Anyone else training for a half marathon?

Issy, you are not much older than I am and I think I have the honour of being the slowest

Great pace golemmings!

I sometimes shred - did it seriously for a while about a year ago, moved on to some other Jillian DVDs, then got out of the habit over the summer. For me, it helped when I was running intervals, because running fast for 2 minutes felt easy in comparison to the cardio intervals in the shred .

Not sure what to suggest about your training plan - DH never follows one, but likes to run further than whatever distance he's racing (so will do e.g. 14-15 before a HM, 12 before a 10 mile) so that it feels shorter on race day. I prefer to stick rigidly to a plan. His HM time is considerably faster than mine - not sure what that says .

Hi IDocrazythings I am doing the Novice 2 program this time around as I am trying to increase my pace from 9 45 to around 9 mins so I am hoping this will help. I printed it from the website rather than paying for anything. I did the Novice 1 program for my half in March and it worked out really well. I was really nervous, like you, about whether running only 10 miles would be enough. I think at the moment if you are doing 9 miles with out thinking then you should be fine.

As Neithershreddednorsmug said the first few miles do seem to go by quite slowly then before you know it you have run 5 miles and then you are at 10 miles, I didn't find the end that much of a struggle to be honest. I think I was on an adrenaline high.

I used the Runners World programme for my first half marathon which sounds similar to the Hal Higdon from what Humble says. I don't think I'd done more than 10 miles (or if I had, I hadn't done 13.1!) before the first one. I just told myself it was a 10 mile run (which I'd done before), with a 5k tacked on the end (which I'd done plenty of times before).

Someone also told me that the first few miles go by quite slowly, but once you get to 4 or 5 they start to go by quite fast, and all of a sudden you are on 10 or 11, and the end is a bit of a struggle. As I said before, I'm old and slow, but that did happen to me both times.

humblebumble I'm doing Hal Higdon too; Im up to week 10. I thought I'd find his voice overs annoying but they are actually oddly soothing. Did you do it last time as well? Did you find the final distances enough preparation as you don't go past 10miles. He says trust the program, so I am but I'm still a little nervous! My last two long runs have been 9milers as I accidentally ran too far from home the first time so decided to do the same thing again last weekend.

hi-
I am also training for a half marathon at the beginning of October, I turned 40 earlier this year .

I completed my first half marathon in March last year just under 2 hrs and 10 mins. I am hoping to complete this one in under 2 hrs. I have been following the Hal Higden training program. It is fairly simple to follow (in theory). You do 3 short runs (of 3-5 miles) during the week and then a longer run at the weekend, increasing by a mile each week. You also do speed work every other week by running your "pace" speed.

Currently my pace seems to be improving and I am up to 8 miles distance wise and at around 9 minute miles, although this weekend I ended up with a slightly slower pace than I would have liked for my longer run but still okay. I mostly run on roads, with a few hills.

Hello, can I join in? I'm doing my third half marathon in October, and have a 10 mile race coming up on 9 September.

I'm super slow - my time for my last half was 2.42.

Im training- I did a 10 mile race yesterday (first 5 miles were up hill which killed my legs)- really pleased though as I had aimed to do it in 1hr 45 mins as I didn't know about the mega hills prior to starting ( that will teach me to not research the races that I enter in future!!)-
Actually finished at 1hr 50 mins- which I was delighted with. Im not a fast runner- I'm happy at the pace I run and just finishing (without stopping once to walk) was a massive achievement for me.

My legs are battered today though!

Hi! Can I join in too? I'm training for the great north run. 3 weeks to go- eek. I think it's going quite well, but I'm really not a fast runner. (or that experienced either). So many people run past me- on Sat. Two men were practically sprinting past me and they were still talking to each other and did not even seem breathless! I know you shouldn't compare yourself to others (and I don't) but still?

Sorry no idea why that posted twice!

Morning all.

Had to drag myself out this morning for a run but got there eventually! I did a short route but as quick as possible to try and improve my speed. Planning a long route tomorrow morning.

Definately an autumn nip in the air first thing which makes a welcome change from running in the humid conditions of late. Nearly dug out my jumper!

Morning all.

Had to drag myself out this morning for a run but got there eventually! I did a short route but as quick as possible to try and improve my speed. Planning a long route tomorrow morning.

Definately an autumn nip in the air first thing which makes a welcome change from running in the humid conditions of late. Nearly dug out my jumper!

hello everyone.

I have been very very lazy today and not managed to get out pounding the pavements. I am hoping for a good end of the week and weekend.

holmes i am not very technology minded (no iphone!) but use Map my run on an android phone which even though it moans at me saying the GPS signal is poor still seems to work ok. I struggle retrieving the info on timings but I think thats me not the app? I'm hoping someone might buy me a ishuffle as you can get a gadget that attachs to your shoe laces for recording data :) I'm dropping hints but dh doesn't seem to be biting yet!

Issy I am not very experienced either - I did a 10K (my second with a 4 year gap) and also make it up as i go along to be honest.

I did splash out and buy Women's Running magazine Sept edition as it has a bit in it about half marathons (I ignored the bit about Ultra marathons - 13 miles is quite enough for my knees)

Hello all - I'm training for my first half-marathon too. It's the Blenheim Palace one in early October. I'm a bit scared about it! I've only been running for a couple of years and never thought I'd get beyond 5k. Plus Blenheim's a bit hilly - I did a 10k there, so I know the course. Still, some lovely scenery to take my mind off the slog! Do any of you use an iPhone running app btw? I have tried Nike+ and Endomondo and have found them both pretty unreliable, so am hoping to find a better one.

Hey just wondered how everyone is getting on.

Been a good week here - got out 3 times in the week and managed 10k this morning so I'm feeling a tad smug but pleasantly surprised! Looks like things are getting back on track but just hoping I stay well and injury free.

Louwn that's exciting! I've heard its a good route but to be prepared for a big hill at the start.

I went out last night but the old legs were complaining a bit - I walked a new route on Sunday which is a much more trickier footpath of about 6k which after Saturdays 5 miles perhaps tipped me over the edge!

So night off running tonight although I tend to miss it on rest days. Might dig out the wii or a davina dvd to stop me being restless!

Colleys I am running the worksop half too! Just over a week into a 12 week programme. Longest run (tonight) only 5 miles so far and felt exhausted but was pleased to have done it! Not run for that long in almost a year.