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Original poster

Anyone training for their first HM?

38 replies

Asleeponasunbeam · 22/06/2014 08:37

I've got one booked for October - the Great Eastern Run in Peterborough.

I started with c25k last May and stopped running for the winter. I'm so glad I started again and hope to carry on over winter this year - just hard with country roads at night, but I'll think of some solution!

Anyway, I'm following a Runkeeper program which is building up distance and speed slowly. Well, not speed so much for me yet! I'm really slow. My longest run so far is 10K, which I did last night. It felt pretty good, despite the heat. My legs were aching last night though!

What are other people up to? How's it going?

OP posts:
Hopefully · 22/06/2014 17:31

Do you all take water on your longer runs? I'm finding in this heat that even a 30 min run is too long without water, I keep forgetting it and coming back parched.

CardiffUniversityNetballTeam · 22/06/2014 17:18

I have a banana or a Naked bar before my long runs. I wait to eat until I get back for anything less than 10K. But I always make sure I'm well hydrated before I leave the house.

Hopefully · 22/06/2014 17:04

I normally have a smoothie if heading out for a morning run - I hate the idea of running on a remotely full stomach, so a smoothie is psychologically easier for me, even though it's still proper food! Mine is banana, hazelnut butter, yoghurt/cottage cheese, spoonful of cocoa and milk (plus spirulina and wheatgrass powders, but they don't exactly add much energy wise). I don't know if it would be enough for a long run though? Maybe if you took sweets or something...

I need to do some hill running - my preferred route is mostly on a river path, so is basically completely flat.

Original poster
Asleeponasunbeam · 22/06/2014 13:31

When/ what do you eat if you're running in the morning? My programme says it's only a 20 min high intensity run tomorrow, so I could definitely try that at 6am.

OP posts:
turningvioletviolet · 22/06/2014 12:53

Just to add, I find early morning running is much easier than at any other time of the day. My motivation decreases directly on proportion with the later in the day it is!

turningvioletviolet · 22/06/2014 12:52

I'm hoping to do the Wirral HM in October. I run regularly but have no specific HM training. I can do 8 miles with no problems (including a fair amount of hills) so my thought process is that another 5 miles on top when it's a flat route can't be that hard! I did 8 miles in just over an hour the other day so am aiming for a sub 2hr HM. Lots of time for practice between now and October (i think). Any recommendations for a good HM app?

Original poster
Asleeponasunbeam · 22/06/2014 12:43

Peterborough route is pretty flat, which will be nice for me as I run on hills! I'm not local but my family are. I'll be tuning with my stepdad, brother and DH who all ran it last year. I say 'with'. DH won't be with me - he's fast and does them a lot. Stepdad wants to run with me though.

I'm doing 3 or 4 runs a week at the moment. I wish I could motivate myself to do very early morning ones. But it hasn't happened yet!

OP posts:
Hopefully · 22/06/2014 11:39

I'm doing the Great West Run in October, which will be my first HM. I'm just finishing off the last week of c25k to get back into running (hadn't run for a year as had a horrible pg with dc3, so started c25k from scratch when DD was 6 weeks old). Currently running 4x per week and am intending to work on my 5k time for a fortnight or so before beginning a 12 week training programme based on whatever 5k time I manage at a local parkrun in a fortnight. Am v nervous about HM but loving getting back into running!

AnyoneForTennis · 22/06/2014 11:22

I'm planning on doing the Peterborough one too

Did the mk half in May.... My first! Very very slow, but hey, I don't care! Lol

I found it too hot on the day tho. All my training was done early in the morning.

EauRouge · 22/06/2014 10:12

Ooh, I'm doing the Great Eastern! It's my second HM but I've been injured for weeks so I think it'll be tougher than training for my first. Grt Eastern is supposed to be very beginner-friendly. Do you live nearby?

CardiffUniversityNetballTeam · 22/06/2014 09:00

I am training for the great south run in October. It's ten miles rather than a HM but if it goes well I think I will try for a HM in the spring.
I run usually three times a week. At the moment I do one fast 5K, one middling run of about 6-7K and then a long slow run if times permits.
I also try and either swim or do a bike workout at least once a week with some squats and lunges after to build up my strength.
I'm considering trying to fit in a Pilates classes weekly as well if I can find the time!
I keep looking online at training programs but I work an erratic shift pattern and also have to fit my training round a 6yr old so I never manage to stick with them!!

Original poster
Asleeponasunbeam · 22/06/2014 08:57

Sounds good. It's so great to get out for a bit isn't it? I have to run in the evenings as I work and have DCs (5 and 2), but DH also runs (fast HM's!) so we alternate evenings. We run with the dog (if he wants to!) so it eliminates a dog walk in the day. Occasionally I can cram in a daytime 5k before the DC are home, but it's too hot at the moment!

OP posts:
milkysmum · 22/06/2014 08:50

Hi. Not training for first HM yet but would love to get their eventually! Started running for first time ever 4 months ago when I kicked h out and wanted to do something just for me. Joined a 10 week beginner's group which was amazing and got me to do my first 5k parkrun. Now progressed to a 'real' running group that runs about 4 miles on a Wednesday night and then I try and fit in another couple of runs a week in. 4 miles is max I am up to at the moment though but definatley want to try and increase this and pick up my pace a bit but not sure how! I am limited to when I can train as I have 2dc's age 5 and 3 so can only run when they are either at their dad's or at school/ nursery. I work Monday- Friday 9-3 but sometimes get off a bit early and squeeze in a 5k before pick up!