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Original poster

Anyone else training for a half marathon?

439 replies

golemmings · 23/07/2012 22:25

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?

OP posts:
KiwiPanda · 29/09/2012 14:50

Hey guys, hope everyone is well. Quick question for those who have followed actual schedules - what are you supposed to do the week before the run? I know what I should do for the actual week, but usually on Sundays I do a long run. That'll be exactly one week before (i.e. tomorrow) and I'm not sure what I should be doing..?

NeitherShreddedNorSmug · 29/09/2012 15:01

Hi Kiwi, I have a RW plan which has 3 different schedules for beginners, intermediate and experienced runners. Beginners and experienced are supposed to do 10 miles the week before the run, intermediate 6. So you have choice!

KiwiPanda · 29/09/2012 15:40

Thanks! That's a bit strange though - why do beginners have to do the same as advanced but intermediate less??

Someone at running club this morning told me that it takes a day per mile after long runs to recover. Sounds a bit old wive's tales type stuff to me but I do feel the long runs quite a lot after so was thinking of maybe doing 7-8...

humblebumble · 29/09/2012 16:00

Interesting as I am following the Hal Higden Novice 2 program and I am scheduled to do a 12 mile run either today or tomorrow (Novice 1 is 10 miles). This is exactly a week before my half.

More confused?

onedev · 29/09/2012 16:19

The runners world programme I follow for a half states doing 11-12 miles 1 week before & then it's easier (3-4 miles) a few times in the final week with the final run a few days before. I think that's the beginners programme.

NeitherShreddedNorSmug · 29/09/2012 16:46

I think the intermediate one is about building up speed, so you do shorter, faster runs, while the beginners is to build up endurance. I guess the experienced is about doing both?

I followed the beginners for my first half back in January, which was about building up the confidence that I could go that far. I've been too lazy to follow anything else since, now that I know I can manage the distance Grin

Original poster
golemmings · 29/09/2012 19:36

Im down to do 10k tomorrow, 4mi Tuesday, 3mi Thursday and sat then my hm Sunday. It's the runners' world programme for sub 2:15 finishes.

OP posts:
humblebumble · 30/09/2012 02:40

I did 12 miles today. I feel a bit sore now. I managed an okay pace averaging 9'17. I wonder if I will be able to finish the half next week in under 2 hrs. I did 3 hills, which I didn't mind but obviously my pace slowed down. I think next week I am going to run it and try not to think about the completion time too much.

NeitherShreddedNorSmug · 30/09/2012 03:44

Well done humble!

When are you picking your stuff up? I will PM you with my and DH's numbers when we have them. He will be 1.45 ish if he runs his usual pace, and will hang out at the finish and wait for me once he's got his breath back, had a drink and got the bags Smile

Lexilicious · 30/09/2012 08:33

Hi all Forgive me, it has been 14 days since my last confession run.

I have been really lax, went back into work after the GNR and didn't do any shake-out runs at all. I haven't put my trainers on for two weeks and feel so guilty.

I've been snivelling for the past week with a cold and have felt utterly exhausted, have had a huge appetite for stodgy food, and just want to sleep sleep sleep.

No chance of me doing the 10k today that's on locally, I don't think you can enter on the day anyway. If I'm going to do the canal hm on 11 Nov though, I need to get on with the last six weeks of some sort of a training programme. My colleague at work is doing a race in March so will be up for some of the midweek training with me (I write her reports, so she'd better!!!)

Just coming on here and confessing has made me about 75% more likely to take my kit into work this week and put some routes in the calendar. :)

Original poster
golemmings · 30/09/2012 08:57

Oh Lexi... . Actually I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that it takes one day per mile to recover from a race so 13 recovery days sounds perfectly reasonable.
I'm off to do 10k shortly at a 9:20 pace apparently which is somewhere between my 10k and 10mi pace.
I've missed 2 runs this week: Tuesday because we got back from my dad's late had been up most of the night with DS and came back to a Baltic house (not heating) which had been empty for a few days and I wasn't prepared to take any clothes off to get into my running kit. Yesterday I just failed to get out. But I weeded the veg garden and took delivery of a new tumble drier so we can actually dry some clothes. (no sunshine, no heating, broken tumble drier and even the immersion heater has gone so the airing cupboard is cold. It's been a challenging week).

I'm feeling absolutely knackered atm. too tired to get out of my own way and feeling wobbly and breathless when I walk up hills. Might go and find some guiness. I've not felt like this since DS was born last year. I think its mostly stress though.

OP posts:
Lexilicious · 30/09/2012 10:14

It's the season change, I tell you. I always get a stinker of a cold when it suddenly goes cold-humid.

Original poster
golemmings · 30/09/2012 11:56

Well I ran. Hampered by attitude-fail. Too short and too slow. 6.01 miles at 10.03 pace. Should have been 10k at 9.20. Think I'm bored now. At least I went.

Wondering how on earth I'm going to manage next weeks runs. Tuesday will have to be after kids in bed and before tea. It's my first day back at work. Can't go lunchtime;have a client meeting in the pm but not convinced that i'll have any energy by half 7...

Infact I'm trying to figure out how to fit 30hours of work into my life. I have runs to do, dens to make, cakes to bake Disney films to watch...why do mortgage people not understand this?

OP posts:
onedev · 30/09/2012 13:12

Well done Go & well done with the confession Lexi Grin

I agree the weather is having a negative impact & I haven't been out nearly as much this past week as I'd planned to. I'm on a mission this coming week to eat healthily & run more as I'd like to lose some weight to be ready for the gluttony & laziness that is December Grin

NeitherShreddedNorSmug · 30/09/2012 14:02

I haven't run all week either . But I'm going out in half an hour or so to do 10 again. I know once I get out Ii'll enjoy it. it's the winding myself up to get out that's hard Grin.

I have another half booked in January, so am thinking that I'll go back to a training programme to give myself some structure/goals. Is anyone else thinking that far ahead?

humblebumble · 30/09/2012 15:15

golemmings don't be disheartened, I hope you feel better soon. I had the rotten cold and breathlessness last week, just think if you have it now then you will feel better by next week.

Lexi Grin

onedev I'd like to lose a bit of weight before Dec too. I am a little afraid that once I do this half I will fall off the exercise wagon.

Neither which race are you doing in Jan? is it the Manhattan Half? I am considering doing it, but it hasn't been posted yet. I need a goal. I have no very little discipline without goals. I am not sure when I am going to pick up my number, I haven't thought that far ahead. Maybe on Sat or my DH might drive me on the day so I think we may have time to do it on the day. Good luck with your run today.

I am feeling okay today. Except I had a rubbish night's sleep with the DC. My youngest is not adapting well to his new bed.

NeitherShreddedNorSmug · 30/09/2012 18:12

humble - I'm doing the Louisiana Half with a friend who lives in Alabama. And should get a place in the NY half in March because I've done the 4/5.

I did Manhattan this year in the snow (there was an overnight storm the night before, and it snowed throughout) and thought it was never going to end. The second time up Harlem Hill was a killer! I didn't actually get to finish, I was at the 72nd transverse on the west side and they funnelled us all into the finish instead of letting us run the lower loop and finishing on the east side because it was becoming a blizzard. I'd done over 12 miles by then according to my garmin in 2 and a half hours, so didn't fight too hard with the course marshals Grin. That was what made me sign up for Brooklyn, because I wanted to finish a half (even though with all the slipping and sliding I'd probably run at least the distance, and a bit more Grin). And once we'd done those two (DH has done them all as well), it made sense to do the other boroughs...

We've been fund raising throughout, so doing the extra runs has helped to add to the total Smile

KiwiPanda · 30/09/2012 18:42

Snap with the weather change cold! Actually am lucky cos I just seem to have the sniffing and sneezing but not feeling ill variety, touch wood.

I did 8 miles today but set off much too fast so decided to make a virtue of it and do 5 miles quick and 3 miles slower. Quite enjoyed it after having heavy legs and lethargic for a week. Now tapering begins in earnest! Pass me the cake Smile

KiwiPanda · 30/09/2012 18:45

Oh golemmings am totally wondering how I'm going to keep up running when I'm back at work (one week to go!) but am planning on lunchtime runs as much as possible. Can go with DH as we work in same place which is nice. Specially as I'm now verging on being faster than him Grin. I think it's best to go earlier in the day especially in winter as god knows we won't feel like it after a full day at work and then it's dark and cold ...

I've got a 10 mile race two weeks after the half, then I'm going to have to find some other races to enter to keep up the momentum. I think that's the way to do it, no?

NeitherShreddedNorSmug · 30/09/2012 18:46
Idocrazythings · 30/09/2012 21:43

Hi everyone! I thought I'd pop in now my chest is finally better! Youve all been very busy- not only do I have lots of running to catch up on, but lots of reading as well. I did two 6km runs last week which went quite well and I signed up yesterday for the Brighton Half which is in Feb- not sure about training through winter though (being an Aussie and all)- hopefully it will be a mild one. I'd really like to get one in before the end of the year?

Lexilicious · 01/10/2012 14:01

Hey, anyone seen this? Wonder if she's a MN-er!

frazzlerock · 01/10/2012 14:05

Hi, I'm joining this a bit late I see, 12 pages in...

I am in a bit of constant training at the moment. Just did the Bristol Half yesterday, have Cardiff in two weeks then Run To The Beat two weeks after that.

Are any of you doing any of the above?

onedev · 01/10/2012 17:14

Thanks for linking to that Lexi - a great story.

Welcome Frazzle - you sound a hard core half-marathoner! Where's Run to the Beat?

Lexilicious · 02/10/2012 14:07

Ran 4.5 km before lunch - my phone didn't pick up GPS for more than half a km, but from then on I ran at 6:38 min/km which is ok for the first run in 16 days Blush

I even managed to make myself do it without a training partner - but my colleague will have her kit in on Thrusday which is my next run. According to the training calendar it should be "4-5 miles of fast and slow, bursts up the hills not down" which will be interesting to try to plot around here.

I would love to do Run to the Beat! (here, onedev I would put my name down for next year's but we are TTC so at some point in the coming year I am going to have to reduce my serious running, and who knows when I will start up again after DC2.