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Original poster

Half marathon - any one doing one?

996 replies

Cherryminx · 31/12/2015 16:25

There was a thread last year which I looked at in admiration as I struggled through C25K and then went on to run a 10K. So I can hardly believe that in a fit of madness I've signed up for a half Marathon in May.

Training starts tomorrow! Would anyone like to join me?

OP posts:
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KeyserSophie · 31/12/2015 16:59

cherry There is a long running (no pun intended) running thread in this section. Feel free to join. We tally up our mileage- runners of all standards and commitment levels. There are bound to be a couple of half marathoners.

Sirona · 31/12/2015 17:01

Me - one in March (and hopefully May and October). I did my first one last October and loved it!

chutneypig · 31/12/2015 17:17

I'm in a similar situation to you Cherryminx, finished c25k in March, been parkrunning since and did a couple of 10ks in the autumn.

I've got a definite half marathon in mind for September but it feels too far away. I'm thinking June/July but yet to find one.

Original poster
Cherryminx · 31/12/2015 19:19

Oh good. Glad there are a couple of people up for it. chutneypig I agree September is too far away. I'm ready for a new challenge as has slipped into a sort of easy jogging along phase so I've bought a book with some training plans but haven't really looked at it yet - planning to start tomorrow if my NYE hangover not too bad.

OP posts:
Sirona · 31/12/2015 20:37

If you can't find anything online by googling chutney and are on Facebook, try the group 'Run Mummy Run'. Really supportive group and thousands of running ladies on it, I'm sure one of them would be able to point you to something local :)

Good luck with your maybe run tomorrow Cherryminx. I'm not drinking tonight so I can definitely run tomorrow and I had my fill of wine last night. What book is it?

TabithaTwitchEye · 31/12/2015 20:46

Yes! My friend signed me up to run the Reading half at the start of April. Gulp!

FiftyNineOhEight · 31/12/2015 20:58

I'm doing one in March. And thinking about the Sheffield HM in April, although the hills look horrendous!

MumOnTheRunCatchingUp · 31/12/2015 21:42

Yes me!

Silverstone in March
Reading in April
Milton Keynes in May

And going to London for London marathon to support after running it this year and was totally blown away by the public support!

chutneypig · 01/01/2016 08:42

Thanks Sirona I'll have a look at that, wouldn't have thought of looking on FB.

I'm planning on fiddling with th training plan in Kara Goucher's book that was recommended to me on MN. I know I'll struggle with getting runs in before work until it gets lighter, so I'm planning to focus on pace on a treadmill and strength for the next few weeks. And get some tips from all of you Grin with that exciting list Tabitha Fifty and MumOnTheRun

Off for parkrun soon, so at least I'll stretch my legs, they definitely need it. Hope you get out today Cherryminx.

emummy · 01/01/2016 09:18

Think I was on that half marathon thread last year! I did Edinburgh in May and a local one in September, then in a fit of madness did a night time 15 mile trail race! Won't be doing that one a pagan! I have signed up for a 15 mile trail one in April and am intending to do the Aviemore half in October, which I'm really looking forward to. I will be using a plan in Paula Radcliffe's book which I like the look of. Good luck to you all, I really enjoyed the half distance last year.

LadyCassandra · 01/01/2016 10:05

I'm hoping to do one in May. I did it last year after starting running in Jan, but this year's is 2days after our 10 year wedding anniversary and we were planning a holiday. The next one in my city is September which is too far away so I need to see what else is happening nearby. But definitely doing one in the first half of the year Smile

Sirona · 01/01/2016 13:23

Hope you enjoyed parkrun today chutney.

I've been out myself this morning to start the New Year off on a good foot. Typically it was dry until I stepped out the door.

Must admit I never really follow training plans, probably should. I only ran twice a week and no speed work for my first last year as I'd a lot of niggles and injuries. Didn't do too bad time wise considering I wasn't running as much as I should.

Still only out running twice a week, one lsr and sometimes intervals/fartlek/speed work for my other run. Am considering adding another day's running in but not sure as I find too much gives my hips bother. Instead I've started interval sessions on the cardio machines at the gym once a week and strength training classes twice a week too.

MumOnTheRunCatchingUp · 01/01/2016 13:42

Everyone is saying its parkrun today? Not tomorrow then? Confused

Sirona · 01/01/2016 13:49

My local one wasn't on either MumOnTheRun, it's tomorrow as usual. I assumed maybe some were having a special type one for New Years Day??

FiftyNineOhEight · 01/01/2016 14:02

MumOnTheRun NYD parkruns are optional - I managed to fit in a double Smile, but neither was at my usual venue.

chutney my local running club lists all the races within striking distance on their fixture page, and you can just click through to the links for the individual events.

Thanks to this thread I am signed up for the Sheffield Half in April Smile

Hello emummy we were both on last year's HM thread Smile

chutneypig · 01/01/2016 14:38

parkrun was a blast this morning, not our usual run and it was very muddy. Beautiful morning, tough going but I felt great afterwards.

That's reassuring Sirona maybe I can fit in a speed work run in the week and a long run at the weekend. And parkrun of course. I joined a gym a couple of months back over winter but maybe I'll keep going with that too.

I'll have a look at the running club Fifty and my friend has just joined he, too, so actually she's probably a good source in herself. I think my brain has atrophied over Christmas Grin. Has your DS signed up for the Sheffield Half too?

FiftyNineOhEight · 01/01/2016 18:08

Hi chutney - if you aren't aiming for a world record or anything like that you should be fine on 3 or 4 runs a week. And you don't need to get up to more than 10 miles ahead of the HM - lots of people only go to 8 or 9 beforehand. And yes, it was DS's idea to do it Smile.

lurkingfromhome · 01/01/2016 21:24

Hi everyone (especially emummy - we both did the Edinburgh HM last year and I remember you from the thread!). Oh lord, I must confess to having had a very poor six months after the HM. My training dwindled to nothing and I got into a big rut of not running and feeling terribly unhappy about it but still couldn't actually make myself go out again. Argh.

Anyway, back now and am doing the Edinburgh HM again at the end of May, plus a 13k in late March. Then this time I WILL find another HM to do later in the year so that I don't just fizzle out again.

So I've started again with C25k but am doing it in 4 weeks as I seem to not have quite lost all my fitness. Am 2 weeks in so will get to 5k by mid-Jan. Have allowed 6 weeks to get from 5k to 10k then that leaves another 10 weeks to get from 10k to HM. Surely I can do this. I actually found the HM quite do-able last year so hoping it all comes back and I can stick to this quite tight training plan!

lurkingfromhome · 01/01/2016 21:29

PS Cherry I have found that by far the hardest part of HM training is getting to 5k. Once you can run for half an hour it's a bit easier and I found going from 10k to HM really ok - it wasn't any harder than just adding a bit to the long run every week. I'm struggling so much more at the moment with starting again and getting from 0 to 5k (that'll teach me to never lose my running mojo again!).

PurpleDaisies · 01/01/2016 21:34

My New Year's resolution is to get up from 5k to a hm in September ish. I haven't actually been out running at all in a few weeks and I'm really not looking forward to starting. It is really encouraging to find so many others in a similar position.

MrsMook · 01/01/2016 23:45

I may do one in the autumn. I have the last two years, I just don't know what my work commitments will be like to plan yet.

I started C25k Oct 13, had a pause and picked it back up at the new year, and finished March 14. Did an 8 mile fun run in the June and surprised myself by running it all and in my elation, got talked into a HM in the October. By coincidence, the day before my "runniversary" Grin

It can be done. I took it gently especially in the early stages as I was completely rebuilding my fitness following a baby and stubborn pelvic pain.

The one I did last year was 20 mins quicker, although a flatter course using the same plan with similar success of training.

CardiffUniversityNetballTeam · 02/01/2016 00:01

I've got three coming up!
One in Feb, one in March and one in April.
I can run 10k comfortably at the moment but I need to get my mileage up nearer to ten miles over the next four weeks or so.
I've found the festive fortnight really tricky. I've only got out once this week. Hoping to get out at least three times a week every week in Jan though.
Good luck to all of us half marathoners!

AyeAmarok · 02/01/2016 00:07

I am feeling tempted by the Edinburgh Half Marathon in May after clicking on this thread!

TheMightyMing · 02/01/2016 00:10

Thinking of one in Chester in Jay! Trouble is training , I can do 3-4 miles run into work and back and fit that in, but I struggle finding time for longer runs.

lurkingfromhome · 02/01/2016 00:12

Do it, Aye!! The course is nice and flat and we can be training partners Smile.