Gradually build up to it. Pay close attention to your health on all fronts. Keep a well charged cell phone with you in case of trouble. STAY HYDRATED! Good luck.

Northwind.

That is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  A year ago I signed up for the "Learn to Run" course at our local running room after a prolonged running hiatus.  I will be celebrating the one year anniversary of that learn to run experience by running (and walking for some of it...we do 10 min run, 1 min walk) my first half marathon.  Last year I was an out of shape stay-at-home mom.  While I am by no means a lean mean marathon running machine, I am in much better shape.  I have also made some great running friends, participated in some super fun races (including a trail run which included running trhough two streams and one knee deep mup pit!) and find I feel better generally.  Running really helps me clear my head and manage my stress.   I would totally encourage you to pursue this goal and I think it is fantastic you are considering it.

I found that joining a group really helped me stay motivated.  If you are near a Running Room location I would encourage you to look at their clinics.  They have power walking, half marathon training (walking) and an assortment of running clinics.  All running rooms have free group sessions on Wed and Sunday morning in addition to the formal clinics.  The formal clinics do have a cost but they are worth considering.  They all start with a 30 minute talk on injury prevention, stretching, choosing the right shoe etc which I found helpful. 

However the real plus, for me, was the group.  I have made some good friends.  A group of three of us meet every Sat. for our long run and are running the half marathon together.  We encourage each other and keep each other "honest", acccountable and motivated. It's really hard to skip that long run when you know two people are waiting for you.  The social aspect to the group is also really nice.  For a stay-at-home mom like me the adult conversation is nice. I know the running room in our area has organized walking groups in addition to running groups so perhaps explore that!

There are also some really good training books that have training programs laid out for you.  This makes sure you gradually increase your distance which goes a long way in preventing injuries.  Most running stores have a collection of books, some geared for runners, some for walkers.  I would imagine your library would also have a collection.  There are also training programs and decent resources on-line for free.  Just make sure it is from a reputable site.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!  Once you master the half there are all sorts of fun half marathons that you can walk.  Just this past weekend we were talking about perhaps have the Great Wall of China marathon as our dream marathon!!!  Disney has one that looks fun as well...all through the park!

I think this is awesome, Northwind.  I recently became a runner when I took a learn to run program in the spring (not through Running Room).

A half marathon is also my goal - though I haven't really been looking for one to strive for yet.  My advice would be to sign up for 2K, 5K, 10K races as you work up to your goal speed and distance.  I have had so much fun at these smaller events this summer and it's a great way to get a feel for what the atmosphere will be like and how your emotions/adrenaline will influence your performance.

Good luck and have fun!

P.S.

I've also done 2 1/2 marathons.

You can google something like "half marathon training schedules" (running or walking) and there should be a program.  It will provide gradual increases. 

I am in the midst of a half marathon (running) training program right now with a goal of being half marathon ready by Oct.  We are presently increasing from 12-14 km for our long runs on the weekend.  We do shorter runs during the week...usually between 4-7 km.

 Hmmm this Triathlon thing must be 'going around'.  My husband recently announced that he and his brother are going to train for the Hawaii half tri next year.   Which is fine but for the financial aspect.  His brother is a pilot for a commercial airline.   He makes plenty of money and can fly anywhere his airline goes for next to nothing. SO unless  little brother is going to help pay for this venture in a big way, I don't see how it's going to happen. OH and not to mention shoes, bike, wetsuit, mega calories needed, and so on.

Having said that, I think it is a great goal to have.  I am doing my husband's research for him re: equipment and stuff and finding it fascinating.   It can benefit a person on so many levels.   I wish you all the best in a very worthy venture.  

 my thoughts exactly. However Brother in Law lives in Calgary and we are in the Southern Interior of BC. Hubby needs to find a local mentor.  There are running and Tri Clubs around. Great information and support to be had there. Of course here is also the added membership fees and workshop fees....:P

Hiliary.  Did I hear you were moving back to Ont?  Perhaps we will meet at a race!

Tabitha.  I run my first half in Oct (Niagara Int....apparently flat to slightly downhill...good for a virgin halfer!).  Any words of wisdom????

DaisyJane - it's true!  I sent you a wondermail.

Words of wisdom for Daisy Jane-HAve fun! Really ! having fun is more important to me than finshing in a certain time!

Don't try anything new race day-no new shoes-no new drinks or supplements

I drink 1/2 gatorade 1/2 water at waterstations and carry sports beans or a vanilla gel if needed.

The hardest part is starting!

Walking steps as needed are allowed!

Talk to fellow runners and enjoy yourself!

and put a special person or 2 at the finish line to spur you that extra bit!

Northwind ... you have come so far and I admire your goal, that is awesome!

Hi Northwind - thought I was doing OK this summer til I slipped on a wet floor and tore some muscles in my thigh! They are healing, but slowly .... but as they say, better days ahead!

sounds excellent, Northwind!

sounds un-excellent, pommum!

I took up running after I sobered up 28 years ago. I also took up weight training. I ran several 10K races and vasaloppets (x/c skiing).

I now have prosthetic knees.

As my knees started crunching (especially on stairs) I took it to my doctor. He said it  was "Jogger's Knee" (chrondomalaccia patella). He told me to do exercises to build up my quadraceps. No amount of persuasion would convince him to explore further. Every other medical person said the same thing. After a half marathon in Stratford where I finished last, my left knee was never the same. They deteriorated rapidly and I could no longer exercise. Soon I couldn't walk either.

The real problem was the breaking down and wearing out of the cartilage that cushioned and lubricated the joint. high fevers in my youth probably contributed to this. The exercise made it worse.

If you hear crunching or crackling of any joint, or pain in the joint, don't be put off or pooh-poohed. Get them X-rayed.

Now I'm back to flabby.

My running group is starting to focus on increasing our long runs on the weekend in anticipation of our half marathon run at the end of Oct.  Our goal is to be running about 18 km (for a long run) at the end of Sept. 

So far.  So good.

When a half was first suggested to me I was only comfortably running about 5km.  21km seemed like an insurmountable goal.  But I am finding if you stick to the method of gradual increase it starts becoming quite realistic.  10 km now seems like a comfortable saturday morning run and 21 km, while not a peice of cake, seems quite do-able.

I have no doubt you can do it NW.

Glad to hear you runners/walkers are keeping at it.

The secret to a godd 1/2 Daisy jane is to be consistent with your training and get it in!

Northwind-sounds like flabby is being replaced with fit!

I'm not running regularly at the moment but did a 25k bike on Sunday and have started a yoga class 1x week. Need to get on track with all the fall busyness!