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Original poster

Half Marathon Training Spring 2024

695 replies

xsquared · 20/10/2023 15:23

The other thread got full, so I'm starting a new one to keep us motivated.

How is everyone doing?

Went out earlier today for a 8 mile run, when it was a little drizzly, but then got completely soaked as Storm Babette did their stuff! I'm still glad to have got out though.

Since completing GNR 2023, I've been training for a 10 mile race next month with Hal Higdon, as well as running 2 of the XC fixtures for my club.

I found out earlier this week that I got a place at a HM race in January 2024 through the new ballot system, so I will start training for that soon.

OP posts:
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Original poster
xsquared · 31/12/2023 13:43

Welcome to the thread @CatherineMaitland. Not too late to join at all.

With trail, it's less to do with pace and the challenge here is to be able to cope with the uneven terrain as well as hills.

If you are in a club, try running in some of the cross country races, as it will give you the practice of running fast on a range of surfaces.

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Jumbojem · 31/12/2023 13:28

Welcome @CatherineMaitland I think any running event is fine, I'm not even entered into any at the moment! We are here for motivation, moans and any running questions people may have.
If you are more or less up to 10k now, including hills, I think you will be more than ready for a half by June. Just steadily up the mileage rather than big jumps. I got comfortable (ish, they were never easy) with 10 milers before my first half as for me "the wall" hits at mile 9 so wanted to mentally be able to get beyond that.

The only thing you'll need to think about as you start to run longer is fuel, so post 10k you might need to start trying gels/haribo, find what works for you to keep you going in the second half of the distance.

CatherineMaitland · 31/12/2023 12:59

Is a June half marathon too late to join this thread? I started running early last year and am just about to get to 10km with a Garmin coach training plan thingy. I'm just beginning to get the hang of conversational pace running or whatever we call it, everyone seems to have a different name for the same thing!

I've entered a half marathon for June ( a trail one with hills - I've always included hills in my runs so I'm not bothered about that) but if I can't do it for any reason, I can swap to a 10k on the same day, which makes me feel like I have a safety net. Always interested to read/learn from what others are doing as I had no running background or experience prior to starting in 2022. I couldn't run for 100m without stopping to walk when I began.

brooksghost · 27/12/2023 20:23

Well done everyone on keeping the running going.
I did my first ever Christmas Day parkrun on Monday...it's only taken 10 years to get there! It was a lot of fun and lovely to see so many people out and about.
I've entered the same half marathon that I did last year; I got injured just before and could barely walk...so this year, I want to go back and hammer it! I think it was a 1:37 last year so a few minutes off that would be good. However, I'm training like a nutter for triathlons so doing less running than last year. Long slow zone 2 runs are going well; my average speed is getting quicker whilst my heart rate remains the same.
Good luck to all those with races coming up and I hope the training goes well over this festive period.

Original poster
xsquared · 27/12/2023 20:07

Well done @BogRollBOGOF on your year of training and getting those faster times. The consistency really is key to better performances in races.

I am still following the Nike Club HM plan in preparation for a HM at the end of January, but I'm really supposed to be starting the London Marathon plan for April!

Didn't think I'd get in to London, so I'm in two minds of how I should run the HM in a few weeks time. Ideally, I'd like to race it to beat last year's time but not sure whether I can afford to rest too long after that!

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OhOneOhTwoOhThree · 27/12/2023 19:35

@OhOneOhTwoOhThree - Kew HM, March

@bakewellbride - Feb HM

@brooksghost st - HM, April

@chutneypig ypig - local HM, April

@gm2023 2023 - TBC

@Jumbojem - TBC, possibly a trail HM

@chutneypig - autumn HM

Feel free to add!

OhOneOhTwoOhThree · 27/12/2023 19:32

@OhOneOhTwoOhThree - Kew HM, March

@brooksghost - HM, April

@chutneypig - local HM, April

@gm2023 - TBC

@Jumbojem - TBC, possibly a trail HM

Feel free to add!

OhOneOhTwoOhThree · 27/12/2023 19:29

Hello everyone, I have been a bit feeble recently, but took myself out on a 7 mile trail run on Saturday instead of going to parkrun (I didn't set an alarm and didn't wake up until 8.30am - I could probably still have got there but it would have been a mad rush). I really enjoyed the run, and my Christmas morning parkrun with DS1 (who is super fit, but not a runner, and has been complaining ever since about how stiff his legs are). I'm off work until 8 Jan, so will get a few more runs under my belt to get back into the habit. Life and work have both been busy and stressful recently and I know I manage better when I run and swim more regularly than I have been doing.

Well done @Jumbojem! Great gains and hope you find a trail HM. I think I have previously recommended the Norfolk Coastal Path HM, which I is usually in September - I've run it once as a race, and several times as long training runs when we've been up there on holiday.

@BogRollBOGOF that sounds like an excellent year of training - very structured and disciplined of you!

I'm signed up for the Kew HM in March, and the Boudicca Way 50K in July. Will need to find a few other events to coincide with long training runs.

I'll start another post with our events for others to add to.

Jumbojem · 27/12/2023 15:19

@BogRollBOGOF that sounds perfect! I'm striving for something similar in 2024, i.e structure.

Planning a trail half at some point just need to find a suitable one. XC series runs until March.
Local 10k is June so will do that and try for a PB.
Right now I would just like to run without wind, rain, big puddles😆

BogRollBOGOF · 27/12/2023 08:33

xsquared · 26/12/2023 23:19

Well done @Jumbojem on your pbs and for beating last year's time.

Comparison is the thief of joy. You may or may not ever run as fast as your running friends. Maybe set your Strava activities to be visible to you only, if you're not comfortable with sharing.

As you know, you have to mix things up and be able to run above, on and below your target race pace. Slow runs are just as important as your higher intensity speed sessions.

I've really focused on more structured training this year for the first time and have seen the benefits for it conpared to bimbling around and being ad hoc.

Jan- Apr was marathon training, which led to my longest ever runs. I kept up with speed doing parkrun, but really kept the long runs down below my usual levels.

After a more spontaneous/ recovery phase including a HM, I then went on to a block of 5k training using Garmin coach. That led to my two fastest 5k times.

I then had a block of hill/ distance based running that I structured myself that was towards a trail half marathon.

I'm now breaking the back of winter running on a 10k Garmin plan. I'm not too seruous about the actual outcome because there's no suitable event to target it at, but I thought it would be good for keeping structure over the winter, and keep a good HM training base while boosting my parkrun pace.

I have run the most consistently this year, my longest runs, my fastesr paces and most critically still enjoyed it and not aggravated some persistent niggles into injury.

chutneypig · 27/12/2023 07:48

That's fantastic @Jumbojem! When I was doing a 80/20 plan I always used to put zone 2 in Strava just to be clear Grin

I found out last week that my local half is on in April so I'm aiming for that. I was going to go back to my 80/20 plan but honestly don't think I could manage the 60 minute long run. So I've found a two runs a week couch to half plan I think I can stick to. Started that this week and I think it'll do the job. I've got an autumn half booked so hopefully can build off of that with a more targeted plan.

Original poster
xsquared · 26/12/2023 23:19

Well done @Jumbojem on your pbs and for beating last year's time.

Comparison is the thief of joy. You may or may not ever run as fast as your running friends. Maybe set your Strava activities to be visible to you only, if you're not comfortable with sharing.

As you know, you have to mix things up and be able to run above, on and below your target race pace. Slow runs are just as important as your higher intensity speed sessions.

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Jumbojem · 26/12/2023 22:22

How's everyone getting on over the festive period? Did my local boxing day run and super chuffed to knock 2 minutes off last year's time and a personal best on every Strava segment. I'm hoping this is all the easy runs paying off as it does feel hard posting slow runs to Strava when my running friends post fast ones. I know at heart it's the 80:20 rule and the slow runs are where the magic is supposed to happen.

Jumbojem · 16/12/2023 23:18

How did it go @Trickedbyadoughnut ? Must have been warm in a reindeer onesie!

Know what you mean @chutneypig most of my runs are 4 -5 miles tops at the moment. Two of my running buddies got great parkrun PBs today. I'm happy for them but I seem to be stuck, not running longer nor getting any faster. Not sure what to aim for, but also don't want to lose my mojo as quite enjoying running at the mo.

Trickedbyadoughnut · 15/12/2023 12:51

Got my first race since 2018 tonight (yikes that went quickly!) - 10k. Will be running in a reindeer onesie with a friend - as in, we each have our own reindeer onesie, not the same one like a pantomime horse 😅- so no time goal, will probably be last, just hope to complete.

I've done 9k twice in training, but I'm still feeling a bit nervous!

chutneypig · 15/12/2023 07:21

Well done @bakewellbride - 10 miles always looms large in my mind so getting two under your belt is great.

I keep debating on goals @Jumbojem. I'm seriously at the point parkrun feels like a long run! But a goal does help. I've not done much this week, my Garmin keeps telling me I'm strained! So my plan is to hopefully stagger to Christmas, rest and hit it in the new year. I don't know whether to focus on 5k improvements or go for a very basic beginners couch to half marathon.

Jumbojem · 13/12/2023 16:23

@bakewellbride congratulations on getting to 10! It's good to hit that milestone.
I was scrolling back through my Strava feed and I started the year on runs of about 5 miles and it was March before I'd got up to 10 milers. I'm back stuck at the 5-6 mile runs feeling like long runs now.

bakewellbride · 10/12/2023 14:11

Sorry I've neglected this chat. Managed my second ten miles yesterday but it was hard!

Jumbojem · 10/12/2023 13:09

Well done @OhOneOhTwoOhThree I keep setting my annual goal as 1000 miles and I'm always way behind by August so give up already! I have managed 1000kms instead. Try again in 2024 I guess.
Need to do a longer run today but tired and groggy as OH has given me his cold. Would rather curl up with a Christmas film! At least it's stopped raining!
What's everyone thinking about for 2024 goals?

chutneypig · 10/12/2023 07:32

Well done on the 1000 miles @OhOneOhTwoOhThree! Very impressive!

It really sounds like the HR training is paying off @brooksghost. That's encouraging me to give it a go again next year.

I'm not loving the bucketing rain either - very disruptive. I've got all the parkrun hi vis drying at home after yesterday!

brooksghost · 09/12/2023 22:34

@OhOneOhTwoOhThree 1000 miles sounds really impressive! Well done!

I had my fastest zone 2 run today so I'm happy with that progression. It would have been a lovely run had it not bucketed it down...I sloshed home after 90mins looking like a drowned rat.

OhOneOhTwoOhThree · 09/12/2023 13:19

Oops, hope I haven't killed the thread.

I've managed all the week 1 of my training plan runs this week - only 14 miles in total but a good baseline pattern to get into. I'm going to try to maintain this as a holding pattern until the training starts properly next month.

Today's parkrun took me to just over 1000 miles run this year - which I don't think I would have done if I hadn't joined this thread (or its predecessor). Thank you to all of you for the encouragement and accountability.

OhOneOhTwoOhThree · 03/12/2023 10:12

Well done @Jumbojem! Hope your legs are better soon.

Grey and wet here but no snow. Winding myself up to go for a run after another coffee. I had a slow parkrun yesterday as it was a bit slippery in parts.

Jumbojem · 03/12/2023 10:02

Morning! It was freezing yesterday, and @chutneypig dryrobes or similar are hugely popular at XC. I was warm enough though with my running shorts , leggings and joggers on top. I didn't do much of a warm up as didn't want to remove my layers. Then went straight from the finish line to grabbing my flask of coffee and heading off to watch DS as his race was immediately after me. Consequently my legs are dead today.
Anyone have snow? This is where winter training is difficult! Just frost for us, and rained over night so must have warmed up now.

chutneypig · 02/12/2023 07:36

Sorry I missed what you said about time @gm2023 - I can say with absolute confidence there were a lot of people at Royal Parks this year around the 3 hour mark, including me! The ballots quite tough though for that, I'd been trying to years to get in.

That's sounding more doable when you put it like that @Jumbojem. I hope you don't freeze at XC. It's probably no help today but that kind of thing is why a got a dry robe. They definitely do the trick.