Half Marathon Training Spring 2024

Room to grow is passive aggressive! Mine upped the ante yesterday and said my training load was optimal but my fitness was decreasing. And to manage my stress - not helpful

How rude of it! 😂

Mine told me Room to Grow this morning. Git.

I got an upgraded Garmin at Christmas. Previously I had a fitness age of 20, but this model won't put me younger than 39.5 (I'm in my 40s)
It's annoying that it holds back because of my BMI because I'm pretty solid with muscle (plus a healthy amount of coverage for my age)
My build is healthy, I'm just more dense than I look.

Bloody statistics!

Well done @Trickedbyadoughnut! I did think of you on the Annecy marathon day, was beautiful but a little too warm for running. I have Lausanne 10k on Sunday but a birthday party on Saturday night…let’s see how it goes! Weather does look perfect though, so hopefully that’ll help.

@chutneypig , it’s quite flat course. I know it’s going to be a big effort training. As I said, I’m not really bothered about the time but I’d like to attempt the challenge! Will definitely use a run walk strategy, that feels a bit less daunting.

As for the rude watches - who do they think they are?! I have the very basic Garmin so it’s not sophisticated enough to give me any attitude 😂

Well done all those who signed on for marathons, I don't think I'm dedicated enough to commit to the training for one (and as I'm pretty slow, the long runs would be a really long time).

@Lamontaine yes, we've snow too - to think the weekend before last was 29 degrees!

@chutneypig I fell out with my Garmin cause it was rude! and now I have a Suunto (so far, so polite). But it doesn't have the plans (or at least I don't think it does), so wouldn't be for everyone.

I signed up for another road HM beginning of October and hoping that I'll build strength for my trail HM in August and carry that through to the road.

I'm going to have a little gratuitous boast now ... I realised my splits for my HM were one second different for the first 10k and the second 10k! I know negative splits are the "ideal" but as it was getting hotter as time went on, I am really proud of myself! Sorry to boast, but most people I know "in real life" wouldn't really understand why I'm chuffed.

Snow @lamontaine! And I thought it was chilly here. That's very exciting about your marathon later in the year, is it very undulating?

I've fallen out with my Garmin as it keeps telling me my training is unproductive. I know it's because its 80/20 and HR based but still...

I entered the ballot too! Who knows…
I have however decided that I will do my local marathon in October. Not going to even think about a time, just want to do it.

I have a 10k race on Sunday and then my half the week after. Feeling a bit nervous as usual!
@gm2023 i did a plan on my Garmin last year and it was mainly time based - via coach Greg I think.

Well done all on the recent runs, London, bluebells and NT all sound wonderful! I went out in the snow on Monday - ready for warmer climes now (although now I say that it’ll probably end up being 25 degrees for my half and I’ll be grumpy 🙃)

I’ve entered too. First time ever. I’d like to do it in a few years so I might as well start now. I’ve entered my husband too (at his request). He’s active and goes to the gym but isn’t a runner. What are the chances he’ll get it now? 😂

Count me as one of the inspired ballot entries! I don't expect to get a place though and have no idea if I could even finish it but I thought, what the hell...

I've never entered the London ballot!
The odds of getting a place are on the low side and while it must be an incredible day, the logistics of it are a bit intimidating.

When I did mine, I went for a nice, simple buying the place. It was still more logistics than usual with travel and a hotel as I normally race more locally.

That may change in the future as my family gets older and life gets simpler, but not yet.

I have!

Haha wonder how many of us have entered the ballot for London 2025 afte being inspired at the weekend- I know I have!

I’ve been following Emily and Celina for a while on Instagram - they’re inspiring to me! My lovely friend did a sub-4.5 hour marathon today (I am so pleased for her - she is amazing and trained so hard for it) but I’m a long way off being able to run that fast. So seeing runners like Celina finish it at 8 min/km pace (5h44m) really encourages me. Despite never having run further than 5 miles I’ve entered the ballot. I think the chances of getting a place are so slim that it’s probably fine…! I’m going to be running my first 10km next month and a half marathon in October so if I do by pure luck get in then I’ll be in a far better position than I am today to do it!

I managed a good run yesterday. I was meant to do 6.5km but in the end I did a bit longer. A really nice, comfortable 5km followed by a 1km walk and 800m run home. Near-enough matched my PR over 5km without particularly exerting myself so I’m going to challenge myself to run with the 75 minute pacer at my 10km next month. I think it might be a bit ambitious so I won’t be disappointed to come up short but it would be great if I could pull it off. We will see.

Have put the Runna v. Garmin decision on hold until after my race. I’ve downloaded Runna and configured it for my half, out of interest. The plan looks good and achievable but I’m still not sure how to make it work with my running club. Maybe that’s a sign I don’t need it but having recently completed Couch to 5K, I love the idea of checking things off and moving through a plan. I don’t know why but I find that so motivating!

Hello runners and welcome to this thread @Christmaspiggyjack!

A friend shared this article earlier, which ties in with some of our recent chat.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/slow-running-benefits-training-b2531546.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3WXi6OnATMR3KevH7vE-NzzBgzH8YKBXrnzhY3oebi-HRd4QOs9pTbZ1A_aem_Aao2jrrv1An5vGx0bPu3nbTg6fzgaGJQ0vSIH2FhnZxIIxWj0vnPbVcbklnCqgxj4EDPsG0cKzKJIupmx96v0DYY

I watched a bit of the London marathon coverage too, although the interviews always make me tear up. I met three ladies when I was out this morning who were doing virtual London, all kitted out with their numbers on.

Sounds like some super runs this weekend @CatherineMaitland @Jumbojem and @chutneypig

We're on holiday on the east coast so I had a windy 16 miles along the seashore and back. It certainly blew the cobwebs away! I had a 1980s playlist to keep my spirits up and enjoyed it far more than I had expected - and even had some Strava segment PBs.

Hello runners and welcome to this thread @Christmaspiggyjack!

A friend shared this article earlier, which ties in with some of our recent chat.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/slow-running-benefits-training-b2531546.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3WXi6OnATMR3KevH7vE-NzzBgzH8YKBXrnzhY3oebi-HRd4QOs9pTbZ1A_aem_Aao2jrrv1An5vGx0bPu3nbTg6fzgaGJQ0vSIH2FhnZxIIxWj0vnPbVcbklnCqgxj4EDPsG0cKzKJIupmx96v0DYY

I watched a bit of the London marathon coverage too, although the interviews always make me tear up. I met three ladies when I was out this morning who were doing virtual London, all kitted out with their numbers on.

Sounds like some super runs this weekend @CatherineMaitland @Jumbojem and @chutneypig

We're on holiday on the east coast so I had a windy 16 miles along the seashore and back. It certainly blew the cobwebs away! I had a 1980s playlist to keep my spirits up and enjoyed it far more than I had expected - and even had some Strava segment PBs.

Welcome to the thread @Christmaspiggyjack! I'd be very pleased with that 10km time, so a great base to work from as the others have said. Everyone here is really helpful and supportive.

I'm so glad you had a run like that @Jumbojem - sounds like just what you needed.

Fantastic work @CatherineMaitland!

Have you entered the London ballot @BogRollBOGOF? I did, optimism over reality I'm sure but you never know?

I've had a couple of lovely runs this weekend. The new parkrun was spectacularly hard but beautiful and I had a lovely chat going round with a fellow tourist. Today my daughter wanted a run so we went to our local NT house. I'm very sold on enjoying the scenery at the moment.

@Christmaspiggyjack welcome and well done on the 10k! I'm mainly 10k training at the mo, and don't even have a half planned. Just historically on this thread from last year. That said I'm thinking about investigating a European half, Paris, Amsterdam or maybe a smaller city that is easy to get to. Anyone done any they recommend? Might need to be year after next as DC have GCSE/A level combo next year.
The women's London marathon was amazing, they are doing a full mara in around the time of my half PB! Also Emile Caress, in the men's brilliant! Can't wait for Paris Olympics coverage later this summer.

I had one of those dream runs earlier, didn't look at my watch. Lots of uphill through the woods which was a delight with the bluebells and wild garlic. Then dropped down into a gorgeous combe for the downhill. Forgot water or gel so grabbed an espresso and choc bar when I realised I could pay with my phone. Then back over a small hill to home. Only the first and last mile on tarmac. Felt strong, scenery fab and 8 miles of happy running (and many photos taken along the route😂).

The plans are what sold me on a Garmin, when I wanted more than my phone/Strava - well, that and a recommendation from my boss, who's a proper keen runner. I felt I wanted something for a bit of guidance. But I guess there are loads of apps and plans out there that would do something similar.

I ran for 2 hours yesterday but a loooooooong way off half marathon distance in the time. Too much disruption lately. Was a beautiful day though and not muddy off the road for the first time this year.

I'm enjoying the London Marathon coverage.
I haven't run London, but having trained for and run 26.2, has increased my appreciation of the event.

10k's a good, achievable base to maintain. It's straightforward to increase to HM when needed from that point, but needs little more than an hour to fit into life.

I did a 10k improver's plan over the winter to keep me going between events which was good for stamina. I've had a disrupted training block for my upcoming HM, but actually I've got enough long runs in and a strong base of workout runs which is what's needed.

Hi everyone,

I’m new to posting on this thread but have been reading for a while now. It’s so helpful to read what everyone else is doing and getting different tips.

I had my first 10km yesterday for a long time. I’d been running between 5 - 7km for a while and working on my pace; although didn’t seem to make much difference with it 😂

We had been on holiday the first week of the Easter holidays and since back I’ve really struggled to motivate myself and get used to real life again! So I thought the 10km would be terrible as I haven’t done much in the last 3 weeks. I did it in 63 minutes though so really pleased with that.

I have my first HM in October but I’ve decided to do some more 10km races in between.

So pleased you got your London run in @chutneypig! We're on hols now, so I had a seafront run last night and a couple of options for parkrun tomorrow (although have done then all before as we come here quite often).

@Jumbojem shame about the shoes. I had to give up on my favourite Saucony Triumphs because they tweaked the design every season until they no longer suited my feet.

@Lamontaine lovely to see you again! Sounds like your training is going well!

@gm2023 and @Ponks as a slower runner/jeffer I tend to go for distance based plans rather than time so that I know I can do the time on my feet. But @brooksghost's experience is making me think again!

That's really interesting to see the pace differences for you @brooksghost and is very encouraging. My HR plan has timed runs in the week and a distance for the long runs which suits me. I need to plan more in the week but as I'm on the slower side I found timed long runs weren't quite doing the job.

I got my London run in this morning @OhOneOhTwoOhThree but was a bit too over excited and struggled to keep my HR down. But I loved it along the canal, lots to see. I'm aiming for a new parkrun tomorrow as I'm nearly at my half Cowell - it's supposed to be a mile uphill so I haven't got any great ambitions on time 

I train to time and heart rate rather than distance.
I'm absolutely rubbish at running to a set speed. Even trying 5 miles at half marathon pace is really hard for me!
Last week, my average pace was 6:55, I don't think I broke 8:00 in training ever. Even any intervals I ran weren't even close to race pace!
Race day adds on speed for me. Going on my training up to the half, I should have run 15 mins slower (based on race pace intervals etc). I think my coach was banging her head!
For me, heart rate is the key, building that base of long slow runs, developing the VO2 and gaining stamina in the body.

Anyway, legs seem ok-ish after last weeks half, so I'm off to Parkrun tomorrow just for a trot round.