Anyone else training for a half marathon?

[golemmings]

I graduated from c25k earlier this year and ran my first 10 race in June. A friend has told me that I can do a half marathon in the autumn so I've signed up for one.

I'm a week into the training programme (using the rw one for 2:00-2:15 finishes) and I'm finding it really hard going.

Is there anybody else who is doing a half who wants to share moral support/abuse/highs/lows?

[NeitherShreddedNorSmug]

Hello humble, yes, I'm back in the UK now. But hope to be back in November - we can limp around together .

[humblebumble]

2:19 is brilliant! well done neither I've just got back from a warm holiday, so I am peeling nicely with the central heating on.
Have you left NYC?
I am training for another half in May but I have a sore knee at the moment so my training in sporadic. I've been told by the Dr to give up running ... but it will take me a little while to come to terms with that especially as I have qualified for the NYC marathon ...

[holmessweetholmes]

It's the back part of my right foot, at the side, below the ankle. Don't know what it is really.

[NeitherShreddedNorSmug]

Just noticed my typo - I was 2 19, not 1

Kiwi you are one speedy runner. Amazing time!

Sorry to hear of your injury holmes. Where does it hurt most? I'm stiffer today than i was yesterday, but I think that's partly sitting still on the flight last night.

[holmessweetholmes]

Thanks for the wishes, Neither, but unfortunately I'm injured . Could hardly walk for days after my 2 hr run last week, and although it feels better now, I don't want to risk another long run for a while. Don't know whether to give up on doing a half altogether or try an even longer, slower build-up for another one.

[KiwiPanda]

Hello all! Big weekend for half marathons wasn't it? New York looked freeeeezing, neither!

I did reading in the pouring rain and very chuffed with PB (1 hr 31'43)

[NeitherShreddedNorSmug]

Thank you humble! It was really, really cold all through the run today. DH and I both ran, although he is still injured from his marathon last year and waiting for knee surgery. I think it was pure will power that worked for him - he finished in 2:03, which is considerably slower than his usual HM time, but still faster than me. I did 1:19 and change, which was a PB - I also PB'd 10K and 10 miles so am very pleased and sore.

Good luck with your run holmes - I think you are next

[humblebumble]

Neither - good luck for Sunday!

[holmessweetholmes]

Kiwi - just saw your post ! I can only dream of running that far or that fast!

[holmessweetholmes]

Yay - well done ido! My half is on 7th April and I've been finding it hard to increase my distance but I've just managed a 2 hour run for the first time, so am hopeful that I'll manage the half (barring illness or injury).

[NeitherShreddedNorSmug]

Yay! Lovely to see the thread is still going!

I'm doing the NYC half on 17 March. Have done very little since my disaster in Baton Rouge, and hoping the rest will have done me good. I did a 4 mile race on Saturday, and am signed up for a 5k on Sunday. And have signed up in a weak moment to a "run at least a mile a day everyday in March" thing on FB.

I'm also going to be in the Woolly Hugs team for the 10k in May .

Well done Ido. Kiwi - I am of your training and speed.

[Idocrazythings]

Well, I did the b. half. Was going to pull out as I'd hardly trained but decided not to as I felt like a quitter. I decided even if I walked for half an hour or so it was better than not doing it at all. I really surprised myself and managed to do it in 2hr 25. The last miles were not very pleasant but the rest of it was great. So glad I did it . Hopefully once the weather improves well all cone back to the page a bit more.

Good luck kiwi with your half

[KiwiPanda]

Oh hello how brilliant this thread is still going! Everyone still running?!

Im training madly for Reading half .I'm up to doing 40 miles a week. Did a 20km race last week in 1'28 and am now aiming to do a sub-90 minute half at some point this year. Not at Reading though

[Idocrazythings]

I'm giving it a go this weekend! Not sure how ill go but I know I'll really regret it if I don't do it

[holmessweetholmes]

ido - the White Horse Half is in Grove in Oxfordshire. It's in quite a hilly area, but goes round the hills, not up them, so is in fact very flat! A good one for getting a PB apparently. Have you decided whether to enter yours yet?

[NeitherShreddedNorSmug]

humble I was down in Baton Rouge running the Louisiana half with a friend. The course was lovely- mainly flat and around a lake, and the temp great - about 39 when we set off and low 60's at the finish.

There was a great atmosphere, there was a 5K and kids' race on Saturday, and the marathon and half yesterday (we met some women at breakfast on Saturday who'd done the 5k as a warm up for the full marathon the next day ). They stared both races together yesterday, then the marathoners peeled off at mile 9 or so. The winning man overtook me when I was at mile 12 of my half .

I set off too fast - my friend is faster than me, and was determined to get me round in 2.15 or so (slower than her usual time) - and had no energy. We'd been up at 5am for a 7am race start, and it was the wrong time of the month for me. That meant stomach cramps and numerous loo stops, and as the queues were long I lost a lot of time standing in line (I haven't yet downloaded my garmin to check my moving time, but it will be a lot less than 2.44). My left leg/foot often goes numb after 3 miles, and feeling comes back again at 5 (it's a back/nerve problem and there's nothing really to be done about it), but when that happened yesterday I felt like I just couldn't pick my foot up off the ground.

So all in all a bit of a rubbish run, but I enjoyed visiting the South and had a great time with my friend even though she's a better runner than I am .

There were several people wearing their medals on my flight out of BR last night, which was also great to see (mine was safely packed away).

[humblebumble]

Hello!
Nice to see people back on the thread. Well done for everyone for keeping running. I ran 7 miles yesterday which was great and I have a 10km to run on Sat. It will be the anniversary of my first "race". So I am looking forward to recognising how far I have come in a year.

neither where were you running? It was a perfect day yesterday. Sorry you were limping? what happened?

I am not doing Manhattan. I thought I wouldn't be ready, I looked yesterday as I briefly considered entering anyway .. and it is already full, so I can't sign up.

I am jealous of you NY Half. I loved running it last year. The thrill of running through Times Square was something I will never forget, fantastic feeling. The hustle bustle at the start line (it took me over 30+ mins to cross it) is something to prepare yourself for, it is very busy and the loop of central park is busy.

Let me know (PM) if you are up for a run sometime. I would love to have an excuse to do a loop of CP. I haven't done it in a while!

[NeitherShreddedNorSmug]

Hello! Glad to see the thread is still going.

I did a half yesterday - lovely course and great conditions, but I had an awful run - everything that could have gone wrong did, and I limped home in 2.44.

humble are you doing Manhattan next week? I am thinking of volunteering, but haven't yet signed up (there are still spots).

I'm doing the NY half in 8 weeks. Hopefully better than yesterday.

[Idocrazythings]

I'm here!! Trying to decide whether to do Brighton half in feb as I have hardly trained as I injured myself in oct. it's seeming heaps better though so I'm thinking ill do it. Where is the white horse half?

[holmessweetholmes]

Hello - anyone still around? I was on this thread near the beginning but dropped out when I missed my October half -marathon due to illness . My running took a bit of a dive after that, but I've signed up for the White Horse Half in April and am following a training plan on the Adidas mi coach app. How is everyone else doing? Do some of you have races booked for Spring? Must go back over the thread and check!

[exoticfruits]

I was surprised that I did it! My DS was very good and came with me giving encouragement all the way.

[Idocrazythings]

You'll be more than fine exotic if you can do 11 you can easily do 13; I think the most I did before my first one was 9 (I did properly train too, unlike this time?). I think it was a revelation for me at exactly what your body is capable of- it truly is just a mind thing- just realising that yes, you can do it. The atmosphere and crowds will carry you- promise

[exoticfruits]

I have never done one before and am training for one in March. I managed nearly 11miles yesterday - so am elated that I will manage it by then- if I keep up the training!

[Idocrazythings]

Merry Christmas everyone- thought I'd check in as have had to have a little running break after doing two halfs in a month and straining something in my butt! It's getting better now luckily and I've started some short runs again. Hopefully it will be ok as I have a half in February!

I got some lovely new earphone for Christmas, took them yesterday for a 'test-run' which was great.

Hope to see you all again soon here

[humblebumble]

neither I didn't get a spot on the Half in March, but I am not that surprised as I got a spot last year. The Verazzano Half has been rescheduled to the end of April, so I think I will go for that one instead. I am toying with the idea of doing the Half at the end of Jan as well around CP and perhaps doing the guaranteed entry route like you for next year.

Merry Christmas to all! Not sure there are many reading this now.