Half Marathon Training Spring 2024

How's everyone getting on? I've not posted in ages, currently on the injury bench with a calf injury. It has stopped hurting when I walk now but a mile in it starts to hurt and then the following day I can barely walk again. So I'm sitting it for as long as I can bear now before I try again, and I must remember to wear my calf guards when I do.
Bit gutted as was due to start cross country again in a couple of weeks, and the first course is my favourite.

I'm trying to psych up to do a long run...
I might do loops so that I don't feel stuck on one huge lap in the middle of nowhere.
I did 11mi last week.

With gels you need to practice with different brands, during runs, to see what suits you.

SIS gels work best for me (they're quite thick and gloopy and difficult to swallow, but I can keep them down). Hi-5 gels are much easier to drink on the go, but my body doesn't tolerate them and thus they make me explode. This is something you need to find out in training runs and not on race day!

You also need to practice taking them, as walking for two minutes for each gel is far from ideal in a race. They are designed to be taken on the go and you shouldn't have to slow down at all.
Eg - if I'm doing a 10k (the shortest race in which I would take on fuel) then I'm running 6:30-min miles and can't afford to be dropping pace, so I need to be able to take the gel while moving quickly. For me, the trick is to open it and then suck it a tiny bit at a time. It might take me the full mile to take on the whole thing.

@gm2023 well done! I did my last really long run yesterday. My half is 2 weeks today too. I managed 12.1 miles in 2hour 14mins. Quite pleased with that and it’s told me that I’ll manage on the day. I’m not sure whether to do another long run next weekend, like 10/11 miles or whether to do around 8… then keep it steady until the 6th!

I got the High 5 Aqua Gels in orange. They’re not as thick - almost like a thick orange juice which I tolerated more. I took one at around 30mins and the other at 8miles. It does say on the box to take every 20mins but I think that would be too much for me. I managed to run the whole 12 miles but I stopped just twice for the gels.

Thank you for all the GNR advice!

Did my final long run this weekend before my first half marathon in two weeks! 1.5km warm-up and then 15km at a pace that surprised me! Now not sure what to do for race day.

I averaged 7:47/km, which is about the pace I was managing pre-injury. Found a run-walk interval that really seems to suit me. My best 10K time is 7:41/km average so I’m thrilled to have maintained a similar pace over an extra 5K.

I’d been quite set to run with 3 hour pacer (8:31/km pace) and enjoy the experience but now I’m wondering if I should try to stick with the 2:45 pacer (7:49/km pace) instead. I am not sure whether I’ll fade in the final 6km though! But I suppose even if I do I’ll have “banked” a bit of time to get the sub-3 finish I’d really like.

Also - does anyone have any advice with gels too? I’ve just started taking them but my 6km and 11km times - when I had the gels - were quite a bit slower than my other times as I had to walk for a couple of minutes to not choke. I run/walk anyway but not sure I can actually run and drink the gel! Any tips gratefully received, as I think this is an area I could gain a few mins!

Gosforth and Jesmond are very easy to get to the start line from, so you'll have no issues there.

And don't get me wrong, the GNR isn't hilly at all (mildly undulating and then a sight climb up the John Reid Road) - it just isn't pancake-flat, which is why it's not necessarily a PB course in the way that, say, Manchester is. But as a steadier runner anyway and if you're not counting by the seconds, this won't be a big issue I'm sure. You'll love it - the atmosphere on the day is amazing!

Thank you!

So the new plan is to stay in the Gosforth/Jesmond area as a kind friend has offered to put me up. Looks to be a couple of miles from the start line so while I can’t say I’m hugely keen on adding to my daily mileage - it will be OK if transport is tricky on the morning.

Accept that it’ll be quite horrible trying to get back afterwards but price I am willing to pay to spend some time with my lovely friend. Really looking forward to spending some time with her.

I am, as previous posts indicate, a slow run-walker so no worries about not smashing a PB. I want to have a nice day and finish feeling strong with a smile on my face. My first half marathon race is in about 2.5 weeks and I am aiming to finish it in 3 hours - fingers crossed!

My original target was 2:45 before a break in my training due to injury put a spanner in the works. I’d be delighted to end up around there next year but I am happy to be at the back of the pack! I am so glad I’ve realised running and fitness is not just for fast, athletic-looking people.

I think elevation gain is around 134m for the GNR and the only half marathon I’ve done (just a training run) had 184m so I’m not feeling too worried yet… Pleased to note my race next month is flatter though!

So I’ve accidentally ended up with a place to do the Great North Run next year! Does anyone have any experience of this race? Where’s best to stay?

Stay in South Shields so you can walk back to your accommodation after the finish. Getting metros to the start line in Newcastle from Shields in the morning is a million times easier than trying to get back to the Toon after the race ends. There's various hotels near the seafront but they'll book up early, so I'd get in now if you can.

The race itself is incredible. Not a PB course in my experience (too busy, and also not flat) but still the most fun half marathon I've ever done. And I've done a lot!

So I’ve accidentally ended up with a place to do the Great North Run next year! Does anyone have any experience of this race? Where’s best to stay? I wasn’t expecting my ballot application to work out!

Well done!

I mainly run off-road which is good for nob avoidence.

I had one a few years ago yelling out of his van while I was having a walk break. Something about not being very fast. I was on the 3 mile run home from a fitness class having done the class and run the 3 miles down to it.
I was running better than him sitting on his arse powered by an internal combustion engine!

I went out and did 10.5 miles today. I found it HARD. Whereas I did 9.7 last week and could have kept going. I think I maybe I started off too fast, my first mile was 9.44 which is a bit quicker for me. Also I’d had yogurt, granola and fruit at 7.30 and an apple about 11 and went out at 12.40 so possibly wasn’t fuelled up enough. It took me 1hr 56 and I did a good bit of walking towards the end. Now worrying whether I’ll be prepared for the HM!

Grrr why do these men (because IME it always is men) think it’s OK to behave like this (rhetorical question). Idiots.

Hello @Fit4FunPTLondon I’m not usually this bad tempered. Welcome to the best thread on MN!

I ran 10 miles yesterday. I never thought I could run 1 mile, let alone 10! A little bit tired today of course.

I chose a flat loop route to get the distance in, but it was kind of dull from a running point of view. I think I prefer a bit of up and down.

I also got heckled for the first time - a man - but of course it was a man - yelled "You should get a boyfriend to keep you fit" at me half a mile in. Twit.

Long run done for the week. 9 flat miles. Legs finally feeling more alive after last weekend's exertions.

Congrats to all on the race results and long runs to half marathon size. :-)

It sounds stupid but today for the first time I felt like I was running rather than jogging, even when I was going slowly. Maybe all those glute strength exercises are beginning to make a difference.

Thank you! Haven’t run since my half-marathon on Sunday but I’ve been to Bodypump today and hoping to do 5-6km tomorrow. Next long run at the weekend - hopefully around 10km. Then just one really long run to go until race day! Going to practise running a little faster on my next few runs to see if I can get more used to it for my half.

I've signed up for my half marathon in 4 weeks! I have been training for it over the summer, I just needed to actually enter.
£50 was pretty eyewatering but being trail with a simultaneous ultra, they do really good snack stations. Not bargainous, but it does perk the event up.

Having just raced a lumpy 10mi, I'm on good form.

I did a recovery run today. A bit dead-legged which was to be expected. I'm still musing over my long-run strategy for this week. I want to get a couple of hours of exercise done, but I'm not hung up on what method as recovery is more important at this point. Even a long walk would be of benefit.

Well done @BogRollBOGOF , sounds like some great racing for your family.
@gm2023 and @Christmaspiggyjack sounds like your training is going well and you are in a positive place for race day.
I'm thinking about doing a half, just as a long weekend run, probably include refreshment stop part way. It's been an age since I ran 8 miles plus, or even over 10k to be honest. Not sure if that's a silly idea but I need a challenge and no races planned before I start XC again in mid Oct. Although what I really need to do is some hill reps for that!

I'm feeling like I ran a half marathon, which to be fair I have raced 13.9mi this weekend

Both races went well. I tried not to go mad on Fri night, but it definitely wasn't easy run mode. I wasn't my freshest yesterday morning, not helped by randomly clunking my ankle on Sat night while twiddling it on the sofa.
I did well. There was just one hill on the two laps where I broke into a walk, I managed to plough up the others which was good, and I came in around my usual time.

I've had a nice rest day today. I've got circuits tomorrow. I might do a short recovery if all feels decent.

The DCs ran well. One sub 25, one sub 30. DS2 also belted out a new course best at parkrun in sub 25! They enjoyed being able to do an actual race as a change from parkrun.

My race is the same day as yours and the cut-off time is 4.5 hours. I’ve got a lot of confidence I’ll finish it now and given my race has 3 hour pacers I feel confident there will be others on the course at the same time as me! I’m going to do an 8-10k this weekend and then finish up my plan with another long run (16km, perhaps) followed by a 10k. I want to see if I can still run a fast-ish 8-10k this weekend, as I’m wondering about a controlled fade strategy for the race (where I make a real effort to run 10k in a time that’s good for me and then do a halfway switch to slow Jeffing until the end).

@gm2023

Good for you! It’s always lovely to feel that sense of accomplishment. Regardless of time, you did great just to go out and complete it. I sometimes get so caught up in the time thing, I’m doing the Glasgow Half Marathon on 6th October and switch between just wanting to complete and then aiming for a time.

I did a 9.7 mile run on Saturday. My knees were sore afterwards, I have good trainers, stretch etc so I’m not too sure what else to do. I’ve seen exercises on the nhs website for knees/runners so will incorporate those!!

Hope everyone had a good weekend -
especially if you did the Great North Run!

I ran my first half marathon yesterday! It was just a training run/walk so I took it very slowly and comfortably. No matter how slow you go, it’s still a long way! Moving time was around 3:02 so I need to find about 3 minutes on the day to come in under 3:00, which is what I’ve been aiming for since my piriformis injury. The race route is flatter than the one I did yesterday so I’m hoping that will help - plus another four weeks of training and crowd support on the day! Next year I will aim for a better time (2:45-ish) but for now I’m just happy my body works well enough to allow me to cover this distance.