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Original poster

Half marathon virgin. Please help calm my nerves!

27 replies

Soindecisive · 06/10/2014 12:48

Hi all. Well it's my first half marathon next weekend and I'm starting to feel a bit nervous! Yesterday I completed 13.1 miles for the first time. I managed a slow and steady 2 hours 40 minutes which I was really pleased about as all I am aiming for it just to get round in one piece. I just wanted a bit of reassurance that there will be others like me who will be doing a certain amount of walking as well

OP posts:

BlueChampagne · 06/10/2014 13:29

I'm sure you won't be the only one taking walking breaks. If you can do 13.1 alone, you'll be fine on the day, and you're quite likely to do a better time. Even coming last is better than DNF, which is better than DNS, which is better than didn't even try.

Come back next week and let us knwo how you got on!

CMOTDibbler · 06/10/2014 13:37

You'll do fine - plenty of people take walking breaks

DrElizabethPlimpton · 06/10/2014 13:47

You will be fine. My sister is doing a half this weekend too and she is getting nervous.

Good luck!

Asleeponasunbeam · 07/10/2014 21:29

I'm doing my first HM this weekend too. I haven't even run 13 miles. My training programme only took me to 11 and I've run out of time now!

I've been having big problems with my...erm...bowels afterwards and was really poorly after some of my longer runs. That seems to have improved now (body just got used to it? Fitter?) but I'm still really worried about the post-run situation (5 hour drive home!).

My last run (6 miles) was utterly dire and my feet were killing me (a new problem!). So I'm going to be delighted if I even finish (which I WILL!).

Which one are you doing?

Asleeponasunbeam · 07/10/2014 21:30

For my last two long runs, I walked 2 minutes after every 4 miles. May have helped prevent the diarrhoea problem, certainly made me feel better.

thefemaleJoshLyman · 08/10/2014 06:31

I am running my first on Sunday too. I was also having ahem bowel issues but when running . I now take two immodium before running which fingers crossed has sorted it.

HermioneDanger · 08/10/2014 17:22

Doing the distance already before your first half is a big deal - many people don't get that far in training (it's not necessary for training but is a great confidence booster).

I'm going to run my 10th half on Sunday, and for the first time I'm going in with a target time in mind. I have walk breaks planned from the first mile and I will be sure to take every single one. I did 2:10 last year on a run 8/walk 2 schedule right from the start.

Which race is it? I'm doing royal parks.

HermioneDanger · 08/10/2014 17:22

Ps - you're guaranteed a PB in this race :)

Original poster

Soindecisive · 08/10/2014 20:10

Thank you everyone for your messages. They have been a great help. It's the Royal Parks HM I'm running. I'm currently worrying about everything...it starts at 9 am so I'm anxious about getting there on time. My dd has just come down with a cold...so I'm worried about catching that beforehand. Now bowels have been mentioned I'm going to worry about that too (even though it's not been an issue so far). I really want to enjoy the day but I think I might be a nervous wreck!

OP posts:

thehomesecretary · 08/10/2014 20:19

I'm doing the royal parks HM on Sunday too. It will be my second HM but I am so poorly prepared this time, I'll be lucky to get round. DS was in hospital with pneumonia which rather threw my training schedule! (He is much better now). After stressing about it endlessly the last few weeks I have reached a kind of zen acceptance though. I will finish even if I have to walk the whole course, anything else is a bonus especially beating my previous time (isn't going to happen!)

Original poster

Soindecisive · 08/10/2014 20:49

Good luck to everyone running this weekend
Asleeponasunbeam - I forgot to say that before I completed 13.1 miles on Sunday, the furthest I had run was 10 miles (and I had only done this once). I found that I was very tired in those last few miles, but the thought of completing the distance got me to the end (very slowly). I also discovered in my last run that a very well known sports drink makes me feel queasy!

OP posts:

annabanana19 · 08/10/2014 22:10

Youll be fine! Rescue Remedy helped me at the Cardiff Half on Sunday. Smashed my HM PB by 21 minutes!

Asleeponasunbeam · 09/10/2014 06:52

I was awake a lot last night with a sore throat! I've already got over a cold which affected my training.

I'd better stock up on Imodium and ibuprofen before Sunday.

Good luck to everyone. I like the idea that this can only be a PB!

ScrambledEggAndToast · 09/10/2014 07:05

You will be fine. I have done two and the support is amazing on the day all the cheering and clapping. Just take it mile by mile, maybe have some music to listen to if that's your thing. Good luck

annabanana19 · 09/10/2014 07:05

Asleep - Just keep warm, drink plenty of fluids and Lemsip! You've done what you can now. 11 miles in training is brill! I only got up to 10 mikes and the last 3 were tough but I broke them up to 10 mins each.

Good luck!

HermioneDanger · 11/10/2014 17:43

Good luck in the morning Soindecisive - I hope you have a blast!

AmyDeez · 12/10/2014 00:10

Good luck!! I run my first HM in Cornwall next Sunday, sending positive vibes :-D

HeySoulSister · 12/10/2014 00:12

Good luck!! You will love it

Original poster

Soindecisive · 12/10/2014 21:00

Thanks everyone for the encouragement and words of wisdom. I managed 2 hrs 38 mins and it was a fantastic experience . I found out that there is no need to worry - running in an event is far easier than training alone. Hope all went well for everyone else today.

OP posts:

annabanana19 · 12/10/2014 21:01

Well done! Thats a great time.

Asleeponasunbeam · 12/10/2014 21:47

Are you me? That was exactly my time too!

Well done, it's a great achievement isn't it? I've just had a five hour drive home so a bit too knackered to reflect. But no shin, foot (except one blister) or bowel problems! And I didn't need a wee stop!

HermioneDanger · 12/10/2014 21:58

Bravo Soindecisive - so glad you enjoyed it. What a lovely day it was! Normally it's really warm for this race so today was a delight. I finally broke 2 hours today, thanks to DH bimbling along beside me. I don't expect to walk tomorrow though!

Are you planning on another one? Can I recommend Bacchus if you fancy something totally not target driven?

BlueChampagne · 13/10/2014 14:59

Well done!

Original poster

Soindecisive · 14/10/2014 22:21

Asleep - wow, I can't believe you managed to drive for 5 hours after the run. I think my legs would have been too wobbly.
Hermione - what an amazing time. Next time I'd like to make it under 2.30. Thanks for the race recommendation too. I'd like to give that one a go.
Hope everyone really enjoyed the Royal Parks. I can't think of a nicer route.
Happy running

OP posts:

HermioneDanger · 15/10/2014 13:12

Thank you. It took me 10 races and nine years to break that 2 hour barrier. My first was 2.48 at the Great North in 2005. I've improved on it in most races since and always PB at Royal Parks. I think it's my 2nd favourite half (after Bacchus, the one I linked above where they give you wine).

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