About 4 years ago, my girlfriend found a Couch to 5K training program. It's for those who never ran before and slowly builds you up to run a 5K. We both started and complete the program and I've been running ever since. I ran about a dozen organized 5Ks and have run maybe a half dozen 10K races. Last fall, some friends and I decided that we were going to sign up for the long island half marathon (which is in early May). At that point, I was running 5-6 miles three times a weeks so I figured I had 6 months training to build up endurance to run a half.
Then winter hit.
We had a pretty bad winter this year, and I prefer running outdoors. I just don't have the dedication to run when there is snow on the ground. When th weather warmed up (March), I was starting from nothing. I tried ramping up quickly, but developed ankle problems. I had to shut it down for 3 weeks.
When may rolled around, I ran the 1/2, but it was GRUELING. My foot was killing me by the time I finished.
I'd like to run another 1/2 but I'm not going to make the same mistake again. The next time I'm going to sign up for one in the fall, so I have all spring/summer/fall to make sure I've prepared properly.