Running: From 0 to 10km in 6 months. Realistic? Advice?

So... a good friend challenged me to finish in a 10km trail race this August.  I told him I would decide today.  I am looking for advice on how to get started, and whether going from a non-runner to running 10km in 6 months is realistic.  I have never run beforebut am interested but more than a little intimidated.

Here are some fitness and health stats, to give an idea of  baseline fitness, I don't know if this helps or not.

I haven't been working out.  I have just started watching my calorie intake again after a long break and have been doing pretty well with it for the past three weeks or so.  I weigh about 180 now with a weight goal of about 130. I currently eat about 1450 calories a day.

NOW

I cross country ski for about 5-10 km once a week. We are running out of snow though so that will be changing.

In the summer (and just starting again for this Spring season) I usually hike about 45 minutes per day twice a week with a longer 10 - 30 km hike once a week.

WHAT I CAN COMMIT TO:

- 1 - 1.5 hours at the gym 5 times a week, I would like to do weight training as well as cardio, is this okay if I am planning to run or do I want to stay away from building more muscle in my upper body

- 1-2 hour outdoor walk/runs four times a week.

Any advice on whether this is a reasonable goal, how to get started, how to build up a training program, even books or websites recommended would be really great.  I really want to do this, I just don't want to set myself up for failure if it's really not a realistic timeline. 

I'm not a runner but my opinion, based on your current level of activity, is that it is a realistic goal.

Also not really a runner, but it sounds like you have the ability to do it.  You seem pretty active.  I've run a couple of 10k's - I think 6 months is plenty of time to get into shape for it. 

This is totally doable!  Try runnersworld.com for some great training schedules.

Yep, definitely a realistic goal, especially since you're already physically active (you're definitely not a couch potato, to say the least.) :)

Do a web search for "Couch to 5k."  It's a program that, just like it sounds, is meant to take you from 0 activity to running a 5k in eight weeks or so.  Given that you already exercise, you could probably get to 5k in less time.

I know it can be done, though.  My main hardcore cardio activity was cycling (I was up to an average of twelve miles @ 16 mph on a normal day,) until it got too cold.  I switched to walking, and one cold evening got the urge to try jogging.  That was in November, and just yesterday (March 2,) I comfortably jogged 5.2 miles.  So that's what, four months?  And that's a little less than 10k, so in six months, you can definitely get to 10k.  Just get yourself the best pair of running shoes you can afford (and if possible, find a running store that can get you fitted properly.)  Don't try to do too much too fast.  Otherwise, have fun!

I am going to look up both the Couch to 5km and runner's world sites.  This has been really encouraging advice... to me there has always been something intimidating about people who run and it has been really good to hear that the timeline should be possible too. 

For the first week I'm going to have to run in cross trainers, I live in a small town where there really aren't any stores that sell running shoes but will be able to get to a city before too long. 

Yay!  Believe me, I know what you mean about being intimidated.  I always thought that people who ran were either nuts, or sadists, or possibly both.  My only exposure to running was the forced running they made us do in high school gym class.  And what I remember about that was being in pain and unable to breathe because they never tried to teach us about correct form, breathing, etc.  No wonder I never had any fun.

Here are a couple of websites that I found helpful:

Zappos.com "Road Running" guide.  When you have time, check out all the links at the right side of the page, specifically the "Road Shoe Guide" at the very top.  Like you, I don't have a running store nearby, so I did my own research to figure out what shoe I should get.  The articles on this page were very helpful in that regard.

Running 101 (About.com).  I wish I would have had the article on proper running form back in high school! :) 

Edit:  Ooops just realized you said you were gonna do a trail run.  Here's the link for Trail Running @ Zappos. :)

A few years ago I did a very similar thing; signed up for a race and THEN took up running.  It's actually a very good way to do it because you have a hard goal (motivation) and therefore a definite measure for success.  My advice is to start slow, of course, but mostly to be patient with yourself.  There are not many things that are harder to do than to START running because it's SO uncomfortable at first.  You'll probably end up walking when you feel like you SHOULD be able to run at times and maybe even hating yourself for it.  But hang in there, it'll come.  Hopefully come August you'll not only enjoy the 10k but will also have become a runner.  There's no better way to stay fit (all you need is a pair of shoes) and it may lead you to places inside yourself that were previously uncharted.  Good luck!

You can do this!   Here are a couple of websites to help out....

 

Podrunner: 

http://www.djsteveboy.com/mixes.html

This guy has made interval mixes for you to listen to on your mp3 player.   There is a tone to tell you when to switch from running to walking.   It is a 9 week program and at the end you should be running a 5k.   It is techo music though, not my favorite, but it is a fun game to try and make my feet hit with the beat.

 

Cool Runnings couch to 5k program.

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.s html

This plan goes along with the pod runner intervals.   Run a little, walk a little and shortly you should be running a 5k.

 

Good luck! 

In my opinion, the only way to fail is to not try. Besides, as long as you finish the race, it's not a failure, especially if you put the work in.

Good luck!

Absolutely do-able. I went from Couch to 5 k in 3 months and the 5 k to 10 k in a few weeks after that - that was 2 1/2 years ago and I'm doing a marathin thi spring. And I was never a runner or a cross country skier, so you've got a good base already

 Just stick to a training plan - and don't try and do too much to fast - that's how the injuries happen

I agree - it definitely sounds like a realistic goal, and there are plenty of "running for beginners" and "couch to 5K" plans out there to get your started.  I recently started training for a 5K myself, and my advice is to just start slow. It takes time to build up speed/endurance, but as long as you keep on running, you'll get there!