Half marathon new thread

You're not alone Cherry, I've been looking back at last year and thinking I don't feel fitter. I know the slow runs will feel slow but I don't feel like they're particularly comfortable. I'm pushing on and seeing how it goes, the 1000km 2017 is encouraging me out of the door at least.

Yoga sounds lovely still very relaxing. Where are you up to with your long runs?

DId you get out Vet? I'm finding timings a struggle even at weekends to fit in everything that needs doing, I took DS for my long run, five miles at this stage, and he was good company but clearly found the pace very easy!

Hello all. Have been useless so far this year and now have finally worked out which HM to do and written all the runs in my training plan into my diary. I am so unfit compared to last year - have my runs stored on an ipod and looked at last year's thread and I was saying things like - easy 3 miler. Now I can hardly manage 2 miles at v slow pace.

I've been doing Dry January in the hope of improving my running performance but so far its not showing.

I really want to beat my time from last year but not sure if I can from such a bad starting point. The HM I'm doing is in May and is fairly flat so should be comparable to the last one but I'm going to have to get doing some serious work.

Haven't caught up with everyone else but will do now.

Hello, you lot! I've been on holiday (to Hastings where park run goes up and down the sea front!). Had a fantastic flat and it was warm enough for yoga every day with the balcony doors open, facing the sea and the low winter sun on me - you can tell I haven't properly landed can't you!!!

Anyway, I have been running but really don't feel fit enough for the hm in less than 4 weeks! You are doing well with your slow runs...I've run out of time for that I fear.

winefortea that's a great improvement in pace. I seem to be going the other way! Still, I am off alcohol post holiday and have 4 weeks to get one more long run in and some speed work.

Good to hear your base building is going well Chutney I'm still in pre-training too and haven't been out since a short tempo on Sunday. Just did 4.5 miles tonight but above aerobic threshold - I'm finding the slow runs very frustrating Will hopefully get out at the weekend when I have more time!

I've used haribo on long runs too winefortea, I have a very inclusive view of sweet types

I'm trying to push through the base phase of the training plan now, last week before it starts proper if that makes sense. The one change I'm making is starting the long runs shorter, I've not got the reserves to start off at six miles at the moment. That's been a bit hard to get my head round as it wasn't an issue last year, that was a given that I could manage that at a steady pace. But I don't want to overdo it now so it seems sensible to take it back and I did four miles Monday. It seems very slow what with keeping the heart rate down but hopefully is doing as promised and building a good aerobic base.

I woke up early so I'm going to put that to good use and head out for a run, it will be round and round the village because it's dark but hopefully will keep the momentum going.

Am glad we didn't get much snow here, it would have really put me off going out, so well done to all of you that did regardless!

I did 6.5 miles today and managed to improve my pace from 15min/mi avg to 13min50/mi avg - not breaking any speed records, but I was still quite pleased. I did earn myself a nice fat double blister though, so hoping that doesn't take too long to heal. Any tips for running on blisters/how to prevent them?

I'd heard haribo were good for keeping energy levels up during a half marathon - is this true, or just wishful thinking on my part?

Still learning - usually 3 times a week including park run. Will try to step it up to 4 plus cross training when the mornings get lighter as DH can go out and walk dog plus DD while I do a quick hill session - then we're both getting up at the same time which is more likely to happen than just me!

Hail is horrible - don't mind warm rain as it's not much worse than sweat but freezing rain and hail are vile!

still learning will look at rain caps ! I have a good thermal top with a hood which is usually okay . Don't normally mind the rain but know it will be cold as well. Will make sure the thought of a warm shower when I finish with that satisfaction only a good run can give you keeps me going !

I have a rain cap for running and it I brilliant missmapp when i have it on you barely notice roper downpours. Unfortunately it was dry when I set off and yep, it has been the only bad weather we've had all day!!

random how often do you run. I think frequency helps not quite but also as much as technical stuff. 3 times a week and I really feel the benefit.

still learning it was great ! I am normally a lone runner and don't like group things but this was really friendly and good fun. Ds1 lived it and managed 25 mins so I won't be worrying about him next week. Think this is a weekly event for us now.
Poor you and hail, that is horrible to run in. It was frosty with us but sunny so pretty good conditions.
Trying to hear myself up for a long run tomorrow morning. Meant to be wet but will try and get out there.
random sounds like a good run in the snow. I need to try and speed up as well but I'm no good at hill repeats ...Will keep trying

My first snowy run ever at park run today. Only an inch and the snow was much easier to run in than I expected. Good training for fell and mud runs! Just the wrong side of 35 minutes but I was walking the really slippery bits and taking it pretty steady down hill compared to last time. Hills weren't quite as evil knowing that they would end and knowing I was on my last uphill stretch made me able to keep going when I was considering stopping.

Need to improve my speed probably more than endurance - I seem to run at a really odd pace - every thing I've done I've ended up on my own in the gap between the fast people and people who are walking some of the way. Suspect suppleness (or rather decided lack thereof) might have something to do with that as a longer stride would be more efficient.

Fitness would help most of all - being able to power up the hills without slowing down much at all would certainly help. Can easily do a faster flatter and busier park run when we visit in laws which might help with speed and actually running with people!

How did it go missmapp ? I managed just 3.75 miles this morning...had to admit defeat in a hailstorm!!

Hi all,
I am going to my first park run tomorrow,am quite excited.
I plan to do park run on sat, long run dun and a 5-7 miker mid week. Also do circuits in the week as well. I was trying to do two 5-7milrrs mid week and circuits but just can't fit that in.
Am hoping that as it's snowy here park run will be a bit quieter and I can work out where to go ! Ds1 is going to come with me , really pleased we can do it together.

Managed to eat jelly babies when I did the marathon but not sure if I could manage a flap jack! I eat a brioche before my long run, I head out at 6am so can't face anything else.
Happy running all

Concept of eating and running definitely concerns me - co-ordination isn't my strong point...

Thanks Chutney - that's reassuring. There's only 2 possible "flat" races and both aren't ideal as far as life is concerned. But the Pretty Muddy at Weston was actually quite a lot of running and not much queueing for the 5k so might have to do the 10k there if nothing else turns up. DH's on call is a pita!

If youve been running everyday but are getting slower, you need a few days off.

And I found that doing 2 x hill sprints, 1 x 2.5-3 mile steady run and one slower, longer run (about 5 miles) was my best training plan.

Hi random - I trained last year and didn't do any more than three runs a week do my half, very much like you're doing now, parkrun, long run Sunday and a speed interval session in the week. It's a good plan to get a 10k in first I think.

That's a shame mad, I think I heard Karrimor have changed a few things recently.

I think I'd choke on a flapjack, too much coordination, although very tasty!

I've managed to run everyday while I've been away but I am getting slower and slower, even since Christmas. So strange. But it's felt good to be moving, I need to start ramping up my long runs but I'll take it very gently.

Hello everyone, been stalking this thread a while since DH planted the idea of a half marathon in my head towards the end of last year. I've now admitted in real life that I am planning one, and where it is (May and very local!) so it's a bit more real.

Have been doing a new year fitness kick after starting running last March and will try to start a proper training plan with 12 weeks to go - need the days to be longer to fit in more than 3 runs a week around DH's work and childcare requirements. So have been adding workout videos on impossible to run days. Running is now Park Run (choice of 3, 1 flat municipal park, one muddy hilly trail and a 3rd slightly less muddy trail) although they're all at least a 20 minute drive away, longer run (at least 10k depending on navigation...) on Sundays and a hill repeats session on Wednesdays. Only done one hill session so far - was hard work but hopefully it will work!

Last year did some 10k mud runs and enjoyed them, never done a "flat" race although I'm looking for at least one flat 10k before the half - have got a couple of muddy 10ks planned though...

Seriously disappointed by my new shoes that arrived today. Same size as all the other Karrimor trainers I've bought, but they're more like a 6 than a 7. Going to have to send them back.

I tried flapjacks during my HM last year - dreadful!
Had to completely stop to eat them, and drink at the same time.
Far too claggy for on-the-run

I've just gone for a different pair of Karrimor. I loved my last pair, and having tidied away my running/exercise kit, I've realised the majority of my stuff is Karrimor.

Personally I think you should eat whatever works for you to get you through. I prefer flapjacks myself.

After ages of listening to science that I don't understand I've purchased this to try. We'll see!

She said that because they're just sugar and don't have anything else to support you they can often cause unwanted tummy troubles. I do know a fair few people who swear by them though.

I have a pair of Saucony Peregrines. I LOVE them but they're prob a half size too small for long runs (was a newbie when I got them and didn't account for foot swelling/toenail trauma) so I'll prob need to fork out for another pair quite soon

What did she say was the problem with jelly babies nat? I did my first half on them but switched to the blocks for my second after they were recommended on here. It's definitely worth experimenting with feeling beforehand. I also keep a bar of some sort in the car for right after. That seems to help.

What did you go for mad? I bought a cheap trail pair last year but they feel pretty clunky so I fancied something a bit lighter and got a pair of Saucony Peregrines as I love my Guide 8s. I brought my older pair with me away though so it'll be a while before I get to try either of them.

I've just splashed on a new trail pair. My last ones weren't quite right. I'm gutted as my previous ones that I loved are no longer available.