How to Run Your First Half Marathon When You're Overweight

I am so excited to bring you guys this long awaited 3-part series. I tell you exactly how to run your first half marathon from the ground up. This video is part 1, where we address your mental state and how to scrap the 'spreadsheet' training plan that never works. In part 2, I will break down what your exact training plan should look like, directed at those with no experience in fitness and anyone looking to follow through on a challenge.

[Shevock]

Important video. I say (add) this as an obese runner who is 47 years old and just finished my first marathon last month; One benefit to being overweight is better bone density. I know it's counterintuitive but one of my biggest strengths is not getting injured which I attribute to, in part, my weight. Two recommendations I'd make are, go slower than you think you can and take complete rest days. I ran my marathon on three days of running, one of bicycling and one strength each week. It worked for me.

[pavel]

I trained for my first half marathon for 398 days. I remember the very first training - intervals of 5 minutes of running and 2 minutes of walking. I had to switch them to 2 minutes of running and 5 minutes of walking. Even so, my lungs burned and I felt like throwing up. :-D It was probably the most challenging year I've ever experienced, but I gained so many great experiences that it was a completely different year in my life. When I think about it, the other years are like each other. In a normal year - maybe I'll remember a vacation or Christmas. Here I seem to remember almost every day. Be sure to try it! At the beginning I weighed 122 kg, was out of breath and it hurt to even walk down the stairs. I lost 18 kg and ran a half marathon in a completely different body!

[kathrinivanovic]

Best decision I made was decouple training and nutrition. I hired a trail running coach and also hired an endurance dietitian (who also took over my obesity dietetic care). I also started with a 5k, then moved to a 10k. I did four 10ks. I didn't do my first trail half marathon until today....almost a year later.

[KeepFocus]

Hi Holly. Love this video. Very informative and motivational. What you are sharing makes sense to me. I weighed 220lbs at the start of the year stuck to the plan and I am down to 187lbs running my 4th half marathon this weekend. The goal is to finish and having fun. Anything above this goal is more motivation for me to keep going.

[deetee]

Thank you so much for this video. I'm overweight and am so careful with what i eat, it's just zero exercise with me and weight gain after a motorbike accident 5 years ago. I've spent 20years drinking, smoking and the last 5 just sitting and I've stopped ALL vices a couple of months ago. im trying to run a mile a day which kills me each day. I'm doing it though, with a 5k (3mile) parkrun on Saturdays. I hurt myself last time and it's taking 2 weeks so far to recover and im beating myself up. Your video had shown me it's all cool. I can chill and actually take in where i am each moment and embrace the entire new life in aiming for.
Thank you so much. I've subbed and can't wait to hear more from you.
You're a real inspiration!
Love from England ❤❤

[rgh]

Holly preach it! You have given this some thought and your experience and knowledge have provided a true understanding of what many go through. As a runner who has lost 80 pounds over the last year, I'm here to tell anyone who will listen that it is possible to improve yourself physically and mentally. It will not happen on day 1 or 2 however, Day 1 and day 2 are crucial to any future improvements. Since my weight loss, I have run in many local races and have come in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for my age group. It can be done!! I look forward to your coming videos for continued motivation and insight, Stay Hard!

[ashes]

Amazing video again! So encouraging and a lot of what you talked about are things I always forget. I become to unrealistic with my workouts when I should be more optimistic and solution based. So good!!

[Mollyl]

Thanks holly you’re the best. I’m 6ft 200 lbs I’ve run two half’s at this size training for my first full next year. Put in the work and it gets easier that’s my best advice

[alicerenieri]

I REALLY love your videos! You are a special person Holly

[hebabassel]

This was super helpful and very very much what I needed! I love how you truly offered something realistic !! And how you get us. Thank you ❤

[SKE]

I'm pretty sure I watched this when you posted it originally, but damn I needed to hear this today. Thank you. So practical and helpful

[UltraRunOne]

love your videos. i started running right before covid. i tend to be a little more solid/musclar. I was a swimmer in H.S. so not fast but I like to run, trail run. your commentary resonates with me even though i'm not your target demo.

[derkiathomas]

Currently training for my first 5k and this was a great mindset adjustment 🙏🏾

[terrisserose]

I walked an hour today
2023 is going to be my year to run a half marathon

[jackiebricker]

Just finished my 4th 20 minute walk, unfortunately wasn't 4 days in a row. As I normally do I pushed myself on day 2 and my knees and ankles were so sore and swollen for a couple of days. Day 3 I took it easier and decided best to rest yesterday. I'm trying to eat more fish so I went out today and bought some Arctic Char and ordered some barramundi 😋

[maldo]

Thanks for that information. I've done two half marathons. One was virtual, l was very sore, and a real one after running a 5K and a 10K without being sore. Too bad I can't do that now.

[SBoots]

Excellent video. I would consider myself to be very fit and advanced in fitness, albeit I am an older athlete. At times I need these little pep talks to stay motivated. One thing I know is do not let comparison take away your happiness so where anybody is in the journey of fitness just stay with it. You will get there. Cheers

[yinhoukhor]

Yes it's a very common MYTH that you can't be fit if you're of a heavier body type!

I'm of that body type and have always engaged in long distance running!

It's all about

[jessicaharrison]

I injured myself which prevented me from running, and I have had a running addiction for 15 years, so that has been hard. While I was working on building myself up again, I lost my dog (who was my old running buddy) and got a puppy who is not ready to start training with me yet, but still needs lots of walks. Meanwhile, I realized that my running addiction was also masking an eating disorder (I have PCOS, so even at my lowest weight where I was running 20 miles a week, doing three strength sessions a week, and eating an average of 1300 calories a day I wasn't underweight), and so trying to actually feed myself along with not being able to run as much has had me putting on about 20 pounds. The snowball effect kicked my butt.

[FatRaccoon-ehig]

Hello, new to your channel. Great video and have you got any tips for fueling during half marathons? I get too hungry anything past 15k distance. What food items would you recommend? Also I've been drinking prime during long runs and I feel like it's a great drink but is it actually? And I'm aiming for a sub 20 min 5k time and I do a half marathon usually once a week to build up that stamina a lot. Thing is, I'm injured and recovering :(