lets get it started

well I appear to be the first person to use this thread. I've just registered my place and it's my first half marathon. I'm so psyched, it'd be odd to anyone but another runner. anyone else excited about it? anyone done it before? what's the route like? Is it flat, hilly? anyone doing it for the first time like me?

i did it first time last year. it's mostly flat, just a couple of short hills.  it was my first ever half and i trained properly for it - ran 4 times a week for 5 months, and only missed 6 scheduled runs, it was worth it 'cos the time went really quickly and i finished in 2.11.  have just entered for next year so yeh, i'm pretty psyched too.  good luck!

This will also be my first half-marathon - I registered for it before I found out I was lucky enough to get a place in the VLM but it looks to fit in nicely as its 5 weeks before.  I did the ASICS 10k as my first ever event so have lots of work ahead to make the distance!

Also my first - just signed up and am very new to running, so lots of work to do!  A bit scared!

Done this a few times now - worst bit is probably that couple of miles along the A33 at the end - you can see the Madejski Stadium but it just doesn't seems to get any nearer, and then when you do reach the roundabout where you can turn off to it ... theres a little loop to do first! but you do get a lot of support on the way round, and a lately crowds have been throwing jelly babies round about 9 miles

There are runs from the Reading branch of Sweatshop (by the Station) on Monday evenings, about 6 miles, and a company called Kinetic Ideas (see RHM website and follow links for details) runs a few training work shops and a Training Club (you'll have to pay for these though)

I've just signed up for the half marathon too!  Never done one before and haven't run for about 12 years, so wondering slightly whether this was the thing to do...

Heard on the radio this morning that the route may be changed slightly:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/berkshire/8516165.stm

(as it stands the route goes through the gate). Nothing on official race site yet, but might want to keep an eye on it for news

Jelly Babies?! That sounds goooood :)

Yep, I would definitely do a race if it involved Jelly Babies being thrown at me!

Love those little things! yummy. i ate them before i did a 5k and i had loads of energy!

My first half marathon too. Just registered. I started running last year (40 years after the last time I ran anywhere  - school x-country - I hated it!). I did a 10km in March, then the Gt South Run (10 miles) in Portsmouth last month. That was nice and flat - not sure about the hills in this one... I reckon 2h15m is a good target.

Any advice?

I think any race is a tough race. You need to train using the best gear. DON'T skimp on the shoes or socks. I am not kidding. Do you want missing toenails? You can get shoes and socks online, and sent to your house. I think Footwear Etc. has some decent ones, as do other sites I'm sure you've seen advertised.

My 2nd Half Marathon, did my 1st in Oct last year 2011, 2:00:17, Cardiff, can't wait for this my 2nd and the next four i'm planning for the rest of the year 2012. 

Congratulations on your time, what other races are yo entering? You sound like you have a busy year ahead