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Half Marathon thread

993 replies

Pikachuwithyourmouthclosed · 30/06/2017 08:26

Anyone up for a bit of half m support?

I'm registered to run my first half m in early September.

I'm struggling a bit with motivation tbh. I think I peaked too soon - could have done it 6 weeks ago. I've got time to get prepared though - it's 8 weeks away and I'm not starting from scratch. The most important thing for me is to keep up the strength work or my knees go kerboom.

Anyone else?

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mogglemoo · 24/08/2017 09:50

I've lost it. I can't do it. Been out the last two days and not even managed 3k each time.

I don't know what to do, the internal argument and thinking about how faaaarrrr it is is really putting me off. I managed 18k on Saturday for fuck's sake. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?

This stupid race has taken over my life all summer, cost loads and now I'm just fannying about. I know I need to go out twice in the week to make the long run easier, but have no motivation. So I've failed before I've even started.

I feel like quitting, but know I can't. My family are travelling to watch me, taken on more than their share of housework and given me never ending encouragement and I'll fail them all.

I know I'll shuffle round my race and really want to enjoy it and come back on here to say, 'Ive only gone and fucking done it', but I'm mega doubting myself.

On a more positive note: the run was so short, there was no 'leakage' 😀

mogglemoo · 24/08/2017 09:40

Mammy

The trainer tags go through your laces- like this:

Half Marathon thread
2012860363 · 24/08/2017 08:57

Oh and me too with the leaking. Some days worse than others and caffeine definitely makes it worse. I find having an extra wee before I leave helps a bit. I find it quite upsetting, I am 30 years old for goodness sake!

2012860363 · 24/08/2017 08:50

You have all inspired me and I have just ordered some new trainers as I had had some niggles in my ankle and shin the last few weeks and hoping it's that my trainers are worn out. I have just gone for the newer version of the ones I have got (Saucony Jazz 18) as have got on well with them. Should be here tomorrow and hoping for a long run on Monday to test them out.
To those of you that have already done a HM or more than one, do you find that you generally go slightly faster on the day because of all the other people? Really hoping so, would love a 10 minute mile average. 6 weeks on Sunday Confused

shortaris1 · 24/08/2017 07:50

Mine's definitely not just you! Noticed I was getting damp when I ran so got the Dr to refer me to specialist (aka fanny) physio. She got me doing the exercises with a hand shoved up my fundament to check I was doing them right and then gave me a list of exercises to do. Nothing complicated but you have to do them daily. Much better now. DONT JUST PUT UP WITH IT!

BTW I've not had kids but I was running, doing body attack and combat and doing double leg ab exercises! Also running for a 30 second pee at work and not emptying properly so now I have to sit for a few seconds and rock to make sure I'm emptying properly.

You did ask!

As for the music I like I run to 'Running Trax' and 'Now that's what I call running' . Pure 90's cheese!

mogglemoo · 24/08/2017 06:38

Mines

I'm so glad that you brought this up- I thought I was the only one with potentially 'pish-y pants', but was embarrassed that I may be the only one.

It happened to a lesser extent when I wasn't running as far but seemed to improved. Now I have to drink on my longer runs, I find that as I drink, it seems to just come out the other end (soz for the TMI). Yes to the panty liners, but didn't want to admit I may need a 'Tena Lady'.

I had this convo with my sister and the same thing happens to her. Her view is that 'unless it's gushing out, then there's nothing can be done.'

I will be taking an entire change of clothes, wet wipes and deodorant wipes to change after I've finished. I always get cold after a race, but mainly so I don't smell of wee!

mammymammyIRL · 24/08/2017 06:38

Mine this happens to me too & my running buddy although she just leaks, on one run my whole bladder emptied. She advised Tena liners but I haven't purchased yet. Black leggings all the way. It's down to the impact I'd say.

I also train on hills & my half is all flat but I do some flat running too.

Hoolit · 23/08/2017 23:27

Oh dear mines I'd forget that run completely ever happened Smile start afresh and to answer your question I think I get that ahem sweaty no one could tell what it is! I used a liner last year and it didn't stay in place!!! You did ask Grin
I have only run just over 9.5 miles and my run is on the 10th or 9th I forget, but most training plans only do the full whack on the day although I am hoping for at least 11 miles on Sat as next Saturday I have the Cheviot challenge cos I got mixed up with the dates so hope I don't bugger myself!

RMC123 · 23/08/2017 23:21

Mines nope! Not just you. Constant battle here between drinking enough and managing my bladder ConfusedBlush

minesapintofwine · 23/08/2017 23:02

It really wasn't my run was it Hmm

minesapintofwine · 23/08/2017 23:02

Oh I forgot to mention 2 other things that happened today.

  1. My big toenail came off Confused
  1. TMI sorry!! When I was running I pee'd myself. OK I'll clarify. In recent years I have had bladder issues building-a couple of uti and urgency. In recent months I started to become a bit incontinent when walking the dog etc Blush. So I took to wearing panty liners constantly. It's improved but when I run I ahem,leak,urine. Today it was so bad I could see a noticeable wet patch Shock. So I'm going to buy bigger pads for running only (I'm 35 don't want to give in yet) and only wear black leggings. Please please tell me it's not just me... (though understand if you don't want to tell the Internet)
RMC123 · 23/08/2017 22:42

Mines ha ha!!

minesapintofwine · 23/08/2017 22:40

IT'S NOT THE GNR! !!

minesapintofwine · 23/08/2017 22:37

Never trust the first mile!

shortaris hope your foot improves.

hoolit I keep hearing of spectacularly bad runs occurring before the race. It knocks self confidence though doesn't it? I think I'm just worried that up until now I've only got to 9 miles (10 in January so a bit further before) so what if I can't do the distance? I've 5 weeks to go though so I'm determined not to panic yet

rmc I saw 1.5 miles of Hill and was Shock too for you but honestly bet it's not as bad as it sounds.

Now for the bit to make you all jealous. The Cardiff half is flat flat flat but thanks to living where I do I've been training on hills hills hills. My total elevation since June is 2000m. I like the strength boost it gives me and thinking it should really help on the day but actually am wondering if I should choose to run a long,flat run as part of training. I should shouldn't I?

Hoolit · 23/08/2017 21:47

You'll be fine really Smile you won't even notice there is so much going on.

RMC123 · 23/08/2017 21:43

Hoolit thanks for the info! Mile and a half climb! Feeling a bit wobbly! It will be fine I am sure Confused
I agree that the first mile is always the worst!

Hoolit · 23/08/2017 21:33

Sorry you had to abandon your run mines that was exactly me just weeks before my first half, dh had to pick me up before I'd even completed 2 miles!

I know what you mean with wondering why we keep up the running, after the half last year I vowed never again but here we are struggling along giving up my Saturday night wine for a early Sunday start Confused

RMC it's a slow incline about 8 mile, then flat for a bit before a steady climb between 10.5 /12 . I have devoured the magazine, not sure what I am looking for some kind of reassurance or something!!

Hope your foot get sorted short

I did a 3.5 mile hill run tonight was ok just have to keep my mind off wanting to stop and I've noticed I gurn when I run!!!! I must look a right fit I try so hard to relax my face I have no idea why i do it but I need to bloody pack it in its energy I can't afford to use HmmSmile

shortaris1 · 23/08/2017 21:24

You and me both mine's

These silly injuries drive me crazy. I swam 16 lengths tonight in an attempt to just exercise and not sit in and eat Grin

Well done on the 10k mammy and I love the sprint finish Moggle

RMC no idea why that happens. I always struggle with the first mile and want to go home!

minesapintofwine · 23/08/2017 19:21

mammy well done on your 10k and your pb Star

I've just had to cut short my long run (again) Sad
I was aiming for 8 miles,9/10 if all going well. Just before I left the house I started feeling sick but didn't know if it was pretty run nerves or the egg I'd eaten 😂.
Anyway got myself through a slow but very uphill/hard 3 miles and felt okish. The rest of the run should have been easy terrain but I started to feel so sick,I tossed my water bottle as the sound/feel of the water sloshing was making me even more Envy (boak). My quads were sore. So I just gave in and Dh came to pick me up (bless him) for the first time ever!

I feel a bit frustrated as haven't managed a long run in the last few weeks and that was 9 miles.

But. I'm OK. There are good runs and bad runs. I'm going to have a few rest days and attempt it again on Sunday.

At this point before the Swansea half I was in the same position,having lots of bad runs, and aches, and I deferred my place. But I'm not thinking of that now. I will run this half even if I don't manage any more decent runs before it.

I do keep wondering why I do this shitty running lark though Grin

Wine
mammymammyIRL · 23/08/2017 17:30

Finally getting a chance to catch up here, will post my story and then catch up with the rest of ye.

My runkeeper says I've run 10 times in August and I logged 1 with strava but my phone was playing up some days also and I didn't take it with me.

Did my 10k last Sunday and it was a very muggy kind of a day, went two fast on first two miles and then had to walk half a km to get back on track, achieved a pb by 1.5 mins. It was mile 5 before my legs knee what they were at and every step was an effort prior to that, my friend said the same the mugginess definitely didn't help.

Local running group has started up on Mon & Thurs eve so my plan going forward is to run 3.4 miles with them those days, 2 miles on Wed morn and do my long run on Sat/Sun to build up my mileage for half marathon on 17th Sept. I did 6.5 miles week before last, 6.22 as my 10k, so plan is this weekend 8 miles, next weekend 9.5 miles, weekend before race 11miles and then race day Grin Someone mentioned they were doing one the same day and maybe it's the same one. I'm doing Charleville Half in County Cork, Ireland known as flattest half marathon route in Ireland. I'm used to hills although I don't love them but this sounds good Smile

Bruising on my foot didn't impair my running at all luckily
Didn't use the tailwind yet as it's recommended for runs over 1 hr, going to position a bottle containing it about 5 miles into my 8 mile run for the weekend, as I don't like to carry anything and will report back then.

randomsabreuse 10 mile obstacle run sounds fab, longest ones around here are 7.5km but obstacles definitely break it up massively and they're so much fun Grin

2012860363 you sound exactly like me, I like to run early on an empty stomach and it's so much fresher in the morning just as the day is getting going and the roads are quiet too, plus it's out of the way Smile

mine just read post about your first run after two weeks off, and you sound so disappointed, I hope it's improved for you Wine

hrh I haven't braved taking either dog running, one would escape the yard if I tried to take the other one out so need someone there to keep that one in as I leave Smile

cherrymix welcome, your plan sounds great. HARD CORE definitely doesn't describe me Grin I think we're all just out to achieve completion of a half marathon rather than any great times.

Our new running group is headed by a guy whose aim is do a 5k in 15 mins shortly, and he's not around on Thurs so a lady who's doing an ironman challenge next year is going to be with us. He's lovely and his son (8/9/10 years old) came too, he'd already done 20k on Mon morn so he was happy to stop whenever suited newbies, not following c25k so just as the need arose for guy with us, 4 times in 5.5km on his second ever run, I was amazed!

For those who are TAAT, I was like this until beg of this year, my job is demanding & long hours & I've a 3 & 7 year old at home and dh works long hours too, then in feb I started taking siberian ginseng, I've only been sick once since, with gastric bug, and I'm not TAAT anymore. It costs me €7.49 at supermarket for a months supply and is beeline healthcare brand, it's been life changing for me Smile

Pikachu this is no time for a crisis of confidence of course you can do it, you're putting in the training. You've done more than a half marathon before without even realising it!! Start eating better though because your running will improve with right nutrition and your weight gain will be reversed too. I started following rh fitness a month ago, it costs £3.50 a month and I invested in a fitbit too £65 but I'm now 5/6lbs lighter and the weight is moving and I'm eating more than ever before.

hoolit sorry to hear about ddog
bubble well done on your half, great time despite recovery walk. Thanks for all the advice too, the knickers thing happened me on my last long run before half in June, excruciating pain when I pulled the elastic out of where it had cut into my leg, I didn't realise it was cut Smile I find people cheering me on when I know I'm not doing my best really irritates me Angry

Tapering isn't something I can do for this half marathon, does it help a lot?
cherrymix love the analogy of hm and childbirth Smile

mine hadn't heard that about pumping arms up a hill, will try it tomorrow evening, knew about the short steps, I normally count 1,2,3 on repeat and if I can't count to 3 it's time to walk, but I usually can Smile

I'm an asics runners girl since I had plantar fascitis years ago and endured three sessions of very painful physio, haven't looked back since

Where do the trainer tags go across your laces? They're fabulous. I'm buying a medal hanger when I complete this half marathon, guy near us makes fabulous ones for €25. He has an amazing oak one for €200 but budget won't stretch to that SadSmile
bubble I was about to buy kalenji vest on decalthon when it went out of stock, need to purchase one too

Love the 3 step sprint finish, I've done it a bit at last couple of races, when finish line is in sight, and my eyesight is poor, I wear contacts full time so maybe 200/300m of a sprint Grin

There I think I'm up to date

minesapintofwine · 23/08/2017 16:49

3 steps for man...feels like 300 steps at the end of a race Grin

mogglemoo · 23/08/2017 16:16

Remember: they're officially only 3 steps...

minesapintofwine · 23/08/2017 16:12

random I've never managed a sprint finish just too knackered! Well I did once I think. Determined to at the end of this race,might start doing them at the end of my long runs Grin

randomsabreuse · 23/08/2017 13:17

I have found a sprint finish in every race I've done - including my first half.

The finish line has an amazing effect! Even when you feel dead seeing the end really helps!

My first half the last mile was massively easier than the previous two - passing the 12 mile marker gave me a new lease of life...

minesapintofwine · 23/08/2017 12:54

bubble I thought you meant vests made out of water then! (Like a water bed) thought it sounded lovely Smile

moggle that sounds like a very wise 6 year old!

Looking forward to doing about 8 miles later. Ds1 dropped a 4 pinter of milk in the supermarket this am (which split open and covered the floor,my shopping, me and ds2). I need to run off the tension Grin