I want to start making running a regular part of my workout. I want to train for a half marathon for next year, just for the fun of it.
I have never really trained to run before ( just treadmills so often) so I need advice on training, rest days, distance, shoes, clothing etc.

I would say that the temperature here ranges from 40-70 degrees year round. I would say the average temperature is between 55-60 in the past few months. It is windy and it sometimes rains.

Please give me everything you know about running, I am a total troll when it comes to running.

If you're really serious, get yourself a pair of good running shoes. Find a store that specializes in running shoes in your area (shouldn't be too hard since you live in a big city, right?). They'll watch you jog a bit, look at your feet, and be able to recommend the best shoe for you as an individual. As a warning, a good pair of running shoes will probably cost +$100 unless they're on sale.

For programs I would look into Couch-to-5k/10k/etc. programs. Those ones are pretty good for people who either don't workout regularly or don't run regularly (which as far as running goes can pretty much meant the same thing).

Some Useful Links:*

Training Programs & Training Methods: http://www.halhigdon.com/#half

GPS Distance Check and Map Routing: http://www.mapmyrun.com/

Pace Calculator: http://www.cararuns.org/Running/CARA...alculator.aspx

The Importance of Good Running Shoes: http://www.epodiatry.com/running-shoes.htm

Shoe Types: http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/shoefinder_description/1,,s6-240-325-329-0-0-0-0-0,00.html

Learn to Get The Right Running Shoe!: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-319--7726-0,00.html

More on Getting The Right Shoe: http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/fashion/articles/2009/04/16/make_sure_shoe_fits_then_run_with_it/

Nova Video that follows 13 people from sedentary lifestyle to running the Boston Marathon: http://www.hulu.com/watch/63726/nova-marathon-challenge

Plantar Fasciitis. What it is, and 3 ways to stretch it out!:http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/flexibilityexercises/a/footstretch.htm

Runner's Knee: http://www.drpribut.com/sports/spknees.html

Couch-To-5K: http://www.djsteveboy.com/1day25k.html

Headphones Perfect for Runners! http://www.crutchfield.com/p_143PMX80S/Sennheiser-PMX-80-Sport-II.html?tp=1000 & http://www.thisnext.com/item/273422F3/74535E4B/Nike-HJ020-Flight-Sport

*Not compiled by me, taken from another forum

Great advice and links from Slice! I've been running on and off for a couple of years and in about April/May last year, I started taking it more seriously when I started training for a half marathon. I'm currently training for a marathon.

Hal Higdon is an EXCELLENT resource for training plans and advice. The biggest advice I can give you is to start small and build it up - lots of people start trying to run too fast or too far and get disheartened when they can't keep it up. Don't expect to be going out and running 6 miles on your first go - couch to 5k is an excellent way to start and once you're comfortable running for half an hour at a time, you can start building on that and adding 10 minutes (roughly a mile) at a time.

Read around on the links Slice mentioned and Runners World - this where I learned pretty much everything about how to train and run - there's too much to say for just one thread. If you have any more specific questions, I'll do my best to answer them, but it's hard to know where to start!

^ Great advice before.

I am a long time runner and have run many marathon events. The RunnersWorld forum is something of a DDN for runners. You can get all kinds of great advice and they have a beginners section. Membership is free. Check it out! I also recommend any book by John "the Penguin" Bingham ('The Courage to Start' is great)and The Complete Book of W omens Running by Dagny Burrows. Both of those books will tell you more than everything you need to know and also provide training plans, tips, motivation and even stuff like what kind of running bra is best for you. Best of luck!

I second the women's running book; it really helped me.

Everyone gave good advice, but I just wanted to comment on the fact that you mentioned the weather in your town. You can run in any weather! I run year-round, and I've run in temperatures as cold as -30 and as hot as 35 (I'm talking Celsius here). You don't need as many layers as you might think for cold weather, and in hot weather you just need to be careful you don't dehydrate. You just need comfortable shorts that don't chafe, a good sports bra, a t-shirt or tank made of wicking material (cotton gets too heavy when wet with sweat), and comfortable socks. Add a baseball cap for when it rains (it's OK to get wet, you're already sweating anyway!). Add a lightweight nylon jacket for really wet or windy days. For colder days, a long-sleeve T and a pair of leggings would be good. None of this stuff has to be running-specific clothing; just whatever you've got for working out should be fine. The exception is shoes, of course -- get yourself fitted properly at a running store. Good luck!

I HIGHLY recommend the Couch-to-5k!! I did it a few years back when I decided that I needed to find an way to exercise while traveling. It starts out really slow and easy then builds from there. I was not in shape in the least when I started and I was able to do a 5k when I finished the program. Mind you, I following the program to a T.

Also, get a new pair of shoes that fit you well. You'd be amazed how fast you can kill a pair.

Best of luck!
K

I am currently doing the couch to 5K. Its great, it's hard, but I'm getting better.
I second all of Slice's information!