Half Mary - minimum mileage to give it a try?

Do they give awards for fattest finisher?  I'm 235, but could pack on some weight quick if needed.

I just completed my first half-marathon last month.  I am a novice runner (my first 5K was 1-1/2 years ago).  I increased my long runs to 8-9 miles a few weeks before the event, and ran 10 miles twice.  I thought I would be prepared, since I read that you can finish a half-mary with only an 8-mile long run.  My goal was to "finish for fun", but I can tell you I finished--but it wasn't fun.  Those extra three miles were punishing.  I would recommend based on my personal experience, that you wait until you have more mileage in your shoes.  God luck with your decision.

For my first half, I managed it on similar mileage per week (little more towards the end). I did have, however,  a long build with a 12 mile run the week before (along with tri training).  It was hard, but not terrible.  You can do it, but I suspect it will really hurt from about mile 9 on.   Your goal pace is probably not realistic on this training.

I really really think you should not try to cram in a few long runs in the week!  Tapering versus cramming is always good.  How about a 9 or 10-miler this weekend?  Beyond that I say you've run out of time.  In fact, before my last half I wasn't able to get in my last long run and Daremo himself told me to bag it.  It was a good decision and I PRed by a long shot, because I was really fresh on race day.

There will be plenty of bigger folks at the race I am sure.  Half and full marathons attract all body types.  You will not be alone at the back of the pack, either.  Good luck and don't hurt yourself...

Agree with Bikergrrl. I did my first half-marathon a month ago, and I don't run crazy weekly mileage normally. But I'd built up to and raced a 10-Miler a month before, so I just backed the long runs down to 8, I think, and then built to another 11, and then did the 13.1. So I had some longer runs in there that were all over 7 miles. A couple 8s, the 10-Mile race (harder effort), a 9, and the 11. I paced it evenly, and really only slowed down a bit over the last 2 miles because of a nasty headwind and some IT Band irritation that pops up once in awhile. I finished strong and felt pretty good, actually. It was a fun race. But I think that having "raced" the 10-Miler a month before was a big help. I now knew how to push it a bit on a longer run, so I was able to find a "cruise" speed that worked for the added 3.1 miles. Mentally, I'd done longer runs in the past (last summer), so I already knew what to expect in that regard. That helped too. To me, it didn't seem much longer than the 10-Miler. Since you haven't built up quite enough, it might be a little rough. And it's too late to do so now. If you're gonna do it, go slow and easy. And just consider it a glorified training run - that's what I did.   

there is a 9 mile out and back from my home that I will do this weekend and see how I feel.   I believe that you are right about not trying to fit in another long run on the week of the race.  Right now I think that I will do the race unless this weekend's long run tells me otherwise.  I am not above walking if I have to. 

If my 9 mile long run is Sunday, what should I do running-wise for the rest of the week to race the 13.1 on Sat?