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]

Thanks everyone it's nice to have your well wishes . It would be embarrassing to have to walk the footpath- but I think you have to be doing something like a 17min mile (however in my present condition?)

[Issy]

Sympathy Ido. I've got about four weeks to go and I'm far, far less worried about intervals, Fartleks, split laps and pace than I am about something falling apart or falling off which means I can't run at all. Probably my most sensible race tactic would be to spend the next month sitting on the sofa eating doughnuts.

[golemmings]

Oh bum ido. How frustrating for you. Hope the abs kick in quickly.

[Lexilicious]

Doughnut-munching race prep. I love it!

I have read the bupa booklet properly now. I was right about being in the very last pen - pink K!

[Idocrazythings]

Woo hoo. We'll be neighbours lexi I really can't remember what time I put down- I think about 2.40 apparently it's a real cram to start with so maybe better to be at the back, get into your rhythm and then go a little faster as the crowd settles down; rather than get caught up with everyone who races off ahead and ends up exhausted within 30min (unless they are a gazelle and keeps on racing). That's how I'm looking at it

[humblebumble]

Hi everyone.
Oh no Ido I hope you get better quickly, usually once you are on AB's you are on the road to recovery.

lexi I think it's better to be at the back, I have started my first (only) half marathon right at the back. It means that you find your own rhythm/pace better, rather than shooting off too quickly and also people space out well. Also I found the runners I started with seemed to be a friendly bunch too and had the same nerves as me!

[humblebumble]

Week 8 of 12 week training program for my HM.

I had a really good run today in my new shoes. It was a 3 mile run. My splits were all under 9 minutes. I think the combination of my new shoes and a couple of days not running really helped me mentally not to get stressed about injuring my knee. Everything just felt right

Tomorrow I have to run 5 miles at the pace I would like to run the HM. Hopefully I will feel just as good tomorrow.

[golemmings]

Go humble!

Good run here too. Had what appeared to be impossible interval time (8.57 for 4x 800m intervals on a 5 mile run.

I managed it on all but one (8.16, 9.11, 8.55 and 8.24) with an average pace of 9.29. The program said it should take an hour but I did it in 47.19 which I think is around my 10k pace so that's not bad especially given how flakey my running was through august. Possibly if my warm up and my first interval were more gentle I'd've made the time on the second interval. But then again, remembering not to dawdle might have helped too!

[KiwiPanda]

Can I ask, you guys following a proper programme, what does it suggest doing for mileage in the week or two before the race? Presumably tapering a bit but how much/ how many runs etc?

[humblebumble]

Hi, I did another good run today, my splits were consistent at a tinsy bit under 9 min miles, except for the one with the small hill which was 9.11. So it was good to get that done.

golemmings well done! I am interested in your intervals, I've never done intervals ... I fear that it would just become too complicated or I might injure myself. I am wondering if my "pace" run is similar to what others called a "tempo" run. I am also a little concerned I am running my long runs faster than I should and that might be why my knee is playing up ...

kiwi my training program says that the week before I do a 3 mile run, 2 mile pace run, 3 mile run and then no running for 2 days before. The week before is just a continuation of the previous week 3,5,3 and 12 mile. This is different from a previous program where the longest run I did was 10 miles the week before.

[golemmings]

Kiwi: my last 2 weeks are:
6 mi interval (5k pace)
4mi inc 2mi fartlek
3mi easy
10k (58 mins) + 1mi wu/cd

4mi interval (5k pace)
3mi easy (4x150ml strides)
3 mile easy
RACE

Humble, DH started c25k and ran too fast because he wasn't finding it hard. his cv fitness was way ahead of his muscle fitness and he damaged himself. After a month off he started again more slowly and after about 18 weeks he's on week 7 and running superfast (much faster than me; we're off for our first run together tomorrow which could be... Interesting!).
You may find that your cv fitness is better than your muscle fitness and backing the speed off a little will help your legs and then you'll be able to run faster and further. (disclaimer, I have no idea what I'm talking about really!)

[KiwiPanda]

Thanks! I should probably plan those last two weeks in advance or I'll end up doing too much. I have a 10k race this Sunday which I want to try and break my PB in. Do no long run for me this weekend. i much prefer long slow runs to 10km race pace. Don't tell my DH but I'm so doing a marathon next

[Lexilicious]

oooh interesting. I think my muscle fitness is better than my CV, because I don't really tire in the legs until 10 mi but can't pick up the pace even in the early stages. I am definitely going to join a running club soon.

I am using the runnersworld training plan (loosely) which is on their website. it is the 10-week half marathon at 1:50-plus (ha ha!! I couldn't find one that said 'under 2:30'). This week's plan was:
Tuesday: 3-4 miles easy on soft ground (didn't do)
Thursday: 1 mile jog, 5mins fast, 5 min slow jog recovery, 5 mins fast. (did tuesday's instead)
Friday: 4 miles easy on grass (will do around park)
Sunday: 9-10 miles slow (instead of MIL's cooked breakfast)

final week:
Tuesday: 3 miles easy off road
Thursday: 1 mile jog, 1 mile at race speed, 1 mile jog
Friday: 2 mile jog.
Sunday: RACE DAY

This morning I did 3.3mi on pavement as I can't find enough soft ground around work that doesn't have horses or cows on it. That was 5.3km at 6m14s per km average pace or almost spot on 10min/mile - could do better but happy not to do any worse.

I don't think I can step up to a marathon for a while. There is a 10k race at the end of Sept which I'll do, and I fancy the Grand Union Canal HM in November (Uxbridge to Watford) - principally because canal paths, correct me if I'm wrong, are pretty flat!!!

[humblebumble]

lexi I like your thinking on your potential HM. That was how I decided on mine ... but I've just discovered there is actually one supposedly quite big hill in the middle, oops.

golemmings I think you could be exactly right. I have been thinking I need to do some strength exercises for my quads (which would help protect my knee as well). I guess it is all a fine balance.

I've been going to a bootcamp two mornings a week, but I wonder if I might be better off finding a gym and doing some basic weights strengthening exercises. I have been enjoying the boot camp though as it has made me train areas that I have always ignored (arms and tummy) and I am actually noticing the difference and I fear if I go only to the gym I will just ignore the those bits as I am lazy-- find it too hard

[KiwiPanda]

I've had some physio for an injury several times and they are very big on core strength - these are running/ sport specialist physios. I should really do more Pilates but it's finding the time as well as running isn't it? I'm definitely in the stronger legs than CV camp though it definitely depends on pace- at long "easy" pace both are fine but at 10km race pace my lungs start seriously protesting!

[golemmings]

Lexi, that is exactly why I'm doing a half marathon on a disused railway line which is mostly downhill.

[Lexilicious]

yeah, I totally didn't look at any of the info about GNR before signing up. Just thought, oh I've heard of that one, people will probably sponsor me well if its a famous one, Newcastle's not difficult to get to...

all of which I am finding were poor estimates of reality!!

[onedev]

Lexi, I did a half marathon a while ago which was along a canal towpath as I thought that would be flat, but what I didn't think about were the locks (there were a lot & some were very steep which was so tiring on my legs especially getting close to the end!).

[KiwiPanda]

Hmmm the weather forecast for Sunday & my 10k looking rather warmer than I thought it would be. Oh dear.

[Lexilicious]

Doesn't that mean that with the weather factor your 10k will be like doing a longer run? (always seeing the slacker's way through a problem, me!!)

I did my 5k "round the block" run this evening. No prizes, no bests. I think my legs are in control of my pace - it's almost like they are always conserving a bit for a longer run than I actually plan to do. This is why I need a real training plan that I do with a club rather than just me and the phone app to keep each other honest.

Last wine tonight before the race. Have to stay off the booze Saturday night (even though it's MIL's birthday dinner) so I don't hurt myself on 10 miles Sunday morning. Then I just want to be detoxed for the real thing. I will drink loads of water all weekband eat carbs from Thursday onwards.

Post-race... Might do the 5k parkrun the flowing Saturday. Then my local 10k another week later. Had a a look at the canal route for November and it is a climb!! There are 15 locks I think, but concentrated towards the end. I still want to do it.

[humblebumble]

Lexi Ido Onedev only a week to go until the GNR!

Kiwi Good luck for your 10km on Sunday.

I am also doing 10 miles on Sunday, but my HM isn't until October. I am slightly envious yours in next weekend ... although the GNR sounds like it could be a bit too hilly for me.

Lexi good luck with the no booze until next week

[KiwiPanda]

I have excruciating toothache. Not ideal. Good job they dont drug test amateur runners or I'd be disqualified for excessive pain medication I think

[Lexilicious]

It can't be last night's wine, I had no more than I quite often would on a Friday night, but I have been feeling rotten today. Headache, nauseous, wobbly, sort of car sick. Not much appetite, but not lethargic either. Hope I'm not coming down with something with (thanks humble, as if it wasn't flashing scarily on all my calendars already!!!) only a week to go. Yikes. Maybe it's all psychosomatic.

[humblebumble]

lexi we could do a count down day by day?

I hope you start feeling better. It sounds like vertigo ... or pregnancy!

[KiwiPanda]

Or maybe ear infection?? Although you'd presumably have temp with that (or is that just babies??)

Feel a bit sick in advance of 10k (in 2 hours 20 mins) ugh