Half Marathon Training Spring 2024

Thanks both! I’ve found the Women’s Running one but don’t think it’s for me as I’m not sure running for 1 hour 45 minutes is going to be enough when I’m looking at a 2:45-3:00 half! But it’s a good starting point and I might be able to adapt it. Thank you. Here’s the link if anyone’s looking - https://www.womensrunning.co.uk/training/how-to-train-for-a-half-marathon-using-time-not-distance/

I haven’t got a Garmin (I use an Apple Watch) but wondering if an entry level one might be a good idea for me for the plans. I’ve also been looking at Runna. I run twice with a running club and don’t want to change that but I think I can sign up to Runna and say I want to only run twice a week so it gives me two extra workouts on top of my club runs. I just want help building up to longer distances sensibly so lots to think about! Such a minefield.

Going back to the earlier conversation about form, I did some stride repeats from my Garmin plan yesterday, and boy, my calves and hamstrings ache this morning. Clearly I don't use them enough in my everyday runs!

gm2023 - I'm also running by time via Garmin plan and Coach Greg. I have to run around not getting chronic fatigue flare-ups so by time seemed more flexible to me. But sometimes I don't know if I am making enough progress on it.

@gm2023 Women's Running has a beginner half marathon plan based on time, you can download it from their website. I did a mix of that and their other plan based on distance, as I wanted to get up to 12 miles before the race.

Hi everyone!

It’s been ages since I’ve been on this thread - sorry!

Well done everyone on your recent running successes, excellent work on smashing those PBs! 👏

I’ve been following coach Jeff’s plan for my half in 2 weeks and was beginning to feel like I’d never be able to speed up, but, it does seem like it may be paying off, I did a 15k practice run this week and found I could hold my goal pace well by planning in some strategic walk breaks. I’ve decided to do a 10km race next weekend as a practice run for the half, fingers crossed it goes ok or I’ll just want to give up.

I don’t know why I keep entering races. I get stressed and anxious about the time and always say ‘never again’ when I’m at the start. Then something happens and before I know it I’m signing up for another race!

That sounds interesting! I’ve got my first (ever!) 10K next month (as preparation for my first half marathon in October). I’ve not run that far before but I’m up to 8km now and feeling good. I am hoping to make some good progress over the next month with a view to following the 75 minute pacer around the course. I originally thought 80 minutes was more realistic for me but I’m consistently running 12 minute miles at the moment so I am going to mark 75 minutes as my A goal. If I fail then I fail - it’s good to have something to aim towards. B goal is 80 minutes and C goal is finishing it with a smile on my face! I’ve run just under 9 miles this week with another run to come at the weekend. I’ve come a long way since starting Couch to 5K in October!

I am down to do 6.5km tomorrow but I’m finding it better to run by time rather than distance. I find it easier to count minutes than miles! Does anyone know of any time-based plans - ones that tell you to run for, say, 60 minutes rather than 5 miles? I’m looking at options for my half, although was quite set on using a Run Disney plan.

Well done @brooksghost and @Trickedbyadoughnut , phenomenal achievements to take so much off your PBs!

I have been in a bit of a lull after my half marathon last month. Still pottering along but I miss the focus of a target and I've felt quite leaden on my evening runs. Have a 10k booked in which is part trail so that will be interesting.

I'm just on the train to London now @OhOneOhTwoOhThree so planning for tomorrow morning. That's a fab idea on the tube station photos. I do like a good photo while I'm out.

I had a good interval session yesterday but more importantly I didn't try to talk myself out of going.

I'm still not 100% sure on my new shoes either @Jumbojem. I've been toying with getting a second pair as I've always had two on the go because I kept a pair at my flat when I worked away. I probably could get away with one pair now but can't help thinking I'd need to clean them more. I've kept one pair a bit tidier for packing for travel. But they've definitely lost their bounce.

The Circle Line run sounds great fun! Speed repeats for me when I stop lying here on my phone.
New running shoes arrived, wore them indoors all day felt fine. Wore them on a run last night and the ball of my foot started to feel iffy towards the end. So typical it didn't happen before I'd worn them outside. Worried I should have gone a half-size bigger, they are already a size up from my usual shoe size though and the same size as my other Brooks shoes.

@chutneypig have you had your London run yet? I ran 5 miles along the circle line after work this evening. I had to rely on my phone for navigation at times and stopped at each station to take a photo so it was more of a meander than a run but good fun to explore new bits of town and see how it all fits together above ground. I will start at this evening’s finish point next time and do the next section.

Super well done @Trickedbyadoughnut and @brooksghost !

Super running @Trickedbyadoughnut and @brooksghost ! Well done on smashing your PBs!

Congrats @Trickedbyadoughnut !

Congratulations!

This is incredible! Well done!

Brilliant work @Trickedbyadoughnut especially in that heat!

PR bell - ding ding!

Half marathon done - 17 minutes off my PB for a 2h20! Delighted. Also delighted that I didn't need to go to the loo as I sweat buckets in the heat although probably only the last 5k was over 20 degrees. Zone 2 training and daily yoga for strength paid off!

Wow @brooksghost another 7 minutes off what to me is already an inconceiveably fast time! Congratulations

Wow wow on chopping 7 minutes off your best, @brooksghost !

A change of scene can be just the trick @CatherineMaitland - woods are always good. Hope it calms down for you.

Sounds fun if challenging @BogRollBOGOF, hopefully the weather will continue to improve for it.

It's so frustrating to feel like that @Jumbojem, so I'm glad to hear yesterday was better. I wouldn't say I'm feeling much better running at the moment, just that I'm feeling OK to get out, which is a huge improvement. I'm sure pace will come with time now. On the form side I found the stride repeats Coach Greg had in his Garmin plan to be good.

I used to live in London but didn't run then so I'm keen to make up for it - I've been jealous of @OhOneOhTwoOhThree out in London  It makes such a difference for me if there's something to look at. My runs last week were on the most dire roads. I like the sound of the Circle Line run, might even be quicker than the tube at times!!

You constantly amaze @brooksghost - that is a phenomenal time!

My parkrun was not stellar on Saturday, too much on grass but very pretty bits. I suspect I'm shuffling too and need to work on stretching my calves as well.

That’s brilliant - well done 🎉

I ran my half marathon today. It's been a tough week so getting to the start line was good.
I stuck to my race plan, fuelled it well, paced it well...and chopped 7 mins off my PB! I felt good the whole way round and managed fairly consistent mile splits. Over the moon with a 1:31

Glad you felt a bit better today @Jumbojem.

DS2 had some running coaching a few years ago. The two main things seemed to be high knees (so you hit the ground a bit harder and bounce off again faster), and using your arms when sprinting to propel yourself forward. I am not very good at doing either.

14 very slow miles today, I went swimming yesterday and probably overdid it a bit as I had no energy today, despite it being lovely conditions out. Looking at the splits, I was fairly consistent so I suppose that's OK.

Glad you had a good one @CatherineMaitland

@chutneypig hope you get a London run in this week.

Finally a good, strong-feeling run for me.

I think I shuffle a bit too @Jumbojem but I'm afraid to make changes in case I make something else worse. & sorry you haven't been feeling well.

I've noticed in the last couple of years since doing and improving at weights based strength work that my glutes can now get tired from running rather than running from my calves and hamstrings so much.

An easy way to make a difference is to do a few minutes of dynamic stretches/ drills in your warm up to activate your muscles, and a short strength workout with stretches in the cool down. That's often simpler than having to make time for a conpletely different work out.

Good luck with the 14 miles @OhOneOhTwoOhThree

Ok felt a bit better today. BUT a question, has anyone worked on their form with success? I think I shuffle run, the amount of times I trip over my own feet or virtually non existent rises in the pavement. When I lift my knees more it is easier to maintain a faster pace. I also noticed when I ran with a fast friend she was def raising her knees much more than me.
So I was trying to do this on my faster intervals today. However I think my quads/glutes are weak so it's hard to maintain the pick up. I guess I need to do some strength as well as focus on the pick up during speed work?
Anyway, the weather was absolutely perfect today, sunny no wind but cool. Hope everyone else has had a good weekends running.

@Jumbojem I either run along the river (nice and flat), or go for a loop around the City (which can be quiet early morning or in the evening) or around Green Park/Hyde Park and the Serpentine. The volume of people can be a pain, especially when they are walking at a snail's pace and stopping to take photos but I have learned to avoid some places. There are usually loads of other runners, especially now as it's close to the marathon. Sometimes I just ask Strava to generate a route for me.

A friend of mine's running club does a run around the circle line, from station to station which sounds fun - I think it's about 14 miles.

I'n sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well on your runs, hope you get back to normal strength soon.

I did a country park parkrun this morning so nice and trail-y, then did another couple of laps to get to 6 miles. 14 on the plan for me tomorrow!