Half marathon new thread

Hello all. This has fallen off my TIO - and I was too anxious to go running. But just started again in a slow training plan for my next HM in September. I will read back soon. But well done to all those HM's done and dusted - who is next?

Evening all! Those Scottish runs sound fantastic.

My calendar is looking bare until the GNR. Apart from a Tough Mudder half in two weeks, trying to forget about that I'm trying to up my pace in the meantime, I finally took the plunge and joined my kids athletics club. Everyone seems super speedy but they were very welcoming and as it's at the track I can drop out for bits without being too inconvenient.

Who's next up for a race? Yours must be very soon Vet

Glen Coe is amazing, think it's early Ictober though. Or the Illuminator in Aboyne - a 15 mile night trail race. It's for walkers and runners so generous finish time

The Scottish highlands have a variety of HM that are wonderfully scenic - mostly road through georgeous countryside though

random- I have enjoyed the dirt HM the last 2 year - trail & canal tow paths near Leighton buzzard. Friendly set up.

Currently wrestling with planning training around DH's work. Am going to have to vary days of the week for long runs - the worst one is the 12 miler which is 2 weeks before the half and falls on an on call weekend. Finding a 2+ hour window midweek is difficult given DH usually gets home 6.30/7 and leaves by 8 apart from Wednesday "half" day (home by 3). Debating bumping the 12 miler back a week and adding in another taper type week - have a very scruffy calendar trying to schedule runs and "warm up" races into the rest of life.

Also trying to plan the rest of my year - anyone know of any fun/challenging half marathons in late October. Preferably trail/off road- and without major cut off time stress!

Thanks

I've managed 10 miles of walk-run

HM in 2 weeks so one more long run and then I'll taper down
Glad to hear everyone else is doing well :)

Well done to Chutney and Nat! First hot day of the year is so hard to prepare for! Hope you're not feeling too sore today!

Well done nat especially with a dodgy knee. I was a similar time behind my PB. I was doing ok and matching last year till about mile nine then my leg started cramping, at least I think that's what it was never had it before!

I've been doing HR training random and when I realised I was in zone 5 even though I felt pretty ok at that point, i knew it wasn't the day to push it. I found the sessions with intervals were the most use at increasing speed.

10k today was ok. Used my 2 month old heart rate monitor watch to stay at a pace I can consistently sustain leaving enough in the tank to accelerate once the finish line was in sight. 67 and a bit minutes so beat my hoped for target. Somehow also my 2nd fastest 5k since I got the watch... so obviously vitally important not to go off too fast.

Bizarrely I can sit in hr zone 4.9 for an entire 10k. I am not fast but can sustain that pace for that time and could have gone a bit further - glad I have alternative plans on the weekend of the May half I originally fancied because I was tempted. Would be very silly for me to rush to a half given I'm 3 stone overweight, naturally tight calves and previous knee issues. June is soon enough!

Long term I need to find a way to run in one of the easy hr zones, and get faster generally. Apart from the ability to speed up when I can see a finish line I am very one paced - more or less double my recent 5k times for 10k...

Hi chutney, well done you! It was a scorcher wasn't it? Same here, struggled with the heat and my dodgy knee started causing trouble at mile 7 so I hobbled some of it. Came in 15 minutes slower than PB but I'm happy with 2.15.

Well that was hot! Slower than last year but under the 2.30 I'd hoped for. The last three miles were so hard in the heat but everyone round me was being very sensible and walking where needed. It was gorgeous but I'm not great in the heat! A few wonderful chats with people too.

I wasn't tempted to push it at all, we had someone carried over the line at parkrun yesterday and an ambulance went past me today just as I was finishing. Luckily both seemed ok, thankfully.

How'd you get on nat?

Hello Maggot. I'd say it's very doable - you're already running three times a week just a question of finding a training plan that works for you, there's lots out there for 12-16 week type period. You've got plenty of time to ramp up the miles slowly. I very often run/walk my long runs which is a gentle way of increasing distance.

I hear you nat. Everyone one at work has been happy about the weather this weekend and I'm starting to panic! I've only done 15k in training too so will take it steady, we've got lots of water stations at least, so that's a plus. It's pretty exposed in places. Take it steady, that's our mantra I think for tomorrow! Good luck!

Hi everyone, how are we all getting on? My race is on Sunday and, despite having covered the 13.1 miles 4 times in training, I'm really nervous because the forecast says 22 degrees and bright sunshine! Urgh! I'm beyond rubbish at running in heat so it's not ideal but I'll just have to give it my best shot.

I've been asked by a friend to do a half marathon in October. I started C2K in Feb and am on Week 8, doing fine and have already downloaded the next apps for 5k onwards. I did a 5k a few weeks ago and my time was perfectly respectable (just over 40 mins) and have another in a couple of weeks which is flat so am sure I can improve my time.

13 miles seems like SUCH a big step up from what I am doing and am likely to do in the next few months. Even if I remain motivated (I'm intending to!), is it doable? I'm a 'veteran' and have never been sporty.

I have no idea how long it takes to train for these things. That said, two months ago I had no idea that I would be able to run for more than a couple of minutes in one go.

Am I bonkers for thinking I might be able to do it, or bonkers for thinking it's beyond me when I've obviously made so much progress?

I usually start in the middle because all the local courses are tight at the start - so I'd be walking until people spread out - and if I run too slowly I lose my spring and stride - have been experimenting with running slower generally and I have to keep my cadence up or I get really jarred up and it feels like I land all wrong. It's just so tempting to freewheel downhill and then not find the rhythm that works for me for the inevitable up bits...

Planning to start very near the back of my 10k and do a sensible warm up - had to tun fast to get to the club run on Monday which wasn't ideal.

Well I did 7 miles today and felt comfortable - even though mostly uphill!

I'm intermittently running to or from work which helps time-wise but does limit me to 7-8 miles depending on the route

I do need to make time for something longer

I found it was the time for the longer runs that I found difficult Vet. I'd get stressed fitting them in. The best thing I've found is to promise myself a treat after and a nap!

It's the monkey bars that give me fear random! I did a Pretty Muddy and an inflatable obstacle course last year and didn't have too much trouble (I'm ignoring the one obstacle DH had to haul me over . It's a Tough Mudder Half - what can go wrong!!

I've found starting off to fast at parkrun has been a much bigger issue than it has been this year and even meant I didn't finish once. it's hard with everyone sweeping you on. My pace has been slower with not being well but in the moment I seem to think I can manage it.

Chutney - upper body stuff depends on the run. Pretty Muddy is tame but has manmade obstacles - but the only upper body relevant things were A frames and crawling. I've done some local runs with mostly natural obstacles (haybales/rope to help you climb) so again no issue, things like tough mudder, spartan and total warrior have silly things like monkey bars (which none of the local parks have) and high walls which would be more of an issue.

If I can lose weight and increase upper body strength Total Warrior will be so much easier - being overweight and weak is not a good plan for these crazy things!

Having major issues with going off too fast. Last 2 parkruns have had 1st kms mostly downhill and I seem to get my heart rate way too high then struggle. Uphill and flat I am better at setting a sustainable rhythm but still not great. Need a combination of feel and discipline...

Well it's now 4 weeks to my half and the furthest I've managed is 8 miles and averaging about 1 run per week

I'm going to try and do 8 miles today or tomorrow but then am away for the rest of the week, so maybe just one or two more short runs after that, a couple more decent long runs with some short ones too over the next two weeks, then rest week with a couple of shorts and then race. It's not exactly a 'perfect training plan' but I'm just hoping to finish.

Really need to get my mileage up - my last HM I found that everything after mile 9 was a struggle and it's the same with my training at the moment - 8-9 miles and I'm struggling - any tips?

That all sounds very sensible random - especially if you've got other runs in mind. I've got a mud run signed up for next month, nervous about that as my upper body strength is rubbish

I ought to start up with some Jillian Vet I go through phases when I do a fair amount of her dvds. Slacked off a bit this year and I can feel it!

That's quite a set of races coming up feet. How on earth does the the runway one work??

I did 10k yesterday which wasn't great but better than nothing. I'm planning a couple of gentle 5ks this week along with eating well in preparation for the half on Sunday, I've also done the all important signing up to volunteer at parkrun on Saturday!

I also seem to have failed to post on here for ages but I was running in your old stomping ground yesterday 59, on part of the new late summer half marathon route and thought I'd come on and tell you. 8.5 miles, done in two halves as it was out and back, and it was HARD. It was hot, my feet really hurt which hasn't happened like that before and I didn't enjoy it much. However the ice cream on the Embankment at the end was bliss :)
I need another gait analysis/shoe session at a different shop as I'm not convinced by these shoes.
Racing starts in earnest next weekend with a 10k, then a whole variety of 5 and 10k relays, trail races and the amazing Runway Run (around the Luton Airport runway whilst it is in full operation ) before St Albans half in June.
All my current PBs were set in 2015 and I'd like a few new ones this year!

Yep. Physio is happy for me to restart running. I used to fence seriously so am well aware of ITB rolling (torture). DH and I just go straight to physio for any aches and pains. Also do yoga plus some weights couple of times a week. Suspect my shoes were slightly too small which might have made me tense. Have acquired a new pair which seem much better!

Started running just over a year ago and did 5/10k mud runs before joining my local running club this January

random Have you seen I physio?
I had terrible tendonitis, shin splints and ITB issues when I started running (consecutively not all at once!) It was VERY frustrating, but I realised it was because I was a) trying to do too much too soon - even though I was slow and unfit and hated running at first I tried to push too hard. And b) wasn't doing any strength cross training so my poor underused 30-something year old muscles and tendons were pretty much in shock.

I HAVE to cross train in order to run - it's tough sometimes to fit it all in but circuits/Jillian Michaels type stuff is good.

Also stretch and foam roller after