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?

[Idocrazythings]

I've only been doing flat runs- there are no hills here! But I try to do the odd stair if I see it! Hopefully that will see me through!! Is interval where you go fast then slow etc? I tried that tonight between the lamp posts, I did it for my last mile before my cool down walk and I actually really enjoyed it. It wasn't as difficult as I imagined it to be so next time I might try to do it for 2 or 3 miles.

[Idocrazythings]

So is that 4 of us doing the GNR??

[golemmings]

Evening!

I did a temp run today (3 mile tempo run in a 5 miler) and half way around I had an epiphany.
My training times are all based on nice flat road runs. Most of my training takes place in the hills (we live on the edge of the aonb so my standard 5 mile run includes about 400ft ascent).

And it occurred to me. rather than failing to make my target road pace whilst running up hill, through long grass and ducking under trees etc... why don't I have a new training pace for the two different environments.

So I've sat down and worked out my on and off road pbs.

Todays 3 mile tempo run (10:42) which I was failing to achieve a road target pace of 9.47 on, was actually within my hills target pace of 10:26-10:48. YAY!!!

I'm much happier now and I've managed 2 out of 2 runs this week.

[onedev]

Well done! Really wish we had more hills around here as that is worrying me!

[onedev]

Ido, I think that's interval training yes - when I try that, it always seems to be when I'm on a slight downhill! I swear it's not deliberate but always works out that way so think that's my bodies way of rejecting them

[KiwiPanda]

Ido try fartlek running? That's where you go at gentle pace then do random sprints so eg pick an object (lamppost) and run fast to it then back to normal speed. Unlike intervals it's more random and quite fun Classic intervals is more like 1 km fast, 1 km slow (although if you don't have a gps you can also do it by time, eg 1 min fast, 1 slow or 5 fast, 5 slow or 1 fast, 5 slow...!

Issy I'm aiming for between 1 hour 40 and 1 hour 45. Haven't done a half before but quite a few 10kms recently and my 10km PB is 46'10 so should be do-able

[Idocrazythings]

Yes kiwi that's what I did last night! Only for a mile though and I enjoyed it- I think it took me back to the c25k days which I enjoyed doing (even though it was torture!) sore legs after it though- did not make my early morning boot camp class fun this morning!!!

[Issy]

Kiwi: "I'm aiming for between 1 hour 40 and 1 hour 45." Well you will have plenty of time to pick up your medal, change, get some lunch and then wave me through the finish line.

I was on a short run this morning and the back of my right calf felt painfully tight. Any recommendations for exercises to relax the muscles? I can't google it because I've no idea which muscle it is - the tightness is in the centre of and about two thirds of the way down my lower leg.

[Lexilicious]

OK, some of you sound like you really know what you're talking about!! So. This morning I have done a 5k route out the back of my house on an old golf course. It's a mile end to end but if you do all the innyouty bits round the edge (and all the ups and downs!) it adds a third basically. I'm looking at my pace on Strava and I was pretty consistent whether going uphill or downhill or flat. So the grade adjusted pace is all over the place.

Now, I think that means that if I can run the same speed uphill as I am typically doing on the flat, I could be doing better on the flat, yes? I don't know how to make my legs do that though. I always had a problem (in a former life as an army reservist) with pace length when doing loaded marches, it felt like my hips just didn't want to let my legs extend out very far in front and I always had to trot to catch up (v bad form).

[Lexilicious]

I've just spent ALL my pocket money on the very last hotel room anywhere near Durham. minimum 2 night stay, the cheeky buggers.

[onedev]

I'm going to aim for 11 miles today - haven't gone that distance in recent training so hope it's ok.

Hopefully it'll be a lovely hotel Lexi

[onedev]

I managed my 11 miles - yeah

[KiwiPanda]

Top work Onedev! I need to do that tomorrow. Then somehow stay awake for the rest of the day while looking after my DDs, with DH at work..

[onedev]

I'm still lying on the sofa .

My boys made me do hill sprint races with them when I got back & I could barely walk it (they're only almost 4&6 & it's not exactly a hill, but it felt that way at the time!).

[onedev]

Should say have fun tomorrow.

[KiwiPanda]

onedev I went to running club this morning and trained really hard. Then DD1 made me run races with her to the train later and I could barely keep up. And this girl is NOT fast . Need to have a very hot bath and apply tiger balm ASAP or tomorrow's run is going to be more like a hobble..!

[onedev]

I'd like to join a running club but at 36 I imagine they'd just laugh at me . Enjoy your bath & all the best for tomorrow.

[golemmings]

enjoy your 11 miles Kiwi - calm before the storm? Hope you enjoyed the bath!
I'm up for 9 miles before dd's 3rd bday party...

I don't think a running club would laugh at you one; one of my mates has just joined our local ones and was getting on fine. She's 38. I'd join but they meet in the early evening when I'm trying to get kids to bed. I might join next summer when I will have finished bfing ds and dh can put the dcs to bed.

I'm just back from an easy 4 miler which was lovely. I wasn't watching the clock much but averaged 9.27min/mile - but splits of 9:22, 9:25, 9:31 and 9:05. It was all on road but there were hills involved - small hill in mile 1 and 3 and big hill in mile 2 but I've never had such consistent splits so I'm pleased.

[onedev]

Well done go!

I'm really worried about the hills as there really aren't any around here to practice on for the GNR - every hill has a flat or downhill immediately after & they last no longer than 0.1of a mile so not much practice of them - so hoping I can make it!

Maybe laugh is a bit harsh but I think I'd feel embarrassed joining a running club now (unless with a friend) as I imagine I'm probably doing it all wrong

[KiwiPanda]

Onedev I'm 36 in a few weeks! Running clubs are usually of very mixed abilities. Mine ranges hugely. I like to think they are for people who like running, rather than people who are fast at running ..!

[onedev]

I'm sure you're right - I'm probably just making excuses really! Just feel a bit chicken (& that's not normally me as generally I am confident & don't let things hold me back!).

[humblebumble]

Hi - sounds like your splits are really good golemmings really consistent, what a high!

onedev well done on your 11 miles! hope you are feeling okay today.

I have had a little bit of a rough week. My right knee has been playing up a little and I have been concerned about my running. I decided to miss a 3 mile run training run this week to give my leg a rest. However, today I managed my 9-miler slower than I have been doing with my splits all over the place (usually I am quite consistent, not intentionally) but I was pleased to finish. It was 30 degrees when I ran, but fortunately not too humid.

I've got 5 more weeks to pick up my pace, I bought new trainers today which I am hoping will give the cushioning for my knee.

[KiwiPanda]

Just back from 11 miles. I even did negative splits. Woo hoo!

Lexilicious Re going quicker downhill/slower uphill - i actually run pretty consistently at the same pace, I don't think it's a bad thing, it means you are attacking the hills and recovering on the downhills if you keep the same pace!

[Lexilicious]

Wtf are negative splits?!?

I am about to go out for 10-11 miles. Big hill at 2 miles then lots of flat (old railway line) and some undulations near the end. Have been sitting in my Lycra waiting for enough charge on my phone to last all the way round. Getting cold, but at least I have drunk some water and I had a very long night's sleep.

[Idocrazythings]

I found this great calculator to work out estimated finish times based on age and previous times etc? race calculator