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Original poster

Would anyone like to join me in training for a half marathon?

380 replies

lurkingfromhome · 28/02/2015 09:18

It was a thread on this board that basically got me through the C25K programme a couple of years ago. Lots of lovely supportive women pushing each other on.

Now, I've just started training for a half marathon that's at the end of May. I was a fairly confident runner before Christmas as I was doing 12k on my long run, even though I wasn't training with the HM in mind, but then took three weeks out over Christmas and seemed to lose all my fitness and go back to square one almost overnight Angry. Still not back at the level I was before then but at least I'm feeling enthusiastic again, running 4 times a week (8.5k the longest run so far, though) and I need a goal so I've started a 12-week HM programme and today is the end of my first week.

Is anyone doing anything similar who might like to form a virtual support group and get a bit obsessed together?

OP posts:
emummy · 14/04/2015 17:20

Oh dear, not the best session! Never mind, I hope you are feeling ok. Fingers crossed Thursday will go better.
Have done 4 mile progression run today and ankle ok, so hopefully it will hold up. Will just do 3 runs this week instead of 4 and see how it does.

ThereisnoFinWay · 14/04/2015 17:47

I feel better about it now than I did at the time Smile it's only one run out of many it's not the end of the world.

ThereisnoFinWay · 14/04/2015 17:48

Glad your ankle held up ok. When is Edinburgh?

phlebasconsidered · 14/04/2015 18:21

Right, my first 10K race done so i am planning on upping the mileage this weekend, from 6.2 to 6.6. Taking it slow, i've got till October! (Although I might do the St Albans or Grunty Fen HM before my Great Eastern to get a feel for the pain...)

emummy · 15/04/2015 17:01

Edinburgh is 31st May so plenty of time as long as I don't fall over again! Am terrified of re injuring it. Got a 10k on 25th of this month, hoping to manage that.
Glad you're feeling better ThereisnoFinWay
Go for it phlebas, slow and steady wins the race!

Original poster
lurkingfromhome · 19/04/2015 12:03

Hi everyone. I've been away from the thread for a bit (although still quietly plodding along in the background). Glad everyone doing more or less ok!

I did my first 10 mile run yesterday so feeling pretty good although I did notice my feet were hurting ever so slightly and I had the beginning of a blister. Never had any problems with my feet before so not sure if I need new running shoes (have done over 500 miles in these ones) or if it's just the longer distances are making me more prone to this kind of thing.

emummy - we have the Edinburgh half six weeks from today, eeeek! I am actually feeling fairly confident although various people have told me that mile 11 is always the killer (I guess the equivalent of hitting the wall at mile 21 in the full marathon). I am so glad the route is a nice flat one which should make it more manageable. Is it the Hopetoun House 10k that's on the 25th?

OP posts:
emummy · 19/04/2015 14:10

Yes lurking I know! Did my first 10 mile run this morning, ankle feels fine but my knees are aching. However my route, a new one, was quite hilly so feel happy about Edinburgh being flat!
I am up in Aberdeenshire, so my 10k next week is at Balmoral. Really looking forward to it, apart from the killer hill at 3k. The website says not to expect a PB because of it! Dd2 and ds also running the kids race and it's a great day out. Lovely scenery too and can pretend I am queen, surveying my estate, although with sweating!

Original poster
lurkingfromhome · 20/04/2015 08:36

Oh yes, I keep forgetting you're not in Edinburgh. A Balmoral 10K should be lovely - it's so beautiful there. And at least the killer hill is fairly early on so once you get that out the way it will be plain sailing. You must come and report back.

OP posts:
ThereisnoFinWay · 24/04/2015 20:13

Probably time for new shoes then if they've done over 500miles.

I don't really feel like my training has started yet as I'm not doing any new distances, it's only 6 miles this week and next and I regularly do 7. After that it's 8 though so will feel like I'm getting somewhere.

On and I accidentally signed up for a marathon next year.

BlueChampagne · 24/04/2015 22:36

Well done everyone. I clocked 12.75 miles this afternoon, mostly trail, and on target for time, so feeling good, esp as I'm now sitting on the sofa with a beer! No ambition to go as far as a marathon. Good luck, ThereisnoFinWay

emummy · 25/04/2015 17:43

Well did RunBalmoral. And the hill was horrific! So not a PB but was a nice run and running down the hill was very nice. The hailstorm wasn't appreciated, although it did cool me down!
Will try for another 10 miler next week then a couple of 12s before Edinburgh.

ThereisnoFinWay · 25/04/2015 20:41

Well done Grin hail sounds a bit grim though!

emummy · 02/05/2015 22:08

How's it going folks? Not running this weekend because of family stuff so did long run of 12.3 miles on Friday. Felt a big stiff in the knees at th end by otherwise ok. Think the main work will be in my head on the day, as I won't be able to listen to my usual podcasts. Here's hoping for a nice sunny day and lots of support!

LavazzaLover · 03/05/2015 20:34

Hello (waves!). I have a definite 3x10ks this summer and a few 5ks to speed myself up. Aiming for a possible 3 HM too before the end of the year. .

Did 7 miles on Friday in 64 mins. Super chuffed. My aim this year is to better myself in all my runs. Im stuck in my comfort zone and desperately need to get out of it.

emummy · 04/05/2015 07:19

That was a good run Lavazza. It can be a bit daunting to increase the mileage can't it! I still can't quite believe I ran 12 miles, this time last year I was scared about running a 10k. Good luck with all those hms!

ThursdayLast · 04/05/2015 08:26

Hello, does anyone mind if I join in?

I've got a local half in September - and now I've got my wedding and honeymoon out the way I can really start get get my groove on Grin

I've a 10 miler to get me in the mood next month. A 10k in August. A 9mike torture mud run at Xmas and I've just gone and stuck my name in the ballot for next years VLM Shock

LavazzaLover · 04/05/2015 12:17

Wwwffft a mud run does sound like torture!! Is it like tough mudder?

ThursdayLast · 04/05/2015 14:36

No Lavazzza because all the obstacles are natural. Well, natural with intervention.

There's a few waist depth pools, running along a stream, a few stretches where they've ploughed the land or churned it up, lots of steep hills Grin. Last year my shoe came off within 15 mins! It's at the lost gardens of heligan.

LavazzaLover · 04/05/2015 15:28

Oh it does sound awfulGrin . I think ill stick to HM. Dont like getting dirty!

Original poster
lurkingfromhome · 04/05/2015 21:18

God, total training disaster here. Have had a quite unpleasant flu-y thing that has meant no running for two weeks. Yikes. Have had no energy at all and too scared to push myself to run in case I just collapsed at the side of the road and pegged it through sheer stupidity.

Anyway today I finally felt better enough to give it a shot and managed a fairly plodding 10k. Bit worried now as I have only three more weekends until the HM so hoping I can get back to previous fitness veeeeeery quickly and get three good runs in of 11 miles plus.

The only bright spot in this sorry tale is that I'm now hoping that this means colds & flu are now out if the way and there is no danger of picking up a cold two days before the race (I am terribly prone to really bad colds despite healthy diet, fresh air, loads of exercise etc so it's a constant fear of mine!).

Argh, though. Hope it will all be ok.

OP posts:
Original poster
lurkingfromhome · 04/05/2015 21:20

I have to add though that I felt great after today's 10k and could practically feel those runner's endorphins coursing through me afterwards Smile

OP posts:
LavazzaLover · 04/05/2015 22:57

Oh I temember my 10k after flu couple of months ago. It was horrendous! But its always good to be back.

Dont crash and burn before the HM. Focus on getting better!!

emummy · 05/05/2015 07:14

Build it up carefully lurking, and make sure you drink plenty and eat well. You'll get there I'm sure. Two of the dcs at the moment have blocked up noses, am off to shops to buy that first defense stuff, I don't want to get sick now! It's bad enough obsessing about whether the ankle will be ok without that! Hope you continue to improve, well done on getting 10k done.
What a year you have Thursday, wedding and a half marathon! Good luck with the training and preparation for both.

Original poster
lurkingfromhome · 05/05/2015 14:01

Oh I know, I'm really cross with it all. I was scared of injury but would probably have recovered from a pulled muscle faster than from a flu-y thing!

I do feel better now - actually only felt ill for a week but it took another full week to get any strength back. Am really focusing on getting loads of sleep and eating particularly well. Will do another run tomorrow and see.

Thursday, you are hardcore!

OP posts:
ThursdayLast · 05/05/2015 17:39

The Scrooge
It is quite hardcore actually, but I can assure you we did it v slowly Grin

Lurking that doesn't actually sound like a training disaster. You set out a distance and achieved it! I think that if you're able to do 10 miles before your race, you won't have list your well earned fitness even in a fortnight. I believe!

I hope you are still well emummy

I did a chatty 4miles yesterday evening with my running bud. Was the first proper catch up we've had since the wedding so the run was actually just an excuse to meet up child free.

I need to up my mileage eek

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