Half marathon new thread

I have just bailed from my first planned half. Achilles tendinitis meant a month without training (too busy sulking to cross train ) and I decided it would be stupid to do my first half off sub-optimal preparation given an obvious tendency towards calf tightness anyway. I also found an interesting looking off road 10k the same day as the half and decided it would be better to enter that instead - especially as my main (booked) aim for the year is a 10 mile obstacle race...

Still hoping to do the June half - it's a quiet one so don't need to enter too far in advance which is helpful but has the slight risk that I will need to motivate myself without a fixed deadline. Going well so far at least - really enjoying the running club and using my new gps watch to realise that I was running way too fast before!

I know how you feel Chutney

The 10km improved plan sounds like s good idea

My head is saying just get round but I know if I don't improve on last year I will be niggled. I don't mind so much for shorter distances but the training is so much for a half. But I will keep telling myself to enjoy. It's a lovely course.

My overall pace is pretty similar if I run/walk versus run and I enjoy the run more and absolutrly recover better I agree.

I've been thinking about after the half, I drifted a lot last year. I'm thinking at the moment I might find an improvers 10k plan to fill the gap before the GNR training.

Yup you're right london I guess I'm just very target oriented by nature and like to feel as if I'm progressing. Not sure I'll ever increase my distance beyond HM so I feel as if I should be 'improving' speed wise if that makes sense?

Realistically though just finishing is probably achievable goal - I did 8 miles in 1 hour 40 today (didn't make it out yesterday) so definitely not breaking any speed records! And I'll be doing well to get to 13 miles - the idea of doing another 5 on top of what I covered today is pretty daunting!

Chutney I'm sure that resting is the right thing to do, take care

Hi all - I haven't checked in for ages but the fear is kicking in now! Tiree HM at the end of April and done pretty much nothing for the last month due to crazy work commitments and a sprained ankle

Aiming for 7/8 miles today and keeping my fingers crossed. I managed a VERY tough and hilly first HM in oct last year in 2hr 40 so was hoping for sub 2.20 for this one as much flatter, but think I may just have to be happy to complete at this rate!

Hello Fifty That nine miles sounds very good. Let's hope for a nice still day with an out and back!

Great stuff london.

I haven't run for a week what with being away and having a cold. I think it was the right thing not to run at the weekend, aiming for a couple of 5-6 k runs this week at HM pace. I've been run/walking my recent long runs so need to get a feel for that. I was thinking parkrun and 10k Sunday. Not feeling quite as prepared as I'd like for the 9th but better than it was looking at some points.

Hello half marathoners. Great to see some old names and new ones on the thread. It is aaaaaages since I last posted. Congratulations london and Sirzy and chutney. I am sorry if I have missed people but I only read the last few posts in my enthusiasm to get back on the thread

I have been talked into a HM at the end of April by my running buddy. We went out this morning and did 9 miles in 1:34, so if we can manage that kind of pace on the day I will be happy. It was flat and I suspect we had the wind at our backs all the way . The HM is an out and back course so we won't be as lucky on the day!

Life has been a bit all over the place since the turn of the year and I have not run as regularly as I would have liked, but is starting to settle down so I am going to start getting some miles under my belt again.

That sounds more tempting. I have wine in the fridge so may have to extend your theory and see if it works for other alcohol

I am stiffer today than I was yesterday. Need to get the foam roller out later I think!

That sounds lovely london, although wind towards the end is hard. I imagine it can pick up over Bushy. So glad you made it inside your target too, well done.

Well done to you too Sirzy, that's a great time with a massive hill. Three miles

I survived my trail run and came in under my target. I had plenty left for the last third so was happy with that. Whatever the distance I seem to drop back in the middle third,

Can I hope in. I am now officially a half marathon runner!

Wigan half today, awful hill from miles 7-10 so pleased with my 2.33 time as I was aiming for sub 2.30 before I realised how evil the hill wasn

That's brilliant London. Well done. Happy recovery xx

Think I may be too late to wish you good luck this morning london. Hope you have a good run.

Hello MrsHopity - I know what you mean about the long runs at the weekend, it's definitely a challenge.

You're doing better than me london I'm carb loading on biscuits . Waters a good plan, without a doubt. What time is kick off tomorrow?

Hi please can I come on board?

Iv signed up to my first half at the end of may. It will be fun but bigger distance Iv done is 10k.

I was doing ok with the training but trying to get the long runs in at a weekend are hard. I will find a way though!

Sounds like you've had a lot on london. I had a very hard taper before my last half and ate loads ahead of it and felt very good on the day. Mentally I felt completely off track but once I got going. Good luck!

I've not been out at all this week, only done pilates, so definitely feeling a bit odd, I've got a nine mile trail race tomorrow. I say race, for me it's just the distance and enjoying it, I know I'll be close to the back. Just seemed a good idea - hoping the weather holds out!

What's London supposed to be like tomorrow on the weather front?