Half marathon - any one doing one?

[Cherryminx]

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?

Meant to ask cherry and chutney and whoever else runs with their dc. Ds (8) is dying to start running with me so I've promised him once the weather gets better (he has asthma that the cold air can trigger) I'll do couch to 5k with him. Do kids need properly fitted for running shoes - obviously size wise yes but as in their gait analysed? What shoe shops would you recommend?

Headphones seem a definite no. I've got Aftershokx ones recently which are great but it's still on country roads so probably for the best. We drove along part of the route today and did think I'll need my wits about me!

Codeine and ibuprofen, ouch. Hope it eases up soon, sounds very painful.

When my two first started running we just went to Sports Direct and got them a pair from the running section which were fine but they didn't get fitted as such. DD got a pair in Sweatshop and the staff were more trained in fitting. She didn't go on the treadmill much to her disgust. I started out myself just getting some running shoes and it was only when I got the niggle in my hip that I went and got gait analysis at Sweatshop, so kind of taken the same approach with them that I'd get them checked more if it seemed needed. Our local Sweatshop has closed now which is a shame, but they were very helpful if you do have one nearby.

Cherryminx, you are right, training is for sorting out niggles so it goes ok on the day.
Good luck chutneypig and fifty for your HMs, not long now!
I went out 3 times this week and did 5km each time. There was another thread about waterproof jackets, some which fold down really small into a zipped bag. Will any of you bring one on your race day, just in case it rains? Are you allowed to do so?

Thanks very much chutney. You would think the dc having brand new tendons with no overuse and that they would be perfect neutral runners but remembered my podiatrist saying if I looked at my dc they may have the same stance and pronation can be hereditary. Made me wonder. We do have a sweatshop with a lovely manager too that appears to be there most of the time. Very chatty and knowledgeable. The Running shop is hit and miss with approachable customer service That's a shame about the headphones but I'm sure you'll not notice after the first little while.

I have a showerproof rather than waterproof (too sweaty) Ronhill one Lonoxo which bundles down a good bit but I normally tie it round my waist. I've never needed it on a race day luckily enough. Most people seem to take black bin bags to put over them until they start, learnt this off the run mummy run fb group when I asked the same question one day :) I think if it was really bad though I would wear it. You can bring whatever you want and feel comfortable with.

I didn't know that about pronation Sirona, worth bearing in mind for my two! The source of my niggly hip is over pronation but just on one foot. Arch has started feeling a bit off too - think it's pre race paranoia kicking into overdrive. In that case Sweatshop might be a good bet - ours did have a good range of not too hideously expensive junior shoes.

I fear I may need to give this some thought Loxono! I have a waterproof jacket that gets a bit warm so I'll only take it if the rains pretty heavy, otherwise I tend to just live with getting wet. Like Sirona said, I normally tie excess jackets round my waist but the flapping annoys me so I'll use err on the side of being a little cool or wet rather than have flapping. My kids have got Ronhill showerproof ones too, the fabric is quite soft. Might bear the bin bag trick in mind. DH got drenched before a 10k once, the kids were doing a junior race first and it pelted down, the race pictures look like buckets of water coming down, it stopped by the time the 10k started but he was soaked. Definitely want to avoid that.

The bin bag trick is a good suggestion. I would never have thought of that. My HM is at the end of May so it should hopefully be warm enough that a bit of rain won't be a problem. I am toying with the idea of also signing up for the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow at the beginning of October so the bin bag trick is more likely to be of use then.
10.5 miles yesterday at a faster pace than the last few long runs I have done. Fewer hills on the route is probably the explanation for that. I got in a faster 5km on Thursday too. First time I had done a short fast run in months! Hope to do another this week and then maybe 12 miles on Sunday.

Have now driven round my course and am relieved to say it is pretty flat and quite rural so not many handy toilets but lots of fields with hedges to hide behind if I get really desperate (the shame - hope the other runners (if there are any behind me) are understanding).

Lonoxo - I have got a thin polyester jacket for wearing in rain which can be tied round waist but I don't like flapping either. I wear it in winter to keep out wind rather than dry. But now its a bit warmer I get too hot wearing it anyway.

Sirona - re running shoes - both my two just started off with some regular cheapish trainers. When DS took things up a bit more seriously we did go to a running shop but they said they always advise neutral shoes for DCs and the ones we bought were nothing fancy.

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chutney I know what you mean about no music. Someone earlier mentioned running to talking books which I have been doing recently and found to be quite nice as it takes my mind off the endless miles.

When I did a 10k in December there were lots of people in fancy dress, which kept me amused and gave me something to aim for - I kept thinking "if I can just catch up with that fairy/ elf/ man in gimp suit I'll be doing ok" plus it went past lots of houses with people clapping and cheering, one had a sound system playing We Are the Champions outside it.

I fear that my HM will just be professional types in running vests and sheep looking on.

Cherry all the HMs I have done have had a good mixture of super speedy men in vests, club runners and runners like me . My local HM is two laps - the first year I did it I was lapped by the winner and I was the last finisher. Even the photographer had gone home by the time I finished . Last year I wasn't quite last, but probably in the last 20 but I didn't get lapped

Progress FiftyNine! From the look of last year's results I'll be quite near the back in my trail race, not helped by the foot pain! Have decided just to be happy with finishing

Good tip about the bin bags. I would never have figured that out on my own!

I did just over 10k in 60 mins on the weekend. The training plan I'm following has a long run on Sundays, sometimes it says 'run x amount of miles' and other times, like this last Sunday 'run for 60 mins'. Miles v minutes?! Don't know if what I'm doing on the 'minutes' runs is long enough.

Anyway, did a short run this afternoon and then I have the rest of the week off as DH is away. Childcare is hindering my training! obviously I'd be sticking to the training rigidly otherwise

cherry I'd really like to drive a recce of the route but I don't think I'll get chance. I know some of it already but there's a few big stretches early in the race that I've no idea about. Scared there'll be some big hills waiting for me! Fortunately, the latter stages are mostly flat or slight downhill.

emummy my target is also just to finish! I'd like to think I can do it it about 2hr 15 but that could be wishful thinking. A leap into the unknown after 10 miles for me!

I read a thread the other day where one of the posters was panicking because they'd miscalculated when the race was and had started tapering 2 weeks too soon!! This had me checking and rechecking my dates! Hope everyone's training/tapering is going well and on the right dates!

I read that thread too Igotta - on the marathon one? Occasional lurker :) Your distance in 60minutes sounds similar to my own so I think that's ok. I wasn't able to recce my first so I put the route into mapometer to check the elevation.

I think there's a lot more non club runners at events now Cherry since running seems to have become so popular.

I'd think if you're doing mix of times and miles Igotta it'll be fine and that's a good 10k time. Scheduling runs in can be such a pain.

Pretty flat sounds good to me CherryMinx. I drove along yesterday to work looking at one stretch and realised quite how long an incline it is!

I went out for a gentle 5k yesterday just to see how my hip felt. It was fine and it was good to get out but I struggled to get into a rhythm. Might try another gentle go Thursday just to reassure myself I can do it.

Currently glued to the weather forecasts for the weekend . How's it looking for you FiftyNine?

Forgot to say, I didn't feel like I'd got a lot of energy so decided I need to eat more this week. And promptly had a Twirl. I'm not sure this counts as solid pre race nutrition

chutney twirls used to be my favourite chocolate, especially dunked in a cup of coffee . At the moment my guilty secret is one of those big bars of caramel/dairy milk/aero the sell for a pound in WH Smiths - there are 2 branches in my station, so whichever way I come out of the tube I have to walk past one on the way to my platform. I told confessed to DH a while ago, and instead of being impressed with my ability to down so much chocolate without pausing for breath he was horrified that I didn't just eat a couple of squares and save the rest for another day

I still haven't run, am seeing a sports masseuse this evening who confirmed Dr Google's diagnosis of plantar fasciitis over the phone but has suggested a shoulder to ankle treatment to sort me out for Sunday. Will let you all know how it goes. I haven't got as far as looking at the weather forecast!

igotta 2:15 sounds achievable with your 10K time (my MN name is my 10K PB, and my HM PB is 2:19 with the wind behind me on a downhill course )

Thanks for the reassurance everyone. I've just been having a look at the Leeds HM website....I feel a bit sick now!!!

I didn't know about mapometer sirona, thanks. It tells me there is a steady climb for about 3-4 miles in the first half of the race . But at least I know about it in advance!

fiftynine fingers crossed the sports masseuse can sort you out.

Oh and I just read about an 84 year old man who did the Leeds HM a couple of years ago in 2hr17!! I think I've read that right

Bloody hell, better keep that fella in mind during the race!

I'd also not come across mapometer - so easy to use! Thanks for the tip there. It will be good to know Igotta, forewarned is forearmed!

Have you ever had trouble with plantar fasciitis before FiftyNine? How frustrating, but it's good to have a plan of action. When are you travelling up for the HM? I found there were too many easily accessible chocolate and crisp sellers when I was living in London - and I always found I needed a pick me up after the tube!

I'm going to try and get out for a gentle run today after Tuesday's not very special effort. I was chatting to a colleague yesterday who does a lot of triathlons and general running, he's been very supportive of my endeavours but then asked if was aiming for two hours I've told him I'm slow but as he's fast I don't think he quite realises how slow that is!

To clarify, how slow I am not that two hours is slow!

I am cautiously optimistic that the massage has worked

She thinks the foot is soft tissue damage (hooray). She gave it a good massage and went quite deep, it was a bit sore last night but better this morning (she warned me it might hurt today). During the massage she also found a surprisingly tight hamstring on one side, and a matching tight glute on the other so worked quite hard on those bits.

I've just booked my hotel for Saturday night, didn't fancy DS1's student digs

Oh good, I was wondering today how you were getting on. Fingers crossed.

I didn't get out today - wanted to but was flagging and then realised it really wasnt a good idea on 2.5 hours sleep. Which should have occurred to me when I posted at an ungodly hour this morning, but clearly I'm a bit dim . I did remember to bring my trainers and Garmin home from work though, that would have been annoying!!

chutney & 5908 - Good luck!!! Can't remember if yours are Sat or Sunday (think its Sunday). Hoping I've got the right two peeps as well.

How are you weather forecasts looking? Have your massages worked?

I've got to do 11 miles tomorrow so will be thinking of you. Did an exhausting hill reps sesh on Tues which ended with me feeling that horrible staggering completely gasping for breath feeling but am hoping that has resulted in a great leap forward in my VO2 max.

Who's next after these two - mine is still 5 weeks away.

Yep, is us two this weekend. I am Sheffield HM with DS1 on Sunday Am just aiming to finish after two weeks off. Last time I said that I PB'd, but I doubt that will happen this time

Yoga today was all about breathing which I think will help on Sunday.

Good luck chutney!

Best of luck chutney and fiftyNine, hope it goes well for you both!!

Good luck for this weekend's HMs, hope all goes well and the weather is kind.
I have the Glen Livet 10k tomorrow, a rare flattish race in the Cairngorms! Hoping for dry weather so we can see the scenery!
Good luck all!