Hi Helen I am doing my first marathon too in leeds same day and like you got the jitters. You will be fine if I can do it you can do it. I have upped me milage too and i plod along. I hate hills and often walk up them to save my energy for the rest of a race or run. I never not walk at at some point. I have been running for just over a year a regular parkrunner and did six 10k last year. I did Thirsk 10 mile in March which i think was more nerve racking than the half marathon as I think there are far nore serious runners in that and was scared of being last. I managed in a respectable time and feel that was one of my fears conquered. Everyone will be out for their own reasons to do the half marathon and I feel it will be relaxed as some people may not be bothered about their times so much as more about collecting on route etc. Now be strong you know you can do it just do it. If i can you can when you see a mile marker just think of it as one less ( i always find the first one the worst and wonder why im doing it). Good luck brenda

Brenda is right - you can definitely do it.  Everyone has to start somewhere and you've probably chosen a good race to enter as there will be plenty of beginners the same as you.  I just looked it up and the Leeds marathon had about 4000 runners last year and  in the results the last finisher came in at just over 4 hours, so there's no worry there!  Also, I think losing 181lbs is pretty impressive!  Keep it up!  You'll be so pleased with yourself when you've conquered it.

Well done on losing the 18 lbs - that's a great achievement!

As to the race, if you've done 10 miles, you can definitely do 13.1 on the day.  The most important thing is not to go off too fast.  Start near the back, and start slow - ignore everyone else.  Even force yourself to go a bit slower than you normally do on a training run for the first four miles.  You'll find you start going past walkers after around 3 miles, and overtaking them will make you feel great.  If you're feeling strong at four, you can take your pace up very slightly.  See you you feel again around the 10 mile mark, and adjust accordingly.  A great couple of tips I've been given (but keep them to yourself!)

• Watch the feet of the person in front.  You'll find that you somehow get drawn closer to them, and end up passing them.  Then pick the next person, and do the same.
• Just remember when you feel like taking a walk - it'll be over quicker if you keep running, but just run a bit slower.

Hi Helen. I started running 5 years ago, having accidentally got a place in the Great North Run! I had no choice but to start running and had 6 months to train. I was not a runner before this and the longest run I did prior to the event was 9 miles, but I ran it with a short rest (my friend went to the toilet!) and finished. The spectators and marshalls will keep you going. The advice already given is useful. Start slower than you think you should as it's too easy to get carried along at the start and head off too fast. Have a mantra for when the going gets tough. I like 'Relax - Stay strong'. 5 years later, and I am still running, joined a club and just completed my first half marathon under 2 hours. Once you've done your race, you'll have a sense of achievement and I hope you keep it up. It gets easier the fitter you are! Good luck!

Jules