Would anyone like to join me in training for a half marathon?

[lurkingfromhome]

It was a thread on this board that basically got me through the C25K programme a couple of years ago. Lots of lovely supportive women pushing each other on.

Now, I've just started training for a half marathon that's at the end of May. I was a fairly confident runner before Christmas as I was doing 12k on my long run, even though I wasn't training with the HM in mind, but then took three weeks out over Christmas and seemed to lose all my fitness and go back to square one almost overnight . Still not back at the level I was before then but at least I'm feeling enthusiastic again, running 4 times a week (8.5k the longest run so far, though) and I need a goal so I've started a 12-week HM programme and today is the end of my first week.

Is anyone doing anything similar who might like to form a virtual support group and get a bit obsessed together?

[Danceasifnooneswatching]

I am doing a half in September I will join you, am not currently running but I am spinning powerhooping and doing a kettle bells class and a pump class. I need to lose a stone before I run again!

[brunette123]

I am doing a half at beginning of May and one September. I run 6 miles 3 or 4 times a week as well as 5 body pumps and various metafit type classes. I intend to up my miles by one a week from Mid March - I have done a couple of halves before and only did 11 miles beforehand as have found that 13 on the day is doable due to adrenalin and crowd support, though not done one since 2002 so long time ago and obviously older now. At least we are training in the nicer (hopefully) weather. I always do my runs 6am as I like to run on an empty stomach and this is one of the issues worrying me for my halves as they are 9am and I will need to eat something before then or will pass out but don't like food in my tummy before running. Usually I eat porridge after my run around 7am.

[kittypinot]

Hello!! I have 3 HM to come. Sept/Oct/Nov.

I don't go out as much over the winter but i go on the dreadmill which I hate. But better than not going at all! Once the weather warms up ill do 6 miles a few times a week then up to 11 on a long run.

I enter 5k & 10k through the year.

[26Point2Miles]

mines a week on Sunday....10 days!!

doing Silverstone grand prix circuit,its the official London half marathon,so excited!

[kittypinot]

Ive just read your post on the VLM on chat. Respect! Dedication is amazing!

I can only do HM as they don't really take over your life. A marathon does. Best of luck to you 26.2

[mommybunny]

Hi - I'm training for a half in September. I did C25K last year and when I finished that I had a good "run" at getting my 5K time down (I once even managed to break 30 minutes, which I know isn't a huge achievement for many but it was for me!). I also got my 9yo DS to do C25K and his running times have vastly improved. But then he got a chest infection in November and I was traveling for work and with the holidays and everything we dropped it. I started running with him again over the half term (and on alternate days started 7yo DD on C25K!) and found a running magazine that advertised a half marathon near me in September. I decided to go for it and downloaded a free training app on my phone (from Asics - has anyone tried it?). There is a local 10K as well in May that I may try as a "taster".

Based on my age (47), the amount I said I could run (30-60 minutes) and the amount I said I would run (4 times a week), this app reckons I could finish the half in 2:22. Probably not a stellar time but if I achieve that I will be very happy. There is a "pre-conditioning" phase that lasts about 7 weeks that so far has had pretty short runs of 3K and 5K. My first longer run will be 7K next week, which I'm a little nervous about - I haven't run that far in many, many years.

I'm already feeling fitter and leaner - I'm not doing this specifically to lose weight (though I'd love to) but the feeling of loose clothes is really nice.

Good luck everyone!

[LadyCassandra]

I'm doing a half mid May. Never run more than 5km before the middle of Jan then I joined an amazing group and ran 11km on Sunday! :)
I'm running 3 times through the week then a long run on Sunday's which is increasing every week.

[emummy]

I'm doing a half at the end of May so in my first week following my training plan just now. Have done 3 runs so far, long run on Sunday. I also do an outdoor boot camp once a week and am a dedicated user of my foam roller! Will be starting yoga next week to stretch all my tight muscles. I plan to get a couple of sports massages in before the race, first one booked for two weeks from now. Am running for charity so terrified of getting injured and not being able to compete.
Good luck all!

[BlueChampagne]

I'm doing a half at the start of June (which I did last year). Have been running a 10 miler every week or two (sometimes three) over the winter, plus commuting running. I'm planning to push up to 11 this afternoon, and do a couple of 12s next month, and hopefully a couple of 13s in May. Got a time to beat now!

[MyVegasBaby]

This might be what I need, I'm thinking about entering one but haven't actually done it yet!

[EdithDickie]

I am doing Plymouth half marathon in April! Training going OK so far. Am having a few rest days at the moment because of hip/arse pain (piriformis I think). Longest run so far was 12 miles in 2:25. Hoping to get round the hm in 2:30.

I only started running at all last May so am pretty delighted with myself!

Got Friday afternoon off to do at least 10 miles, hopefully 12.

Also just entered Bristol half marathon in September to make sure that I keep it up over the summer.

[Sazorchard31]

I'm thinking of doing the liverpool rock n roll in June. Physio suggested in Jan that I should never run more than.10k again following a knee operation.however I am itching to.do more. Knee doesn't hurt anymore and fitness is some of the best its been so think I'll sign.up!

I've run 10k a couple of times in last month so have plenty of time to up the distance. Eek excited just thinking about it!

[emummy]

Week 1 complete! Feels very easy as of course the plan starts gently. Have signed dd2 up for the kids race the day before mine, she's very excited!

[loveableshoulder]

I did a half today :) pb: 1:56:48.

I'm doing another on 19 April and want to.shave another 2 mins off. Would love to chat about it :)

I'm very.competitive with myself and a little obsessed with the numbers. I have a two-pronged approach to smashing my target: more threshold running and hopefully a half-tone weight loss. :)

[kittypinot]

Id love to get a HM in under 2hrs. 1st was 2:30 and I knocked a whopping 18 mins off my 2nd! 2:12 but I trained hard. So more training and a flat-ish HM its do able!

Well done lovable

[emummy]

Well done lovableshoulder, great run! I'm sure with your attitude that you will beat it again in April. Go for it kittypinot, I guess you've plenty of time to train.
The joy of doing my first is I'm not overly worried about the time, just want to enjoy it. Saying that, woul like under 2:30. We'll see, am not noted for my speed!

[26Point2Miles]

I enjoyed my first half waaaay too much... Chatting, waving and high fiving my way round the course! Didn't help that it was unexpectedly hot that day too. My time was a slow 2.38,with lots of walk breaks

Next Sunday is silverstone half, and this time I mean business!

Loveable, well done!! I can only dream of a sub 2 hours! I'm hoping for 2.30 next week. 2.20 would be fab tho

[BlueChampagne]

Well done lovableshoulder - I'm hoping to get sub 2 in June having been a couple of minutes out last year. Friend and occasional running buddy has just done 1:55 so I'm hoping she'll join me.

[lurkingfromhome]

So sorry for abandoning my own thread!! I started it, didn't get any instant replies and then forgot all about it until now. Very pleased there are quite a few of us about and well done to everyone training for this, or actually running them as we speak, lovableshoulder - what an amazing PB. I stand in awe.

mommybunny - I'm similar to you, I think. Age 47 and going out 4 times a week. Am never going to get a stellar time in a million years but will be beyond pleased if I can finish the thing, hopefully not last and hopefully not breaking a hip or having a heart attack in the process . When I first thought about doing this, in a kind of flight of fancy sort of way, I did think it would be great to do it in 2 hours but that isn't going to happen, as I do struggle with running at different speeds rather than just a constant plod, whatever the distance.

I've finished two weeks of my 12-week programme. Am up to 11k on my weekly long run, which feels fine but I am a little bit about being able to do almost double that in time for the actual race. Just trying not to look too far ahead and trusting that the programme will work.

The so-called "easy" run of 30-45 minutes is also not too demanding, but the other two runs I'm trying to get a bit of speedwork into and really really struggling. It doesn't help that my usual route is along the seafront - lovely and flat but the sea wind in my face on the way back means that running at all is a huge challenge, never mind actually attempting to do a threshold run. So those runs have been a bit slow and rubbish. I'm going to give it another go on Wednesday and see if I can get a bit further. I've realised I'm definitely a plodder, not a sprinter ...

So, some stats (because I like stats):

Wk 1, total 27.25K, over 4 runs, long run 10K
Wk 2, total 30.11K, over 4 runs, long run 11K

Will post Wk 3 results next week. I tell you, though, I am kicking myself for not getting into running two decades ago. What was I thinking? I really love it and can only imagine what it must be like to train for serious races when you're in your 20s and all lithe and bendy with no fear of breaking yourself

[emummy]

I know what you mean lurking, I used to be good at running at high school, wish I'd kept it up! Still, at least we are enjoying it now. May be for your speedwork you could try some fartlek? I find it less soul destroying than intervals!
In my first week I have done 17.6miles over 4 runs, with a long run of 5.8 miles (9k). Have done up to 8 miles over the winter, so not too worried about longer distances. Am happy just to plod along!

[lurkingfromhome]

emummy, that is a really good idea about the fartlek. I've googled a few ideas and found an exercise that involves running flat out for 10 paces, jog for 10, flat out for 20, jog for 20, and so on up to 100 and then back down to 10.

I think the thought of that is less gruesome than running flat out for 5 full minutes, jog for 2.5, repeat 3 times, which I'm supposed to be doing tomorrow but the thought of which is making me weep. I will give fartlek a shot and report back!

[ThereisnoFinWay]

I'm doing one in June and one in October, and possibly the GNR as well if I get a space. I've done 10 miles before but no more than that. I'm also currently injured so can't run. Fingers crossed I'll be fixed by April as that's when my training plan starts, in the meantime I'm cycling and spinning in the hope that I dont lose too much fitness.

[loveableshoulder]

Thanks everyone

I'm v pleased with time, but mainly because it represents an achievement - any time would feel like that, I think, cos I never thought I could run that far. I'm impressed with everyone's efforts too :)

I'm planning a warmdown run this afternoon. I also do aerial silks and did a two-hour session Monday Eve and a 90-min session Tuesday Eve so my legs are like spaghetti! Will prob do a four-mile easy run on the way to pick the girls up from school.

I recently found the Runner's World pace calculator. At my half-marathon time, I should be running easy/long at 10:00-11.19 minute miles. Slower than I thought. I can't covert to km, sorry!

Planned runs this week, including the half, will take me to 30ish.

Have a good run today, anyone who's going :)

[lurkingfromhome]

loveable can I ask you for some tips on threshold running? Did you find that it really helped with your training? I'm struggling to maintain running flat out for any length of time before I get too lazy tired and just slow down again. It seems to demand willpower of steel to keep going which I'm not sure I have!

[loveableshoulder]

I never really look forward to them, to be honest.

I walk five mins, run 10:00/mile 5 mins, then do 6 times 4 mins threshold followed by two mins 10:00/mile to recover. My threshold pace I've always set at 8:00-8:15/mile, but the RW pace calculator says 8:25. First couple are ok, middle couple I get a bit narky, but then there are only two to go. And I feel really worked out in my lungs after, which is a lovely feelings I don't get from easy runs. I top it up to about 6-7 miles with a steady run at the end.

It is not flat out and it is not maintained for long (as you begin to incorporate it, anyway). Fast music helps.

I find they make a really massive difference to my speed and after just a couple of sessions I run faster on an easy run without realising.

Another good run I do I call 54321: five mins jog warm up, then you basically do 5 mins a bit faster, 90 seconds recovery; 4 mins faster again, 90s recovery and so on. It is ok to be running with a lot of effort at the end, as you only have do do it for a minute! It works out about. 4 mile run.

I am no expert though - just competitive with myself :)