to think I can be a good runner? Any runners out there?

[aimingforpb]

I've recently taken an interest in running, but am very competitive and am sick of getting average times in half marathons. I finish anywhere between 2 hours 20 and 2 hours 40. When I train I have no structure and don't really know where to start.

Basically, I need help. Really badly want to break 2 hours but the idea of having to shave up to 40 mins off my run is scary!

Any tips? AIBU to think that as a woman in her mid 30s I can become a brilliant runner?

[aimingforpb]

Sick of getting to the finish line without an audience. Not because I want people to watch me, but because when I watch my 53 year old Dad finish in 1:25 (he's amazing) I long for that kind of finish. As opposed to finishing with a couple of people still hanging around and my dad getting cold waiting for me 😥

[tealandteal]

Can't your dad give you tips? Or maybe join a running group local to you, I find the only way to push myself is to go with other people.

[tealandteal]

Also I finished my one and only half marathon in 2.5 hours and there were loads of people left watching at the end and all along the route. Maybe bigger/busier runs?

[aimingforpb]

@tealandteal he can but he lectures and forgets that I'm not built like him. That I've had a baby recently and that I'm far busier than he is. It's hard, he just ends up leaving me feeling disheartened.

[aimingforpb]

Definitely but doesn't stop me from wanting to push myself beyond that and smash the 2 hour barrier!

[Blueowls]

There are some really good online training plans and apps. Check out My ASICS- you enter your current times and your goal time/distance/date etc and it gives you a training plan. I used it for marathon training in the past and found it good!

Joining a local running group might give you some extra structure and focus too!

No reason at all why you can't achieve your goal, go for it!!

[arseabouttit]

There are some very supportive running groups / online community out there - have you joined any if those? Other than that a local running club might help you improve your times or a cross training programme - my friend did an army training type thing twice a week and it really helped her running! Running the world and run mummy run are great Facebook / online communities.

[MissGuernsey]

Join an athletics club and participate in their training sessions (usually twice weekly) or buy a running book containing race plans.

The season has just finished but cross country running would help.

Good luck!

[arseabouttit]

And of course you are not too old!! You can do anything! Another friend is doing ultra's and ironmans now and she's my age! (45)

[KidLorneRoll]

You need to sit down and work out a training plan.

Each time you go out for a run it should be for a reason, be that the long slow run, tempo work, speed work, recovery or whatever. What that plan looks like will depend a lot on your current level of fitness, how much mileage you are currently doing etc. The good news is that if you haven't been doing this then you probably can gain some speed relatively easily.

[Thecatisboss]

Have you got a local running group you could join? That can help with speed. I'm very slow but joined a group and they split into little groups for interval training, long run, Bill sessions, trail run, improved group etc. that really helps as I do intervals with them and improving my speed.

[arseabouttit]

And one last thing - you are already a good runner! Those are good times and you are lapping everybody on the couch!!

[aimingforpb]

I think my other problem is also trying to juggle an ebf 5 month old! So running clubs aren't really possible at the moment as I have to run when other people are home to have DS. They have to coincide with naps. Finding it all a bit of a struggle but my running is my escape.

[aimingforpb]

Thanks everyone! Feeling pretty motivated!

[thenewaveragebear1983]

My current half PB is 2.10 so I'm hoping on race day (28th April) I might get a sub-2 hour. Might. I've been running only 18 months and like you, feel like my training is a bit sporadic. I'll do some really fast, and some I just plod along. All I will say is that distance is only part of the training- doing hill reps, speed intervals etc over short distances, plus a monthly (at least) tempo/threshold run has really helped me. Getting my gait analysed and getting decent trainers shaved a few minutes off my 10km too.

Also, the luteal phase (the time between ovulation and your period starting) is notorious for making runners slower and heavy, it affects me by sometimes up to 1 minute per km. worth monitoring over a few months to see if that is affecting you, if you're happening to do your longer runs at this time you might see an improvement if you do them before ovulation.,

Running parkrun on pacer day could help you pull your time down over 5km, as could finding a running club/fast friend! To be honest, your dad sounds like he's not hugely supportive. Is he one of 'those' runners running wankers who forget that they were new once?

[Sirzy]

My best advice would be to relax and enjoy running. I became obsessed with times and trying to beat myself and realised that obsession was stopping me enjoy running.

[Handofglory]

Under 2 hours is very doable. There’s plenty of free online training plans but I’d do a couple of steady runs in the week-3-4 miles, one tempo one-5-6 miles and a long steady one at the weekend (8-10 miles).
Stick some hills in and some off road running for strength

[eggofmantumbi]

I did my first half in 2.39. after some proper training, I did 2 under 2 hours so it's definitely possible!
Speed sessions and tempo sessions were what really helped me I think.
Good luck!

[Winegumaddict]

I'd say yes. My torts half was 2.35 and my current PB is 2.11 so I've taken a load off not quite sub 2 but we'll on my way. However I don't really follow a plan so I don't have much advice is just head out and run. I try and run 12-14 miles 3 weeks before the half and that's about it.

[Foodylicious]

Hang on.
How many half marathons have you done since having your baby?

How much/what kind of running did you do before you were pregnant?

[aimingforpb]

@Foodylicious I've been doing 2-3 mile runs from about 2 months pp about 3x a week. Before having him I was only running about 10 miles a week. I stopped running at 3 months pregnant so starting myself back slowly. I've run 2 half marathons since having him and one I ran in 2:35 and another in 2:42

[Bess66]

You would do well to join a local running club. It'll help immensely.

[Sunshineandshowers81]

Yes went from 2:49 to 1:58 in about 11 months...follow online plans. lots of interval training and hill repeats. Aiming for sub 1:50 by end of this year

[thirstyformore]

Interval training is the way to go. You need to train your body to run faster (sounds obvious!). Short bursts of speed gets your legs used to running faster, and also makes a steady half marathon pace feel a lot easier.

I went from not running to doing a sub 1.50 half in 2.5 years. I joined a running club and did speed sessions which knocked a good 15 minutes off pre running club pb.

I’m older than you, but my kids are older too. I don’t think you should beat yourself up too much with a 5 month baby!!

[thirstyformore]

And as someone said above you need a short speed session, medium length run with a few intervals and a longer steady run.