Half Marathon thread

Thank you all.

It's just so annoying! I know the reason is because I'm not getting out the 4x week, and apart from my long run I'm only doing maybe another run of 8k and a tiny shuffle round the block. I'm also bored with my routes and music, so I'm shimmy-ing those up as we speak.

I'm chalking it up to a lesson in running psychology. I ran 8k on Friday, 10K today and would like to just get out again tomorrow. I plan to try '20k: Take 2' on Wednesday (or something close to that) and then will relax and taper.

aaaah: nice to 'meet you'! Where is you HM in October? If it's Glasgow, I'll be there to cheer you on.

mines: excellent run- well done. That's nearly 17k. Is that the furthest you've ever run? And only 4 to go... 81% to target. When you're running your HM you're never going to get to that stage and think, 'nah, can't be arsed, think I'll just stop now!'

hrh: your majesty, 27 mins for a 5k? Is that about 5.20/k? Holy shit! My fastest was 5.31/k and that was for only for 300 metres!

Pressed too soon!
Awesome Mines

I have bought some running socks and gone for twin skin in a couple of makes to test them out, 2 weeks to put them through their paces urge my gut is clenching with nerves!!!

Aww sorry Mog your run didn't go well, you've put the leg work in it'll all come together on the day. Have you tried just going for a shorter run just to get your confidence back?

HRH 27 mins is fantastic I'd love to get that!!

Well done mines - great run.

Congratulations on your 10k bump. When in October is your HM?

rankellior that's exactly how I feel!

Well done mines it's good you've found a rhythm, my pace is dictated by distance as I'd rather finish than go off too fast and hit a wall

moggle I'm so sorry but ffs you ran 10km! Give yourself credit for that at least. I do believe if you're really hating a run it's OK to stop. It should be a bit enjoyable.
I do understand how you must be feeling though cos it really knocks confidence. Do you think you just take a couple of rest days?

hrh I'm impressed with your 27min! I can only dream of being that fast!

So. Ive just done 10.5 miles! I really wanted to come back to you and say I'd done 11 but the last .5 defeated me 😂
Im really pleased though. Jogged the entire time at 12 min miles which for me is absolutely right,I cannot maintain faster speeds long distance, it meant I could do the entire time without stopping once-even learnt the art of sipping water on the move!
It was 50% enjoyable 50% tough going!

Sorry for sounding smug just feeling a bit happier and tired

Been lurking on here for awhile. I've just finished my 2nd 10k. Your advice has been really helpful. Role on half marathon in October.

Ah moggle - sorry it didn't go to plan today.

I think you'd really benefit from a sports massage. They can be painful but everything is so much looser after. With the amount of running you're doing, it's inevitable that your muscles will be tired and tight. Ask your DH for an early Christmas present of one.

And you can do it. You've practically touched it already.

🤔

My pep talk sounded good. Pity I can talk the talk, but not walk the.....

Tried for a 20k. Normally, if I'm feeling ok around half my target distance it all goes ok. Or I know that it doesn't start to feel 'good' until between 6-8k and then settles down.

Today it was just a mess. I plodded in until 10K and then quit. The thought of doing all that over again was not good. My toe was sore as I had staved it yesterday and my knees were really stiff. My headphones played up and I drank all my juice. Getting all the positive platitudes from my poor husband.

Back to the: I can't do this. 😥

Well it's been a better weekend running than the week suggested it might be and I think I've gone some way to making amends for only managing 1 run in the week.

Yesterday I took part in my first park run which I was a little nervous about. My confidence wasn't helped by a friend who told me that he was expecting to complete it in a "very slow" 28 minutes but that I should start at the back - I thought 30 mins would be more realistic for me. In the end I over took him half way in and finished in 27 mins.

Today I got 9miles/14.5km in first thing. The first 4 miles was over part of the course that the HM covers twice. It's very hilly and narrow so it feels a bit like your taking your life in your hands re cars/traffic. Fortunately there were very few cars this morning and the hills were okay - better than I expected. By 10km though things felt harder, my knees sore and my legs stiff. I just kept going and by the end all was okay. I've done loads of stretching and used the roller, hopefully that'll make a difference.

I've got another 5 weeks to go. Who's running in the next couple of weeks?

Well done on the long runs!

Foot feels better so going to do 10k today and then up the miles again next week.

Hoolit I have Saucony running socks and they've been good.

Sorry for being a bit MIA recently. Just been a weird few weeks with school starting back and other things.

Seems a few of us are having wobbles, kind of glad it's not just me. I seem to have become a bit fixated on having to beat a certain time because I'm still slow compared to others I know so I definitely need to follow moggle's advice and remember that back in April I couldn't run and now can do 8 miles without much bother. Need to just focus on finishing rather than the time!

How are the GNR folks feeling? I'm getting excited and I'm not even running it. The build up and excitement is very motivating and I'm not running for 7 weeks (eek this time in 7 weeks will be on start line)

Combining running with dropping my car to garage today, will drop water bottles on my way to garage & get them on my way back

Have 'Hilly Twin skin' socks. Guy in our local running shop recommended them when I got my trainers last year. They have two layers - hence 'twin skin' so if there is any rubbing it is between those two layers of fabric rather than sock and skin or shoe and skin.
Have honestly never had a blister since using them and my feet were a mess before. Lost 2 toenails due to blisters under nails

I have but not sure how good they are, definitely worth spending some time looking for a decent pair will be cheaper than new trainers. Think the ones I've got might just be general sports socks.
Any suggestions which brand I could try?

Pik do you have running socks? They're definitely worth it, I've never had a blister in 7 years of running while wearing them. I just get mine in Lidl & Aldi when they're there

Well done pika you did amazing to get out there and run 14k good luck for next week.
Everyone is doing so well, MOg you put it well we are doing this

I had to drag myself out this morning on my own as my running partner is away and managed 11 miles and i was comfortable apart from I got a blister again on my arch and I don't known what to do they are new had them a couple of months and now they decide to give me gip!
Do I stick with them and use plasters or buy new? I don't think I have time to run another long run as my race is two weeks away and next weekend I have a 22 mile hike to fit in ah bollocks I'm an ejit

You're all doing amazing yes some of you (looking at you pikachu!) are mentally struggling but look how far we've come! It's in the bag...

I haven't been running sInce Thursdays disaster but hoping to do 10 miles tomorrow. I'm going to try my best especially as I want to come back to you and say I've done it . If it doesn't happen again I'll probably hide under a rock

Thanks Hoolit.
HRH - we all have those weeks!
Mines - Pleased you have reached an agreement with your SIL, it takes the pressure off you.
pika - Moggle and Mammy are right, you've got this. I have lots of 'niggles' at the moment. Sore shoulder and a random muscle twinge in my right bum cheek (!). Have started taking ibuprofen before I run!
Random - sorry about the snots, but pleased about the new shoes and improving heel.
Mammy - plotting has definitely helped me.
Great pep talk Moggle. You are so right we are all amazing! I love this thread!

Got out and did my 5k this morning. I actually managed it sub 30 mins (just!) which I haven't done in over a year.
Need to buy some new running leggings as my Alzheimer's Research running top for the GNR has come and it is bright blue and matches none of my running gear. Normally I couldn't care less but think I deserve a treat.

Pika

Think back... you've done the long runs and your residual fitness will get you through. What are you looking forward to next week? What worries you?

I think, with nerves, we all forget just how far we've come. In February when I got my (totally unexpected) ballot place in the GNR I couldn't run 1k (though run in the past). How amazing are we all that we run homes, have children, work, study and still find the time to get our arses off the sofa, not once, but time and time again. When the runs are crap, disappointing and hard, we also need to remember all the great runs, the feeling of accomplishment when things go well.

I'm looking forward to hearing how you get on next week and the support you'll give us in the following weeks. God knows I'll need it!

I'd an enlightening walk yesterday while dd was at camogie training, ds who'll be 4 in Nov willingly went in a buggy and says he will again, junior parkrun here we come dd running & me pushing ds in buggy, dh can have a lie in, he gets up at 3.30am mon to fri.

Random great news about runners not so good about raging snot

Pik you've done 14k you'll do your half too, the hard work is done. Glucosamine is meant to be good for joints & omega oils have you considered any of those?

Pint fantastic news

Hrh & moogle great runs

RMC I'm going to plot my plan on a calendar I think

After a great start to the week I have a cold. Raging snots so not doing Parkrun today - Will try for a little toddle later and keep tomorrow's 8 miles under review.

Typical - I was actually enjoying running this week and had a bit of a breakthrough with a lot of it local Strava segment hills - actually 'ran' up them for the first time - moment of suspension maintained even though actual pace very slow!

Every one sounds like they're doing fab to me.

New shoes was great for me - I ended up with bright orange as they are cheaper (and men's size 6 bizarrely) - incipient heel pain in abeyance so pleased about that.