Well, I did it!  I signed up for the Las Vegas Rock and Roll Half Marathon in December...just to let all of you know...I just started running a couple of months ago...walk/ran a 5K and hurt both of my knees, so I'm just now getting back into it...but, I'm am determined to do this...I turned 50 this year, and my hubby runs all the time...and we're meeting my daughter and son in law there as well...so, I'd love some advice!

First, how can I accurately find a way of knowing how far I am running?  I have a pedometer, but it is extremely inconsistent...I'd love to hear what others use to gauge how far they are running...

Next ~ I'd love any other advice for training for this half marathon...I'm thinking it will be a walk/run, as I'm not sure I'll ever be able to run 13 miles...but who knows?  I might just surprise myself...if anyone else has undertaken this...going from a complete, never been a runner in my life to a half marathoner ~ at my age ~ talk to me!

Finally, I love, love, love this site!  I enjoy the articles, the energy, just everything about it makes me so pumped...so ~ thank you!

Looking forward to hearing from you...and thanks again...denise

• Currently 5.0/5 Stars.

Tags: training, women's running, motivation, marathon training, running gear, Las Vegas Half Marathon, half marathon, iPod, newbie, running routes, gear, spirit

Excellent progress! I know, isn't it amazing to look back and remember what you thought was so impossible is now a reality! That's one of the reasons its a good idea to keep up your training log - and espeically if you make comments about how you are feeling during your day's runs. Looking back and connecting with how hard your initial goals seemed is such a great way to miantain motivation. Oh BTW, if you log your runs here on Traxee, there is also a simply way to log the distance of your runs in Google maps and save your routes in your log. Just follow the on-screen instructions. Posted by: bmoore on Oct 31, 2010 at 08:19 PM

How fun to re-read my post that on Sept 4 I had run 10 min non stop ~ I'm not up to 40 minutes ~ YAY! There's no stopping me now!!! thanks for all of the comments!! Posted by: deniset524 on Oct 29, 2010 at 10:03 PM

Ok, I looked it up for you. usatf.org then click on Americas running routes, then creat a route. It will tell you how many miles your route is and it is pretty close. Posted by: notsogirlygirl on Sep 10, 2010 at 03:30 AM

My friend and I are doing that same run. Best of luck to you! track and field usa is a great way to see how far you ran. Look it up on line if you can't find it let me know I will send the address. Posted by: notsogirlygirl on Sep 10, 2010 at 03:21 AM

Cheap AND good! An excellent combination! Posted by: bmoore on Sep 06, 2010 at 12:27 PM

You're welcome, bmoore. Apparently, it's a cheapy but a goody. LOL Posted by: pdancosse on Sep 06, 2010 at 11:12 AM

Oooh - Sportline is good, eh? That's great to know since the GPS thing is SO incredibly expensive. Here's a link if anyone wants to check it out: http://www.sportline.com/category.php?cat=2. Thanks for the tip P! Posted by: bmoore on Sep 06, 2010 at 09:38 AM

I have a Sportline pedometer that is always right on unless the battery is low. I've clocked my route with my truck to make sure it's accurate. Posted by: pdancosse on Sep 06, 2010 at 06:34 AM

Yay Denise! That is so awesome. I remember so well that first time I ran 10 full minutes without stopping. It's the first (big) step. Go Grrl! Posted by: bmoore on Sep 05, 2010 at 11:00 PM

My running is going great!! Tonight, I ran with my IPod with a Podcast about running...and I ran 10 minutes straight, followed by a 4 minute walk, then another 10 minutes, and a 4 minute walk...I have NEVER run 10 minutes non-stop...the most I have gone before has been 5 minutes...so, I am stoked! I did make sure to stretch, and did a 10 minute pre/post walk...I am really enjoying this!!! Thanks to those that responded...and good luck to all of us!! Posted by: deniset524 on Sep 04, 2010 at 08:12 PM

YAY for you! Sounds like fun! I signed up for a half marathhon in Dec as well, but mine is in Memphis, for St. Judes. I am in training as well, so I have no real advice. I haven't ran a 5K, yet, but I can do the distance should one come up :) Just keep it up, go slow and don't over do it! I'll have to watch this post, I am having probs with my pedometer too. It's off by .5 miles for every mile. So for now, I just take my Tahoe out and pre measure where I want to run. Sometimes it takes some creativity in order to start and stop pretty close to home. BEST of luck to you! Posted by: Mommyruns3 on Sep 04, 2010 at 07:35 PM

Yay Denise! Your energy around this is getting ME pumped! You can SO get started at 50 and achieve your goals. There are a lot of ways that you can measure your distance - including a pedometer, which is what I started with. However, the technology has advanced quite a bit. A lot of us are running with Garmins now - GPS enabled watches that VERY accurately track your distance. They can get VERY expensive, but a GPS enabled watch, like the Garmin Forerunner 110 starts at around $165.00. Too rich for your blood? You can go into Traxee and fairly accurately map the distance of your routes in your Trax Log with Google Maps. Just follow the on-screen instructions in your TraxLog. Then, when you record your runs, your log will automatically calculate your pace. The other thing you can do of course is to drive your routes if possible, recording the mileage manually. OK - about running 13 miles...YES YOU CAN! I know it sounds like a long distance right now, but you will be surprised what following a training plan will do for you. A lot of us here seem to favor training plans by Hal Higdon or Jeff Galloway. Galloway is a MAJOR proponent of the walk/run distance training principals. Here is URL for a good one for the Half Marathon for Beginners: http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/half_marathon.html. Keep us up to date on how its going! Posted by: bmoore on Sep 02, 2010 at 08:23 AM