Anyone here planning to run in the Chevron marathon or Aramco half-marathon next January? A group of us at work are planning to sign up next week for the half-marathon and are starting to train...two of us are banded and two are not.

If anyone has experience with half-marathons, is 6 months enough to train for one? We're talking about 4 people who do NOT run, but occasionally exercise.

Just wondering if any other bandsters are out there planning to run in the marathon & willing to "mentor" us or even help us train?

THANKS!!:biggrin:

I've only walked a 1/2. I'm training to walk a full one in october.

If you google marathon training - there are a lot of programs for running or walking and many of the ones I've seen usually do work off of a 6 month training period - so you should be good. There are some programs that specifically say for beginners.

Good luck! I'm in awe of your ability to want to run it - that seems so amazing to me.

Well, my coworker and I signed up today. We were the first two in line this afternoon since they're limiting the number of entries...today's limit was 50..that went QUICK. Tomorrow it's open to the public and Im sure it'll sell out as fast as last year. 22,000 spots this year!

So - my coworker is in great shape..me, not so much. She has 184 days to kick my butt so we finish this thing. I'll definitely look online for training information. Hopefully over the next 6 months I'll accomplish 2 things: get to my goal weight and finish the half-marathon (by running across the finish line, not on a stretcher).

There is a running group in Houston called Houstonfit.com

I am signed up for the Houston full marathon and started training with them this past Sunday.

Pam726 -

Thank you for the link! I'll definitely check it out.

I started "running" this week. OMG..everything hurts. I bought the Nike SportBand and hopefully I can keep track of my progress that way. :thumbup:

Pam726 -

Thank you for the link! I'll definitely check it out.

I started "running" this week. OMG..everything hurts. I bought the Nike SportBand and hopefully I can keep track of my progress that way. :thumbup:

I promise it will get better! Just keep at it. I run about 4 times a week and sometimes I am an allstar and sometimes I walk more than I run. Just know that it takes time and everytime you go hit the pavement it is not going to be wonderful!

If you join Houston Fit, let me know. Would love to meet you and have a lap band running partner :thumbup:

How was the run last weekend? Are there a lot of people? Just wondering if its going to be like high school gym class. LOL..I am interested in joining, but wanted to ask you how it was first. Saturday morning - 6am - wow...thats torture...but running with others may be the motivation I need.

Does your port site hurt when running? Right now I have an abdominal support...thingy...its neoprene and looks like a girdle. LOL...but it helps! Without it, I can really feel the port site. Its not very noticeable under a tshirt though. its just HOT!

I'm still thinking it over - since its $120 - but I'm definitely interested. I'll letcha know by the end of the week.

Thanks again!!!

How was the run last weekend? Are there a lot of people? Just wondering if its going to be like high school gym class. LOL..I am interested in joining, but wanted to ask you how it was first. Saturday morning - 6am - wow...thats torture...but running with others may be the motivation I need.

Does your port site hurt when running? Right now I have an abdominal support...thingy...its neoprene and looks like a girdle. LOL...but it helps! Without it, I can really feel the port site. Its not very noticeable under a tshirt though. its just HOT!

I'm still thinking it over - since its $120 - but I'm definitely interested. I'll letcha know by the end of the week.

Thanks again!!!

The run was great! We did 3 miles and this coming Saturday we will do 4 miles.

The thing I love about the group is that you are running with people at your own pace. You are not running with an elite runner and feeling like a failure. My BF runs at a crazy fast pace and it is very hard for me to run with him (even when he goes slow). I feel uncomfortable with that but I have never felt uncomfortable running with the group.

I am in the red group. We are anyone running 10 minute miles or slower. They also subdivide the groups further.

Red Fast: 10-11.5 min miles

Red Medium: 11.5-12.5 min miles

Red Slow: 12.5 and more min miles

Then there is also the 5/1 Red Group. This group runs for 5 minutes and walks for 1 minute. This is the strategy that I did to complete my first half marathon and it worked great! So there is plenty of options for you and you will never feel out of place.

I know it seems weird to pay to run, but the knowledge that these people have and then the core exercises after the run are so worth it!

I do not have any issues with my port. I am having issues and thinking that my band might have possibly slipped or something so I am on straight liquids until I can get into my doctor on the 4th, but it is all good!

The good thing about early meetings is that it is not to hot. It is still hot but not boiling yet!

Pam -

Thank you again. Great group of people!! I wasnt the biggest OR slowest! YAY! I know I wouldve never run that long by myself...thank you again for letting me know about the group!

No problem! I am glad you enjoyed it :-)