hours!!!!!

Lyndsay
Have just started training for the half-marathon this year.I am not an expert but do a few races every year in the summer. My advice is to keep at it. Every small distance you clock up training adds together until your body will run for a long time with no problem. Good luck to everyone

Helen
Sitting here in the afterglow of the Glasgow 10k yesterday, I now know why I do it. It's the feeling of achivement! The 10k was one of my milestones on the way to the Bristol half marathon. I have another 10k to do in July, which is a hilly one and a hill race in August (which for some reason best known to the organisers is called a fun run!), so by the time I get to Bristol I'll be well up for it. So best tip is definitely to set some targets to aim for. Also get good socks and shoes, vary your running routes and surfaces and ladies - protect those assets and get a decent sports bra!

Deeque
I have a life-threatenig illness, and I am quite a sports orientated person. As one of my goal, I have decided to jog the half-marathon. My aspiration has left me feeling energised and I look forward to completing this task even if I am the last person to cross the line. My training is going slowly with a few walks a day and circuit training each week. Can't wait for that date.

claire
this is my first road event. normally like x counrty. am currently at 7-8 miles now but not running as regulary as i probably should but looking forward to a great event and raising lots of dosh for my charity antony nolan trust for leukaemia. happy training everyone!!!!!!!!

Andy D
If your off on your holidays what better way to explore than going for a run. I've just come back from Amsterdam where I ran 11.5 miles down and back the Amstel River. If anyone is going this summer try it, its a great escape from the normal shops and canals and coffee shops which you'll be treading over for the rest of your stay. The paths are great and the scenery brilliant. If you've got it in you, you can run all the way to Ouderkerk an der Amstel about 6 miles south of the city, cross the bridge and come back the other side. Once you've done your holiday run you can eat and drink all you like. Similarly in Brizzle, don't forget the towpath running from Ashton Court under the bridge to Pill for a decent out and back run.

Amy and Alice
were both teenagers and were running th marathon for a laugh and to raise money but also for the medal at paise at the other end !

Gemma
I'm running my first marathon this year. For the first couple of weeks, it was SO hard but I did 5 miles for the first time last week. It's great once you realise that you do actually improve! I'm running with a group of 4 other girls and we've found that circuit training once a week helps for all round fitness and gives some variation. Please do say if you'd like some help supporting a worthy charity. We're not yet decided on which charity to raise money for but feel very inspired by how much the London marathon raised. It somehow makes the pain worthwhile!

Tony
If you sit in front of a PC all day (as I do) & can't face training in the evening, I suggest taking your kit to work and going out for a run in your lunchtime.

Martin, Long Ashton
Started training for health reasons earlier this year, and am already seeing and feeling the benefits - can run 3 miles in less than 30 minutes, so am now 'pondering' on entering the half marathon!! A little scared about the committment, but encouraged to see the London marathon on TV last week. Although it can be very hard work, I actually enjoy the feeling. So...., I suppose I had better sign up and get back on the road!

Andy D
I started running a couple months ago and entered the marathon to keep me motivated-now I'm hooked, hopefully do the full London marathon next year. If you have the time, do something on your days off from running to continue to build your base fitness. Rowing is probably the best all round low impact workout, but get someone at the gym to show you the proper technique. Strength training is important too and it greatly increases your metabalism and you'll lose weight faster than running alone. Don't just run, you'll get bored or hurt yourself. If you really don't fancy running today, then do something else- keeps your motivation up for next time and you won't feel as guilty for missing a session. I've found a running magazine (Runners World) particularly helpful in everything from choosing trainers, preventing injurys, training, right through to diet. It actually caters incredibly well for beginners, its not for athletes. Don't subscribe straightaway, just pick up a couple or borrow from friends as a lot of the info is mostly rehashed from previous issues.

Phil
I have an urge to start running now. But I'm too ill at the moment, so I guess it'll have to wait. I've never ran in the half marathon before, but I think I can do it.

James @ Durham
Went out for my second run today and ran very slowly. I'm trying to get round my circuit with a combination of walking and running so I don't get to annoyed with my lack of speed. It was better than my first run on Monday when I stopped at my friends room half way round for a can of lemon fanta.

Lauryn
Also sat in front of a PC day in day out. This will be my 1st half-marathon with my partner and Im dreading it! Four weeks into our "training" and we've managed to rack up a disapointing distance of 2 miles, our longest distance yet... Id recommend a decent pair of running shoes and a decent warm-up and cool down stretch routine. At the moment the desire to collapse and watch the telly is stronger than the will to exercise...I'll do it tho, even if it kills me (and it probably will too!) ;o)

Mark Wilcox
Like Bryony and Chris, I spend my days sat in front of a PC - the only exercise belong to make coffee! I've run the Bristol half for the past 6 years to give a focus to my fitness training - a couple of tips that I have to pass on:- 1. Invest in a decent pair of running shoes (not any old trainers). They need to be a half size up from your normal shoe size - if you want to avoid "black toes" and losing your toe nails after the race (as I know from painful experience!). 2. Running shops sell specialist socks that have an inner liner - these stop the blisters that unless you have run for years you will get running 13 miles. 3. Vaseline. Men - use loads of this on your nipples before the start as bleeding nipples from friction burns from your shirt are not fun! 4. Have fun! Lasy year was a great day with the crowds around the route, bands and fancy dress for those brave enough. I enjoyed running on the Downs over the summer in training - there were always plenty of like minded souls to talk to.