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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:
Lexilicious · 14/09/2012 10:13

push on through I'd say Holmes - if it hasn't actually injured you, just aches, then do an easy-going one 48 hrs after your long one, and then another 24/48 hrs later do intervals or hills. I think (paraphrasing fitness science told to me ages ago) these aches are when your body is having to mend muscle fibre, and doing regular runs means your muscles rebuild stronger. So unless you've really pulled something, it's important to keep a consistent pattern of exercise going so your muscles keep adding up. Think there is probably also the cumulative CV fitness going on as well.

holmessweetholmes · 14/09/2012 10:51

Thanks Lexi - you're probably right. It's not so much the aches which bother me, more the fatigue. I feel completely zonked - almost kind of spaced out! Lots of water and good, nourishing food today and hopefully I'll be up for Parkrun tomorrow.

KiwiPanda · 14/09/2012 12:18

Holmes I've felt like this a couple of times after a long run and I think it's because I didnt eat enough afterwards during the day to compensate. Try getting some more calories in you?

humblebumble · 14/09/2012 14:29

Holmes I was going to post the same as Kiwi. I've found if I eat within 30-45 mins after a long run my recovery is generally fine, I also have to drink a lot of water as well. Do you "refuel" every 45-60 mins whilst you are running? If I am aiming to run for more than an hour, I generally have one of those energy things like a Gu or Shot Block, they are disgusting but they keep me going.

holmessweetholmes · 14/09/2012 15:07

Hmmm, that's interesting. I had plenty (too much!) to eat later, but not straight after. Didn't refuel on the run either. Maybe I need to start doing that on longer runs. Thanks for the advice folks!

Original poster
golemmings · 14/09/2012 19:42

For the first time I took food with me on my 10mile run last week - just one of the Lisa's ella's museli bars because it was full of oats for long term energy, fruit for an immediate sugar hit but its also moist to reduce the risk of inhaling/choking.

I ate half at mile 6, just before the hill and track at mile 7, and the rest half way through mile 7 on the rough track. I usually run really slowly along that mile because of the steepness, undergrowth and uneven terrain but this time it was my quickest mile - 8.56 rather than the normal 12+. I think the snack really made a difference.

So when are the gnr-ers heading north? Tomorrow? You must be excited.

OP posts:
onedev · 14/09/2012 21:19

Good luck to us all doing GNR - Enjoy Sunday Grin

KiwiPanda · 14/09/2012 21:57

Yes good luck to the GNR runners will be thinking of you!

I've never eaten anything on a run - would get stitch (I get a stitch if I so much as look at food for 3 hours before a run) but I am thinking about energy gels. I used them years ago when I did a few triathlons and found they definitely helped albeit they all taste foul

tiredemma · 14/09/2012 22:14

Im not at all worried about the GNR- I'm more worried about DP and DS2 waiting around for me on the day- and then getting out of South Shields back onto the motorway! Its really stressing me out!!

but the run- I'm fine with the run!!

Idocrazythings · 14/09/2012 23:25

Best of luck. I'll be thinking of you all on Sunday xx

holmessweetholmes · 15/09/2012 07:52

Good luck, GNR-ers!

onedev · 15/09/2012 12:12

Thanks for the good luck messages - I actually feel a bit sick with nerves now we're on our way to Newcastle!

I'm also v worried about how busy it will be & my DH struggling to keep hold of our 3 boys if it's so busy! I'm sure it'll be fine but I think for me it's the fear of the unknown generally Grin

Bumply · 15/09/2012 13:14

Good luck to those doing GNR tomorrow.
I did my first hm at GScottishR 2nd sep.
I'm 50 this year, member of a running club abd did hm in 2:32 which I was pleased with - just to give some encouragement to other oldies

NeitherShreddedNorSmug · 15/09/2012 13:22

Yay! Go runners! Good luck to all of you tomorrow!

I agree with the comments about snacking on runs. My best run EVER was a while ago when I was still quite a new runner, I was floating, felt fantastic, went further and faster than I'd ever done. I had some water as I ran but no food. I got home, started to shiver and shake and was violently sick. I turned out I'd seriously overdone it, and should have been refuelling as I went along. I am convinced that experience has slowed me down, because of the fear of it happening again. And I now have a gel/sports beans after 45 minutes, and before I start if it's been a long time since a meal.

NeitherShreddedNorSmug · 15/09/2012 13:23

and well done Bumply!

humblebumble · 15/09/2012 13:40

Good luck for those doing the GNR. I look forward to hearing how you all got on.

Lexilicious · 15/09/2012 20:31

I have arrived at a B&B outside Durham and the lady who checked in just before me is also doing GNR ... wonder if she's a MNer ?!?

I was thinking of starting a support thread for the race in chat (I'd post my race number to look out for, but I think it would link to RL names on the run tracking site) so we could remind people about the charities some of us are running for, or just for virtual cheering on - anyone think this a good/bad idea?

KiwiPanda · 15/09/2012 20:51

Lexi PM me your number so I can cheer you on / follow your progress! Am really thinking about you guys tonight, sending lots of "sleep well" vibes x

I'm doing a 12 miler tomorrow after running club this morning. I have a strange achy leg (woman who runs running club is a physio and she thought it might be a trapped nerve). Hmmm could be interesting

Issy · 15/09/2012 21:35

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request

Original poster
golemmings · 15/09/2012 23:05

Also thinking of the gnr ers. Hope you have a fabulous time tomorrow.

Will be thinking of you as I do my 10k race!

OP posts:
humblebumble · 16/09/2012 01:58

GoLemmings how did you get on with your 10km race?

I did a 4 mile race and did 8.39 splits, it was faster than I felt I was running!

NeitherShreddedNorSmug · 16/09/2012 03:16

Well done humble - I was in C Park today and there were lots of people with their numbers/Dtags on from this morning's run. From your splits you'll be nearer DH's corral than mine on 7 October!

I ran 6, and walked/ran 2.5 more today - 21.5 over the last week.

My friend ran the Sydney half in 2.10 today - well done to her!

Lexilicious · 16/09/2012 07:00

quite nervous now. Going to have oat bars and bananas for breakfast on the coach because b&b didn't do an early breakfast even though charging a 'special rate' and minimum 2 night stay with it being GNR weekend. Grrr.

onedev · 16/09/2012 08:00

Well done Humble & all the best Go!

How annoying Lexi - we're having breakfast in our room as I brought weetabix with us as didn't want to pay £13.95 each for 2 weetabix downstairs!

I feel nervous bought more about the logistics of it all & getting to the start on time, going to toilet etc etc. my eldest boy also really wants to see Mo Farah & he'll be so disappointed if he doesn't!

Lexilicious · 16/09/2012 08:21

Flash MN meetup by the pink baggage buses?!