Half Marathon - Possible?!?!

I have in the past run 14k (1hr 26 slow but i made it!). This was well over a year ago and after a little time off (5 months!) I have been thinking about training for a half marathon.

It seems impossible but I do want to have a go. I have satred running  again recently but because i have had such a long break, it is a struggle and am managing a few ks (5 maybe) but my fitness is not great!

So, IF I had been considering a half in August, is this doo-able? The heat in Perth has been horrendous recently and I am not an early morning runner so (i know im making excuses) my training might be limited for a while until things cool down. Also, tigh calves do bother me and i am not a hill fan.

All things considered, is this something too ambitious? Should I just stick to lower mileage as a I know i will never be a fast runner. Any tips/recommendations/inspiration?!?!?! And where do I start with my training!?

Thanks!

Why do you need to be a fast runner? If you enjoy running that's all the motivation you need. If you're competitive then that will motivate you to speed up and you will have a totally different set of goals. August is very doable for a half marathon.

If you suffer tightness be careful to warm up thoroughly, stretch properly and then spend another 5 minutes re-warming before you run properly. Thorough stretching afterwards with (careful) calf-drops on a step are also good for releasing tension in the calves. A well wrapped ice pack helps to reduce any swelling if it's needed.

You could start with a walk, interspersed with some jogging and slowly increase from there... or you could print off a running plan as a guideline and stick with that?

Good luck :)

I am hopeless at running but I want to get better. Do you suggest jogging interspersed with walking to build stamina? :-)

The walk jogging will eventually help build stamina, any persistant exercise where you're slowly improving will help with that. I just find it more effective for getting my fitness up without straining anything or wanting to give up.

I find that if I don't 'scare' myself by saying 'I am going to run for an hour', and instead just say 'I'll do fifteen minutes', then I can last much longer!

of course you can do it i started running seriously  in october having done  a 10k last april just completed a half in january in 1 hour 52  just build it up bit by bit

Thankyou all for the words of encouragement. Decision made, im going to have a go!

I am currently running 2 or 3 times a week, approximately 6 or 7km. I am going to concentrate on building up my fitness over the next month or so before I start adidng in longer distances and some hills. I have downloaded the City to surf beginners half marathon training plan so will be using that as my guide.

Wish me luck!