Half marathon new thread

Good to see you Life!

I'm only up to six miles now and my planned half is in April, mind I'm not fitting in any swimming or cycling. I guess it depends on whether you've only got weekends to fit a lot in. I struggle s bit with just fitting the long run in on Sunday. Because clearly Saturday is for parkrun

still hope your dd is OK.

LifeisaBeach hello! Do come and join us!

Hi, can I sneak in? I'm on the verge of signing up for the HM in my town in May...not quite taken the plunge yet! I'm doing a sprint triathlon the week before so have been focusing on training for that, but I've got my "long" run up to 6 miles so now I'm thinking I should be able to work up to a half.

But then I wonder whether I can fit the longer runs in, as well as the swimming and cycling I'm trying to do. I really want to do it though, it's right on my doorstep so seems silly not to. I last did it 5 years ago and would love to improve on that time.

Maybe I will see if I can do 7 miles and then make a decision!

Hello to my fellow parkrunners, I recognise a few from that thread

Hope your DD is ok still. I'm so glad you had a good time on Sunday after all the niggles you had. How's the toe holding up?

Did the physio help AJE? I know what you mean about the darkness not helping. I've enjoyed it being warmer this week.

Hello, reporting in! (dd is in hospital). The Hampton court half is really recommended. It was glorious and very flat. Also really friendly. I was slow as I went out cautiously but I really enjoyed it.

Bloody back has gone so no running for me this weekend 😔 Getting some physio tomorrow to get it moving! Until then training was going OKish - I just really struggle to get my arse out there after work in these cold damp dark days!!!!

If anyone's interested, my hubs is organising the Stort 10 & 5 mile race in Hatfield Forrest, (Herts/Essex) early July. All off road, and Frank Bruno is opening it & running the 5!

still not sure if you like trail, but if you do have a look at the Colworth Marathon Challenge. It is great fun, a lovely atmosphere and no pressure to go fast. People camp for the weekend and barbecue in the evening (although IIRC you are vegan?). I have done it a few times and really enjoyed it (although I am driving distance away so sleep in my own bed at night )

Also, unless tomorrow is hideous, I am looking for an early June HM. Kind of midland, herts, bucks, beds, leics kind of areas...any ideas?

Welcome AJE Cambridge sounds lovely. Might consider that next year. How's your training going?

I have been out for a mile or so. Taped my foot up and donned some compression tights for my calf. Seems ok-ish and so I am now looking forward to tomorrow 😊

Hope you don't mind me joining! I've got Cambridge HM in a few weeks - looking forward to a nice flat course!!! 🙌🙌🙌

Not deep but at the base of the toe nail so a bit...lifty!

I'm wincing on you behalf still how deep is it? Not the best start coupled with your calf! Hope none of it's too bad.

At least St Albans is fairly consistent with the hills!

How'd the club session go feet?

And now I have sliced my toe on the shower unit...something tells me I may have to rethink this weekend!

Yep feet - loving the dog walker encouragement though!

chutney that sounds like good news really...you at least have something to work on and it cannot make you feel worse.

HM is this coming Sunday and I have all sorts of issues. Including a calf muscle that goes into spasm and then paid kind of creeps up my leg!! I got to 2 miles and then had a lovely walk

Made the mistake of looking at the profile for St Albans! I usually approach these things in a state of blissful ignorance and should have heeded my own advice :)
Haven't signed up yet though.

Speedwork session on my own this morning as I am running one of the club speedwork sessions this evening. Lots of encouragement from dog walkers :o

The book sounds great still especially if you're trying to be specific in making changes. Is the half this weekend or next?

I'll have a look at the St Albans profile just for interest!

I spoke to my GP this week and nearly all my bloods were fine, apart from my Vitamin D which was very low. Hopefully supplements will do the trick and reverse the fatigue. I've not done any running since parkrun this week really felt drained but at least there's something to address now. I've been keeping up with my squats and arm weights so that's something. I was even rubbish at Pilates this week so I'm glad I made that appointment to see the GP.

Yes i go to st Albans a bit and thought it'd be a nice idea...wimped out when I saw the profile

The book is not at all technical. It just shows you the different muscles you use in stretches and strengthening exercises and then puts it into different routines.

I did an uncomfortable 2 miles today. My calf is so tight trying to correct whatever is going on with my foot. Think I need to make some changes.

Looks like Silverstone is sold out so I'll have a look at some others. Not too sad as I have done it before and I would agree with your friend stillearin
St Albans would be a sensible option as it's close, I'll just have to deal with the fact that it's known as a tough one :)

Hi feet I am local to Silverstone - I think my friend did it and the route was uninspiring. So if you are local too...how about Market Harborough or St Albans (May and June I think).

I managed to get out on Friday but not since and have just learnt I have to drive for 6 hours on Thursday.

Hello feet glad to see you here! Well done on Royal Parks, when is Silverstone? DH was just saying we should go there one day but I don't think he meant for a HM!

You'd definitely need bubbles after london, its tradition now. Oxford should be good. I had cobbles on my last half up a steep hill, that wasn't fun, they narrowed the route there so it was a bit treacherous.

I totally failed to get out today, so tired 😴 this will be the first week I'll not hit my km target for the 1000km this year.

Am I allowed to sneak on here as I now seem to be running 2 halfs in 3 weeks in October! I signed up for my local one ages ago and have just got in to the Royal Parks via the ballot - sorry to rub it in to those who didn't.

Running seems to be going well at the moment so I'm thinking I should do a Spring one too. Silverstone is a distinct possibility as lots of running club friends will be doing it but it isn't the most exciting route!

Waves to chutney and 59 :)

I had the same for Royal Parks london only my first attempt though after it sounded so good last year when you and Fifty did it. Eight times must be really frustrating. Glad you've got a back up plan.

That book looks very technical still, hope it does the trick.

I've not actually booked yet for the half I'm planning in April, feel I'm getting a bit tight for time as my long runs don't meet the definition! I'm also a bit annoyed as a favourite 10k I'd booked have changed the date and route after releasing the details, so I feel it's all a bit off track for spring. I know there are options around, just need to have a mooch.

Bad luck london. I have nothing booked but have a couple of possibilities in April and May. And my local running club is putting on a new HM in September but we may be moving before then so I am a bit reluctant to register in case we are no longer local.