Half marathon new thread

vet that's really interesting. I did quite a slow 7 miles on Monday due to frosty paths. It felt great. I don't really understand the 80/20 thing, but I am going to look into it. Not long before my next half mid Feb.

Hi , can I join. I am doing a half in Feb. Have done a few before and did my first marathon in November. I loved that and have entered another in the autumn. Think the distance will be okay but now want to try and improve my speed. Any top tips ?

Ok - training has started. Did 2 miles tonight very slowly and felt knackered at end of it but it gotta start somewhere. I'm so much less fit than last year - can hardly believe that I managed a half marathon.

Must check book to see what to do next - think it involves squats lifting up my LeCreuset pot (aka improvised Kettlebell).

Just catching up on the thread and wanted to second Chutneys advice for londonmummy

It's really easy to get into 'grey zone' training where you're running your long runs at a pace that's too fast to use your aerobic system, but the run is too long to maximise your anaerobic system so you aren't actually training either system properly and 'burn out' quickly.

Long runs should be run at 70% effort usually between 130-140bpm HR if you use a monitor - it's really tough as it feels SO slow, but means you're building a strong aerobic base (should be 80% of your training) and keep the Fartlek and hill stuff for the other 20%.

I've recently started building my aerobic base through long slow runs and whilst they are time consuming the benefit is that they don't tire you and you're fresh and non-achey!

runnersconnect.net/running-training-articles/wrong-long-run-pace/

Hi HM'ers. I started the original thread last year with a very slightly different name. After achieving my goal in May everything went pear shaped in the second half of the year and I have done almost no running for the last three months. I'm going to try to restart this year but am almost back at a C25K level so need to take it gently. I think I might try for the same one I did last year which is mid May using the same training plan I did last year.

I really need to do some strength and conditioning work though which I struggled with last year. I'd like to find a good class for this as my own home based efforts last year were not very effective but its hard for me to do due to work/ family constraints. I've had an ongoing hip/ back thing that I'm sure would improve with the right excercise.

Hi. Can I join? Did my first two HMs in September and October and booked in for Cambridge in March. I've lost my mojo a bit though - mainly through baby-induced sleep deprivation. Did 11.5 miles today, which is my longest since the last HM. So feeling a bit more positive but could do with some arse kicking encouragement if that's okay. Have lurked here on and off.

Hi all, not been on thread since finishing my half in October Sounds like you're all doing well. I've signed up for the Tiree half at the end of April and the Thrunton Thriller 10km (which is really 13km) trail run in March

I'm hoping the Tiree will be easier than my last (first) HM which was mostly big hills and lots of wind!

Belated happy birthday london!

I think this time of year its hard to keep fitting it all in. Everything feels like a chore! Even exercise feels like it needs to be timetabled, for me at least. Shorter runs sound like a good plan.

I didn't do the half earlier in the month, I was so tired I had a lie in instead. A friend said it was the hardest she'd ever done so for the best I think. I've been reading about 80/20 and heart rate training and really slowing down in the main part with faster intervals. It sounds like my sort of thing generally and also won't be a bad place to start getting back into doing more. I've been sleeping better which has helped but won't be enough on its own I don't think. Luckily we're not going anywhere over Christmas so I'll have more time too.

Happy Birthday londonmummy!
Hope the mojo comes back; maybe you're just a bit tired and in need of a wee holiday?

Oh and most importantly Happy Birthday

Hi londonmummy hope you had a good run yesterday.

I finished work on Friday so I took myself out for three miles today. I was still a bit stiff from a hilly woodland parkrun on Saturday. I have treated my feet to some new trainers after picking up a badly bruised toe on my last HM so didn't want to go too far in case they weren't comfortable (they were fine).

Thank you. I had a skin full of ale the night before so can only imagine that's the secret. Could make a fortune publishing that training plan...

Wow nat, fantastic time!

Well done nat super-speedy as well!

Well done all of you who have run your races, and I'm in awe of you marathon runners! I went for a long run this morning and actually managed the 21k!! Very chuffed. Think I might hurt tomorrow...

I have only done one marathon but would like to do another one day. I followed the Cool Runnings 20 week beginner plan and finished just shy of 5 hours including a few loo stops.

You need to be pretty disciplined to fit in the training. I ran miles on the beach on our summer holiday that year. There comes a point where even if you run from your front door like I did you are out for 4 hours every Sunday for 2 months in the lead up to it. DH was super-supportive and used to meet me half way on long runs with supplies and cook roast dinners for me. For me following the plan meant I was mentally prepared on the day. I think I only missed a couple of runs through illness out of the whole programme.

As a friend who is an experienced marathon runner told me, the achievement isn't the 26.2 miles on the day, but all the training miles run, early nights because you are so knackered, glasses of wine you haven't drunk because you rare running 5 miles in the morning and energy gels swallowed.

It is such a great thing to do. I was at my fittest and fastest and felt on top of the world when I did mine.

I actually used a running coach to help me with my training plan for London this year. I've got hardly any free time with FT job, kids, activities (you know own how it is) and was reading all the online plans and getting a bit lost with it all. He was great and would work out a monthly plan based around my commitments and always be there for any questions/advice etc. I'm using him again for my Manchester marathon plan.

I learned that long runs need to be slow (slower than your marathon pace), preparing the engine so to speak! What I struggled the most to get right was fuel. It took a few long runs of trial and error to find what worked. Tailwind was the best for me (powdery carb drink) topped up with chia charge flapjacks and jelly babies. My stomach couldn't stomach gels on long run

Doing London slippery , much to my surprise! And yes, all tips gratefully accepted!

And if you have any good training dos and don'ts, please tell me theonly!

Ooh snap still, I'll be 44 too! First half marathon at 43, first parkrun at 40. First actual run anywhere, at any pace, at 39

Which marathon are you doing emummy?