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Original poster

Half Marathon Panic

21 replies

northernmummeh · 11/09/2014 08:46

Just that really. I don't know what possessed me but I'm doing a hAlf marathon in 10 days

I'm in blind panic because my training the last month has really suffered with a bout of food poisoning and a stomach bug so not got the miles that I would have liked in. I know physically I can do it. After all I've walked that distance in 4 hours so I'm not going to be any slower than that! But it's the mental side I'm struggling with.

I'm in a flap over silly thoughts I have when I'm actually doing it. I did a 4 mile run yday and all the way round all I could think was 'god this is a struggle' 'this is hard' 'I'm doing rubbish' 'if 4 miles is hard how the hell am I going to do 13'? But then I finish and think actually I could keep going it's not that bad and honestly it does take me a good 3 miles to settle in.

So on the day what on earth can I do to keep my mind occupied, stay motivated and stay clear of these silly thoughts?! 2+ hours is a long time to 'think' iyswim. I've got music to keep me going, but what else?! I don't know anyone else doing the race and it helps it's in a town I'm not familiar with. Just need some mind hints n tips to get me through the psychological side of it

OP posts:

EauRouge · 11/09/2014 09:07

This is the worst bit of doing a HM! I don't know if it's any help, but this sort of last minute panic is normal, even if training went perfectly. I followed my training plan to the letter but I was still bricking it the week before.

How about looking at some fuelling plans? That's one area that you can still work on before the race. You can still go out for a couple more short, easy runs too. I think I did a 2 mile shake down the day before my HM.

I ran my HM on my own but got chatting to some other runners during the race. Once you find your pace you're bound to find someone else to talk to.

Good luck :)

BlueChampagne · 11/09/2014 11:36

Good advice from EauRouge - just came on to say good luck! Let yourself take some walking breaks and keep hydrated.

grazingfees · 11/09/2014 22:40

You'll be fine.

I found it helped to put a little post-HM celebration plan in place. The last 3 miles were tought but I had promised myself a large glass of wine in the pub afterwards (late afternoon race!) and when it got tough around mile 11 I just focused on that!

Bumply · 11/09/2014 22:44

I find it helps to break it down into chunks. 3 miles to his landmark, 2 miles to the water point etc. and when you've got past 10 miles it's "just a park run left - I can do that..."

Bumply · 11/09/2014 22:46

Oh, and ignore the spectators lining the last mile or so telling you it's all downhill from here. They're usually telling lies, but if you know that it's easier to bear.

cosysocks · 11/09/2014 22:49

I think it's normal to be nervous and for me acknowledging to myself that it was going to be hard and hurt but I would still manage helped me.
I think running is totally a mental challenge just remember when your mind thinks you can't go on anymore your body knows otherwise. You can do it!!

member · 11/09/2014 23:04

My friend did her first last weekend & was so scared on the lead up that she had me fretting on her behalf that she wasn't't going to do it. Remember that you've likely to use up your body's stores of easy to use fuel after an hour or so of running & find it a bit of a struggle. Maybe look into using gels during the race/ low fibre carbs pre- race; my friend found Running World's website helpful for that. Good luck!

Original poster

northernmummeh · 12/09/2014 08:24

Thanks guys. It is all mind games. I know I can do it but my head ATM is saying no! It doesn't help that amongst my running circle I've kept this quiet as I don't want to make a fool of myself until I've done it and a lot of my running friends do trail half marathons and marathons for 'fun'

They have gels available during the race but I really don't get on with them. I haven't found a single one I like, they all make me a bit gippy. But they have lucazade available so a few sips will be fine and there plenty of water stations to loom for as milestones and break a big distant into a small one.

I know I can do 10-11 miles cos I've done it. On the treadmill too which I find ten times harder so like you say just got to tell myself the last 3 mile is just another ParkRun. And a downhill on at that! (Course map and gradient have been posted and the last bit is a nice downhill section)

OP posts:

grazingfees · 12/09/2014 10:45

You'll be fine. Definitely stay away from the gels!

I ate 2 love hearts per mile every mile after mile 6 - I found it helped me to celebrate the end of each mile.

FreckledLeopard · 12/09/2014 10:48

I am also doing a half marathon in 10 days and freaking out. I have not done half the amount of training I'd planned (got wiped out with worst cold I've had in years so couldn't do anything for a few weeks).

I did a half-marathon last year and I know I can do it. But I much prefer running in the evenings and so I'm worrying about how I'm going to do it in the morning.

Haribo is my secret weapon. I'm going to eat some before the race and then every half mile. It is amazing stuff.

Tiredemma · 12/09/2014 10:53

I'm supposed to be doing half marathon next month. I can comfortably run just about 6/7 miles at the moment. Had very little opportunity to get any running done due to work/home commitments. I did the GNR run though two years ago on similar training and managed to finish in one piece. I'm hoping I gain superhuman abilities on the day. Failing that I'll just have to crawl around.

MillyONaire · 12/09/2014 10:57

Hi Northern, I too am doing a hm in well, 9 days now and feeling totally unprepared too (also posted asking for HEEEEELLLLPPP!). I will be taking Berocca Boost every day for the 5 days beforehand (don't know if it helps but I believe it will and that'll work), eating right, drinking water and sleeping well in the days before and having a couple of days off running before the big day. The atmosphere of the race will keep you going - spectators and race organisers can have a huge effect. This will be my 4th HM and I always find the last three miles the hardest. Go out slow and focus on enjoying the pace. I don't drink anything but water (and not too much of that either as I become like a leaky sieve) and some jelly beans. I find it helps if I focus on time- so, if it'll take me 2.5 hours then that'll be what I'll be looking at rather than miles because they can seem to go awfully slow. Good luck!!!

Nusalembongan · 12/09/2014 11:01

Good luck to everyone!!

I should have been doing my first one in a couple of weeks but am injured so had to bail out.

The crowd energy and adrenaline really will help on the day although I find the day after doing 10k events that I am totally exhausted.

Really hope you all do well

Original poster

northernmummeh · 12/09/2014 14:05

So what half marathons are you all doing?! I'm doing the EHM in Warrington

I'm not one for fuelling while running. 5k events I drink after and when I've done long runs I have a few sips of water at 6 mile and then when I'm done. Tbh nutrition side is the one area I'm quite confident and happy with and know what if you have a good diet you don't really need gels/sweets/sugar during a half marathon

OP posts:

velveteenbunny · 12/09/2014 22:37

"Tbh nutrition side is the one area I'm quite confident and happy with and know what if you have a good diet you don't really need gels/sweets/sugar during a half marathon"

Some people do really need it - what's the farthest you've run? I can comfortably do 10 miles without any extra nutrition but find anything longer than that I do need a little extra.

EauRouge · 13/09/2014 06:19

Same here, velveteen. 10 miles was fine but I got to 12 and wished I had taken some gels or something. I did finish but I think I could have got a better time with better fuelling and hydration. Nearly all the other runners had a hydration pack or a drink with them.

Tiredemma · 13/09/2014 09:00

I got to 11 miles and wanted to die. How I did the last two God only knows.

I had a gel at mile 10 I think.

Original poster

northernmummeh · 13/09/2014 14:13

Did 11.5 mile today and felt ok. Some confidence restored

Only say I'm confident in nutrition side as it's something I'm trained in. Chance to put it into practice though now!

OP posts:

velveteenbunny · 14/09/2014 14:09

You'll be fine! I take my hat off to you being able to run 11.5 miles on a treadmill, I'd die of boredom!

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Original poster

northernmummeh · 14/09/2014 15:58

Oh I did that one outside and linked a ParkRun into the middle of it still struggling to keep my mind occupied though.

OP posts:

annabanana19 · 14/09/2014 20:56

I like to split the run up into either four 5k or two 10k. I have a HM in 3 weeks and ive done the training. Did 11 miles today in 1 hour 45 mins. So I know I can do it but the doubts are creeping in now. I also use gels but I'm used to them now.

just keep going, feed and hydrate your self and go for it!

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