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Original poster

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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mammymammyIRL · 04/07/2017 12:54

I'm also wondering about podcasts as I think the music helps me to get my pace up and wonder would I slow down a lot if I was listening to a book or podcast? I suppose the only way to know is to try it out

mammymammyIRL · 04/07/2017 12:52

Welcome minesapint you sound like me - slow and steady runner.

Welcome bambisims are you getting all four runs in every week?
I start work at 7.15am, 15 mins drive from home and not home until 6pm, I prefer to run in the morning but doing longer runs that means getting up very very very early!

minesapintofwine · 04/07/2017 12:46

Thanks pika

I only ever listen to music when I run but sometimes get a bit bored. Tempted to try a podcast but think it would be weird.

bambisims · 04/07/2017 12:34

Oh can I join? I'm currently training to go from 5k to half marathon. I'm using a training app which is 13 weeks long and I'm on week 6... currently it approximately tell you do do 4 runs a week. 3 being 30-50mins ish long (some are interval training based) then you do one long run on day six. Last week (so week five) it was 80minutes. I ran just over 8 miles in that time. So as others have said I think you may need to aim to up your longer run.... anyway hope you don't mind me joining! I'm not running anymore now this week as I have a marathon hike at the weekend so don't want to risk injury before then! But I'll be back to it next week!

Original poster
Pikachuwithyourmouthclosed · 04/07/2017 12:23

Welcome Minesapint, and well done on the 5k. I find I can cope with uphills, but downhills are a bugger on my knees.

I didn't run today but I did do a 60m aqua running class - it's really good, designed for injured runners (which I'm not, but it's a great low impact way of strengthening my running muscles).

Tomorrow I'm going to aim for around 14k I think. Anyone got a good podcast suggestion for me?

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minesapintofwine · 04/07/2017 11:24

Well done sirzy

minesapintofwine · 04/07/2017 11:22

Can I join? Been running for 3 years I'm quite slow but steady. I signed up for my first half in June but wasn't ready and over trained so deferred my place. Then took a month off to get my head together. Went back running last week and signed up for Cardiff half in October Shock.
Doing it with sil who is fast but feel good knowing we'll start together.

I run my first 5 k after the break this am. It had some gruesome hills! Took 38 mins which is slower than my usual but hoping to build up distance and pace to followork. Hoping to do half in 2.30.

Good luck to everyone on the thread you are all my motivation now Smile

mammymammyIRL · 03/07/2017 21:08

A walker I presume sirzy Smile

Sirzy · 03/07/2017 19:59

3.51 was the last finisher of the half I did yesterday!

mammymammyIRL · 03/07/2017 19:57

Looked up previous times from the half last year & quite a few were over 2:30!

mammymammyIRL · 03/07/2017 19:56

I'm on runkeeper too pik I've opted out of a 5 mile local hilly run on wed eve as I'm afraid that I won't be able for it again like half a few weeks ago Blush finish up bootcamp this week & then I'll get into training properly

revolution909 · 03/07/2017 11:15

2:30 is ridiculous!! My time was 2:20 and I was bang in the middle according to the results!! I can only dream of a sub 2:00 time!

converselybranded · 03/07/2017 11:01

2:30! that's absurd.

Totally agree not to do anything new or different on the day or days leading up to it.

I use isotonic gels on the way around as they contain water but I know they can upset people's stomachs. Always try out a long while beforehand and get your body used to them.

Sirzy · 03/07/2017 10:59

Yesterday was 2.43, my fastest is 2.33. All 3 have had lots coming in after me!

GandolfBold · 03/07/2017 10:58

I agree hydration is more important, which is difficult because I hate water.

Well done on your HM Sirzy. What time did you do? I am concerned that I have been studying my HM route this morning and read that after 2:30 the Marshalls start packing up!

Sirzy · 03/07/2017 10:52

I did my 3rd half marathon yesterday - was my toughest yet.

3 more booked in before the end of the year

Original poster
Pikachuwithyourmouthclosed · 03/07/2017 10:46

I always read rules about what you should and shouldn't eat before and after running. I've found the best thing for me is to listen to my body and find what works for me. And don't do anything too new and different before a big race (like @mammy up-thread struggling to digest carbs her body wasn't used to).

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revolution909 · 03/07/2017 10:20

I have two, late August and late October. From nutrition, I think I don't eat enough (but that's just a hunch). Before my HM on Saturday, I ate tons of carbs (pizza, scones, crisps, and a cider before going to bed!) On the day I had a banana and a cookie. Heartburn is a big issue for me so I'd rather eat the day before or a few hours before a run. In my experience hydration is more important.

converselybranded · 03/07/2017 10:01

I think maybe carbs before the run (night before) and protein afterwards to rebuild muscle?

Garmins and Strava are wonderful! I love the stats and studying my form on Strava - don't care about anyone else on it just want to improve myself.

Original poster
Pikachuwithyourmouthclosed · 03/07/2017 09:56

Here's the list of who's running when...

Gandolf - late August
Pikachu - Sept 3rd
MammyIRL - Sept 17th
Shortaris - early Oct
Revolution - when's yours?

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Original poster
Pikachuwithyourmouthclosed · 03/07/2017 09:52

Thanks revolution. I use an app called runkeeper to track my runs on my phone. Have used it for ages. Works okay for me but I've nothing to compare it with.

Gandolf - I will typically have a desert spoon of peanut butter on a rice cake before a run (with butter sometimes). Eggs and dark green veg afterwards (with rice if I'm hungry and trying to avoid snacking).

Thinking back to when i was running longer distances i think i used to have a protein shake before a run. Might try that again once I've got my distances up.

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GandolfBold · 03/07/2017 09:18

So...nutrition.

What are people eating to fuel their runs? I feel like I m falling into the trap of trying to eat 'healthily' and I am actually not eating enough to fuel the runs which is why they are feeling sluggish.

Have read a lot about carbs vs fat fuelled runs and feel more confused than ever!

revolution909 · 03/07/2017 05:54

A Garmin is a Fitbit with GPS enabled (the watch has unlike some fitbits that use the phone GPS). Strava is an app that a lot of runners use. I use it to keep track of my runs and then share them on Facebook, but you can also use it as a "GPS recording" app.

Original poster
Pikachuwithyourmouthclosed · 03/07/2017 00:41

What's Strava? What's Garmin?

Turns out I can't count so my 14k to bootcamp and back was actually only 7k.

Still, better than nothing.

Am feeling slightly more on track...except for not actually running particularly long distances. Details.

Also need a new podcast. Finished Adnan Sayed and not as taken with the soldier in series 2.

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GandolfBold · 02/07/2017 21:52

The problem is I just stare at it and see how many miles I have done. On Friday I did my best run ever because I wasn't able to.xonnect to GPS so could only time.