Half Marathon Thread continues .....

Hello I am jumping back in - I have been off MN for ages . I did the New Forest HM in September - a really bad time due to weight gain and my meds but the route was lush and I can recommend it - also flat/ a bit of a decline in places. We ran with ponies at one point!

pink - it is unlikely that you will be last...and if you are, it will be a massive achievement to have got round. You really do have plenty of time so just go one run at a time. I use the great run training site - its free and it will give you a calendar to get you to race day prepared.

My next is Hampton Court in February. It was favourite this year. really friendly and flat. I did it in 2.26 I think and I would love to beat that.

Hoping it's ok to join you? I got into VLM, so as part of my training, I've signed up to the Worthing half in February. Before I got my acceptance, I hadn't run in over 3 years, and the most I'd run was 5k.

I did my first ever 10k yesterday (combination of walking and running) and now need to build up to 10 miles, which I'm hoping to do by christmas. Any advice greatly appreciated!

tri the tired feeling is awful but the more long runs you do the easier it will become.

Thanks random & hrh my pace on the longer runs is slower than my 5k runs, and I feel comfy when “in the zone” I’d be around the 2.5hr mark for a HM I think based on current form. My body just really felt tired after last two long runs but I’ve also been painting DDs room this weekend life doesn’t stop just because mums had a long run luckily my DH does long bike rides & runs so understands the flopped out feeling too!

Tri I would maintain a weekly long run, adding distance week after week is a psychological boost if nothing else. I felt tired too during the training process, I think it’s inevitable. I ran 4x a week and aimed to run between 20 - 30 miles a week. I would ditch one of your swims and increase mileage.

pink forget the treadmill and get outside - running indoor is no way comparable. You need to know how your body will cope with pounding the pavements and adjust training accordingly. Unless you live in the big brother house, no one is watching and no one cares! Sign up for your local park run - it’s 5km/3m which will be more than manageable if you can already do 2m - the atmosphere is always really good and it will really help your confidence.

The other thing is that most of your long runs should be very "easy" paced - so you can chat in full sentences throughout. I was trying to do long runs at 8 min/km at the fastest with my HM target at 7 min/km. For longer than 2 hours make sure you eat - and generally make sure you're eating enough to recover.

Thanks randomuseful to hear your experience- I think I will try getting in a third 5k run as I can squeeze that in I think with some planning around the kids/work, & plan in a “rest” type weekend every month as I can feel my joints need it!

I did my 2nd half off 3-4 runs a week and found both the training and the run itself much easier than the 1st which I did off 1 midweek plus a long run.

Long runs varied from 10k to 12 miles and I had a reduced mileage every 3-4 weeks which made a massive difference.

I have come to the regretful conclusion that I won't be doing any full marathons until I am a lot faster - I don't have time to do enough long runs at my current easy pace and do life stuff.

Hope the injury gets diagnosed and fixed Rankellior

Had a good early run this morning my longest yet 14.5k, but boy did I feel tired an hour later. Luckily DH took kids out for few hrs so I got some recovery time. I had been trying to do one mid week 45min run and one longer weekend run adding 0.5-1k a week to get me up to HM by Feb. But I’m finding it really tiring (&legs stiff) so wondering if I can switch to long run every other weekend but try do 3 X 5-10k runs over the week in between so the total distance is the same but hopefully I’m not SO tired every Sunday post run? How do other people do the training & keep normal family/work life going with out feeling shattered? I also swim 1-2x a week with lots stretches in between as I get really stiff

Excellence to hear! Thankyou for the replies.

Wow rankellior a full marathon that's impressive!

Checking into thread 2

I’ve still not run since last weekends HM - I have got an appointment to get my injury checked out as it’s not healing but have bought some new trainers as an incentive to get started again.
Going to try another HM in March next year I think - I wanted to graduate to a full in April but think that’s optimistic at the minute. May rethink for later in the year if I can get my mojo back

Checking into thread 2

I’ve still not run since last weekends HM - I have got an appointment to get my injury checked out as it’s not healing but have bought some new trainers as an incentive to get started again.
Going to try another HM in March next year I think - I wanted to graduate to a full in April but think that’s optimistic at the minute. May rethink for later in the year if I can get my mojo back

Hi pink! You have loads of time you will definitely be able to do it. I would look for a good training programme and you'll surprise yourself. Good luck!

Hi, Thankyou for replying.
I’ve been running on and off for years really, but never long enough for it to develop properly.
I started out using couch to 5k, completed that and stopped.
This time I’ve just got on the treadmill and will watch a box set and just run as long as I can. Probably not the best way, but it’s worked up until now. I think if I can get a playlist together, then that might help with the mental block and get me used to running in earphones etc.
I don’t feel comfortable running outside yet, maybe if I build up my distance and find a large loop that’ll give me the confidence....

Hi pinkstar - and welcome. You’ve plenty of time and you’ll be fine. I completed my first HM 3 weeks ago and didn’t really run before I started training in July. I was somewhat fit from being an avid boot camp attendee and HIIT training but for me running fitness was/is a completely different ball game.

Have you found a good running program to follow up to the race?

Hi! Hoping for advice. I’ve (stupidly?) agreed to a half marathon to help support a friend. I can run for 2 miles, so far, rather comfortably, which I’m well aware is nowhere near 13! I really think it’s mental block rather than physical, as to why I stop.
It’s in March, is this even going to be possible?
I realise I’ll have to put in the work, just don’t want to be last .

Well done on the pb randoms. I've had a couple of decent runs this week everything is ticking over nicely and smoothly. Myou next race is 10k in two weeks but I'm not feeling any pressure which is lovely. Just enjoying it, trying to run regularly, and challenging myself with hills and speed.

I'm dipping in and out of this thread-miss some people like pikachu though

Well done random - great park run.

Hope you feel better soon rosettes.

First run post half (wasted my only child and chore free opportunity with a sniffle and feeling pant) and only went and got my sub 30 parkrun I've been hunting since Christmas Eve! Did it by 16 seconds too and definitely wasn't flat out so have suddenly got faster. Best start on my 10k target next!

Hi all - seem to have forgotten the hellishness of my HM and considering signing up for another one - that is if I can ever shake this cough! Not been able to even attempt a run since the race on 8th Consoling myself that it can’t possibly last forever but it feels like it at the moment!

Not ROI mammy I'm in Scotland. The downhill is good but there is a 2km uphill section part way through which is less enjoyable

Think I will do parkrun tomorrow. Need to work on my (lack of) speed. Did Newcastle one last week when visiting family, but it was very busy so didn't work as hard as could have done!

I’m impressed purple - I need to find a 10km because I’ve all but spluttered to a stop!