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Original poster

Half Marathon in April

56 replies

Istherehopee · 02/12/2025 16:11

Hello everyone, I've just signed up for a half marathon in April and am lready feeling nervous and second guessing myself.

I am by no means a runner - started running this year using couch to 5k in May but been quite hit and miss. Got into a good flow by August but have not run much since. Ran a 5k last week in 36 minutes.

Is this feasible?

I'd quite like to run it in 2 hours or less but I am not a fit person and I don't know, maybe this is all a bit ridiculous for me. Any advice/help would be much appreciated!

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Spottyblobby · 17/04/2026 15:09

That’s amazing well done! I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it & thank you for sharing your journey. Along with everyone else I would take it easy this week, gentle stretch of the legs but nothing too hardcore. As for what to do next, I would just keep the base fitness up; a long run once a week (8-12k) an easy run once a week & some sort of training run (hills/sprints/ intervals etc) if you do that you’re only going to keep getting fitter and when the next event comes up that excites you sign yourself up! Would totally recommend parkrun too, I’m not one of those that goes all out every week & hits PBs because I’m lazy & hate running uncomfortably fast but I love the community aspect of it.

Incognitoburrito88 · 13/04/2026 19:38

@Istherehopee well done!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I would echo what the others say - a few days off - maybe even up until the weekend then try a gentle run. Not sure what to advise regarding future goals - HM is a bit of a neglected distance for me - I mainly do them as a stepping stone to running further! A ten 10k could be really fun. There are loads of free training plans out there - you could try following one for 8wks or so and then see how much you have improved. For now just enjoy wearing your medal!!

Whataninterestinglookingpotato · 13/04/2026 13:15

Well done! Glad you had a good experience with your first half!

I would second taking it easy this week, maybe a gentle run later in the week to keep your legs ticking over, but nothing strenuous. Do you go to parkrun? That’s a free and fun way to stay motivated and you can keep challenging yourself to get faster, or try different course that are different levels of difficulty. Or see if there’s a local 10k in a month or so that you could sign up for. It would give you something else to aim for and now you’ve done a half a 10k will be a walk in the park.

there’s usually loads of events about so just see what takes your fancy.

Fizbosshoes · 12/04/2026 22:55

Well done, and thanks for updating. Glad you enjoyed it 😊I would take this week easy and then maybe start a new plan, or enter another race, next week to keep momentum.
There generally aren't many half marathons over summer, but could aim for another in the Autumn?

If you keep a base level of running and increase gradually like you're proposing to, it won't be too much to build up to that distance again

Original poster
Istherehopee · 12/04/2026 22:23

Hello I just wanted to come and update here as I did my half marathon today!!! Woohoo! I did it in 2 hours 41 minutes - so nowhere near what I optimistically hoped for 4 months ago 🤣 - but I feel pretty pleased and happy especially as I was worried I’d find it utterly gruelling and awful. I actually really enjoyed it and just walked and stopped when I needed to.

I really don’t want to lose what I’ve done so far and I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations about how to keep running and what I should do? Would you think I should run this week?

i was thinking I could try and run every Weds 12k for a month and build up each month by 1k and then in addition run a 10km on a Sunday and maybe a shorter run during the week as well?

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ACynicalDad · 15/03/2026 08:03

I love half marathons as i can easily step up from 5ks in a bit if a parkrun addict and I’d recommend that as a really good base, then add in a couple more varied sessions a week.

mamakoukla · 15/03/2026 03:16

woohoo, go you! 16 km! First time I trained for a half marathon, I would be wiped out after long runs over 15 km. Would be under a blanket for a few hours, so tired! Second time around, didn’t feel tired afterwards. It takes time and consistency to get used to the exercise load.

Original poster
Istherehopee · 13/03/2026 19:50

Just ran 16k today and felt completely drained and exhausted the whole day but fine. I just had to go and sleep. Going to aim for 18k next week.

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Istherehopee · 11/03/2026 21:37

Spottyblobby · 11/03/2026 16:43

I would say you are well on track, lots of people don’t do more than 10 -12 miles on their longest long run when training for a half & just let race day energy & vibes get them through the last bit so 14k a month out is well on the way there. Pace will only come if you practice running faster but if those slow runs are starting to feel even the tiniest bit easier than they did at the beginning you know you are 100% making progress.

Thank you! This makes me feel a better! Can I ask you, how would you plan the rest of my long runs if you were me?

I was going to attempt 16km this weekend and then 18km the week after and then back to 16km. And then race but not sure that’s the best!

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Spottyblobby · 11/03/2026 16:43

I would say you are well on track, lots of people don’t do more than 10 -12 miles on their longest long run when training for a half & just let race day energy & vibes get them through the last bit so 14k a month out is well on the way there. Pace will only come if you practice running faster but if those slow runs are starting to feel even the tiniest bit easier than they did at the beginning you know you are 100% making progress.

Original poster
Istherehopee · 09/03/2026 18:53

Thank you. Mine is on 12 April. London landmarks. I’m hoping it won’t be that hot on the day. So far I haven’t needed any fuels but I’m going to attempt 16k this week so might try one then.

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Fizbosshoes · 09/03/2026 10:13

Sounds like youre making great progress, hopefully the weather will be more pleasant for long runs now .

How long until your race? Which one is it?
If youre planning to take any gels/fuel during the race, its good to practice those beforehand.
I did a HM yesterday, I took a gel around mile 8.5. The weather was perfect - overcast and about 8 degrees (but a bit chilly waiting around at the start)

Original poster
Istherehopee · 07/03/2026 20:12

Spottyblobby · 07/03/2026 15:40

You are doing so well, well done for sticking at it, what amazing progress 😊

Thank you! I was feeling a bit demotivated today because although I’m thrilled to have done 14km, I wish I was a bit further along by now. But for a long time I was really just running a 10k very slowly every week. My speed hasn’t gone up much.

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Spottyblobby · 07/03/2026 15:40

You are doing so well, well done for sticking at it, what amazing progress 😊

WeJustWantYouToBeHappy · 06/03/2026 19:03

Brilliant! That’s what the first one is all about, the goal is to complete it and feel good.

Original poster
Istherehopee · 06/03/2026 18:51

Hello just wanted to give a little update. I ran 14km today. First time. Took me 1 hour 42 minutes so not fast but did feel good!

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GiveafuckGertrude · 18/01/2026 17:26

I’ve ran half marathons and a marathon, and no matter how many runs I went for I never really got any faster. I’m a healthy weight and do loads of other sports, and I’ve ultimately come to accept that I’ll just never be a fast runner - I was ruining every run for myself by kicking myself for being slow. I’ve let go of caring about my pace or what other people think and now I just run at a pace that I (somewhat) enjoy

ThePoshUns · 18/01/2026 17:19

That’s great , nice steady pace well done

Original poster
Istherehopee · 18/01/2026 16:49

Just another update, I ran another 10k today just under 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Am going to go out for a run later next week and try and build up a bit more time.

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ThePoshUns · 15/01/2026 09:38

You can if you’re looking for a particular time, but time on your feet is what you need to focus on. Ideally get up to 2 hrs at whatever pace to build your stamina.

Original poster
Istherehopee · 15/01/2026 09:25

Thank you! Im trying to run 3-4 times a week. Mainly 5-6km and then my long run.

At the moment, I’m running them all at the same pace which is slow enough that I don’t stop and have to walk but I guess I should also add in sprint sessions or try and run a bit faster in some of them?

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ThePoshUns · 15/01/2026 09:16

Well done! I would look to increase your long runs by a mile each week. When I’ve trained for half’s the longest training run I do is 10 miles, the crowds will carry you the last 3.
I look at it as a 10 mile run with a parkrun tagged on the end. Good luck!

Original poster
Istherehopee · 15/01/2026 09:10

Archymum · 15/01/2026 09:08

I love this so much. Keep going! Slow, fast, variable pace, whatever it is, it's all running and it is all amazing!

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Thank you!

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Archymum · 15/01/2026 09:08

Istherehopee · 15/01/2026 09:02

Just popping back to post another update. Yesterday I ran 10.54km in 1 hour 14.

I’m slow. But this is the first time I’ve run 10km in my life ever!

I love this so much. Keep going! Slow, fast, variable pace, whatever it is, it's all running and it is all amazing!

Original poster
Istherehopee · 15/01/2026 09:02

Just popping back to post another update. Yesterday I ran 10.54km in 1 hour 14.

I’m slow. But this is the first time I’ve run 10km in my life ever!

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