Half marathon new thread

Thanks london I am just hoping to enjoy it more than my first. And bad news on royal parks. Are you doing the original Hampton court? Anything else planned?

I have bought this from aldi in an attempt to get a strengthening habit. I can feel my foot rolling out taking at least my ankle and calf with it.

That's fantastic chutney

I am practically religious with yoga...normally nearly every day but just can't get into the swing of anything else.

I will try not to set too punishing a time for you lot then

I think you are still - you're leading the way! I go through phases with the cross training, apart from Pilates, I'm pretty consistent with that. Tapering is so hard, keep going!

I got a GNR ballot place . I might have skipped around the house when I got the email.

I am now officially tapering (hmmm face on account of the fact that I've not got much to taper from!). Am I first with a HM in 2 weeks.

I find it hard to motivate myself for cross training. I joined a gym but hated it. I like work outs at home and I work from home so can literally sneak in 10 minute sets while mulling things over etc but still...

I think that sounds reasonable random and you're definitely putting the time in. I'm with you on the obstacle run and needing upper body strength!! I'm doing a few weights every day at home in a bid to work on that in the background.

I feel exactly the same london except I'm not getting any faster. My parkruns are getting slower and slower. I'm having some blood tests to rule out any underlying cause. It feels like there's nothing in the tank at all. I'm glad to hear the times looked better for you, especially with that hill.

Sometimes it just needs that push Fifty doesn't it. I went out with the kids yesterday and don't think I'd have finished it alone. Glad you enjoyed it even if it was soggy!

Hello london hope you find your motivation soon and that you have a good run today.

random that sounds like a good plan. A parkrun friend of mine ran a half or a full marathon every month last year. As you say she wasn't going for times but got them all done.

I have just done 7 miles in the rain with a friend. Would probably not have gone out if I didn't have company but am feeling great now!

Back again... just joined my local running club to get midweek evening runs in. Did their 5 and 10k runs and really enjoyed it. Will be doing the 5ks regularly and the 10ks when DH's work allows.

Have found another Half I want to do. In aid of Bloodwise so a charity that matters to me. It's just over a month after the first. Is that realistic? Am assuming it should be and my main aim is finishing rather than a time...

Training wise looking at Parkrun on Saturdays (mostly hilly trail), club run 5k Monday and 2 other runs Sunday and Wednesday because that fits best around DH's work. Then 1 cross training day (rowing machine/weights) and 2 days resting legs although I will do upper body weights on one of them as I've madly entered an obstacle course race so need to find some ability to hang...

I'm still in two minds about doing the HM as well! But I'd love to improve my time on last years.

Do one fifty! I'm doing a GoTri one in the summer, the distances are pretty tame so it feels manageable. I just need to sort my swimming out for being in a big group and in a lake (pool swims ones are fine to just do breaststroke as they stagger the start so the pool isn't too busy).

bee I would have thought swimming was a really good way of cross training. And it's great for fitness and strength so I'd have thought it would be a good thing to do.

Very envious of your triathlon, I have always fancied doing one but never got round to sorting myself out and booking one.

Hello HMers! I'm tempted to do the same HM as last year but it comes up a month before a triathlon I've already signed up to. Can I (and do any of you) use swimming as part of running training? As I write that it sounds ridiculous but I'm asking anyway!! I'm also a little concerned about being recovered/motivated enough to do both! The triathlon is only a mini one (first time doing a lake swim) so I won't need to be super fit but I do really need to work on my swimming.

Hello runners!

I have been away a bit from the thread, as I have been moving/starting a new job/up to my eyes in life in general. But I am starting to settle in to my new home and went out for a slow and steady 10K with a friend of a friend this morning. She is training for a local HM in May so I am going to see if I can get a place in it too.

I've just invested in new trail shoes Post and love them. We're very lucky to have four parkrun's within 25 minutes and loads more a little further, so there's always a choice. One is very hilly but it made a huge difference to my fitness last year - it's a bit brisk this time of the year as it's very exposed.

I think you have to work with what you have time wise. I always did parkrun and my long run on Sunday last year and it did the job, with usually one or two runs in the week, usually one, can you do any cross training at home when DH is on long days? I found core work really helped.

Chutney I've previously done 2 half marathons, but my favourite distance to run is 10k. I'm doing this half with two friends who have babies the same age as they suggested it. Well done on your hill training. I'm very lazy at the moment and pick flat runs, but my local park run is very hilly and muddy. Got myself a new pair of trail shoes to run it in this week, hoping they make me run faster!
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Still* Good work with the negative splits. I have got myself a training plan, but can't do anything more than a long walk on mon - wed as dh works long days. So going to have to train four consecutive days then have three off, which is not ideal but it's all I can do.

I think it doesn't take much to throw off a plan this time of year Vet. The mental exhaustion side is hard to deal with, you know you'll feel better getting out, but getting over that hurdle is hard.

You've got to take advantage of every opponent still. I went out for some hill reps while the kids were at their athletics club last night. There's a very handy hill nearby, so handy you could hardly move for people doing hill work. It felt good but I thought my legs actually had frost on while I waited for them to finish. Negative splits are always good!

Sounds like a great base to work up from Post and plenty of time to do it. Wouldn't mind seeing some sun too, my lunchtime run this week was lovely on that front but it's all too rare at the moment. Have you done a half in the past?

Well you have the cold part post truth I think the proper effort will come ok. Get yourself a plan maybe?

I managed negative splits today over only 3.6 miles. But still, it felt better by far than recent plodding

Hi, I've signed up for a half marathon at the end of May. Used to run lots but had to stop while pregnant. DS is 5months now, and I've been regularly doing 5ks and park runs, but need to put some proper effort in to get myself half marathon ready (and loose the last bit of baby weight). It was lovely frosty weather for a 6k run this morning. My favourite running conditions are cold and sunny!

Hi vet what is your commute? could you just go out with the intention of doing a mile or so with no expectations. Could you find a new route? I find those things sometimes work for me on the psychological side.

I am gearing up for a very chilly 4 miles while ds is in a maths group (He is nearly 16 and home ed...I am not taking my pre-schooler to maths in case anyone was wondering why I have to take him to a morning maths group...in fact I do not have a preschooler!)

Not going well for me - haven't been out for a week now Did a circuits class on Saturday and it was brutal on my thighs and could barely walk sun or mon. Did a bit of rock climbing Tues which loosened me up an was hoping to run home from work yesterday but massively busy and finished late so just drove back as hungry and tired.

Going to aim for running home again today - need to take more snacks to work! I just find that I'm so mentally exhausted I just want to get home and am in bed by 9

Sounds good to me still. Especially the enjoying it part.

When I said this weekend is it, I meant for long slow runs! I will probably do 8 or so miles next weekend and all much shorter ones in between. I didn't mean I am putting my feet up for 3 weeks

Well I am up to 10 miles and going to do about 11 this weekend, but that is it until after the HM on 19 Feb. I have decided not to worry about my time as i am slower than before, and to concentrate on enjoying it. Mentally I am actually treating this HM as a warm up for the next one. (when I will definitely work on the capacity building! Promise!)

I am off alcohol til after the 19th. I had been drinking a lot though so I think it will help.

cherry you need to remember that those shorter distances are really hard (2 or 3 miles I mean). Don't you think? Once you get those under your belt and increase your distance, it gets a lot easier. I find 7 miles much more comfy than 3 (and I never thought I would say that!!!)