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?

Might not be a bad idea Lurking, I'm in the same boat as you where I've recently started again and am trying to get to where 5k is comfortable again. You're right, that's the hardest bit, one you're past that the kms come a lot easier.

Does the Ed HM course still have that awful bit at the end where you run along the road for about 4 miles with the people ahead running in the other direction in the other lane, then you turn back on yourself? That was gruelling! Mental torture.

My book for whoever it was who asked is the DK book of running which like all DK books has many lovely pictures. I've not managed a run yet as had family staying but have written in all my plan into a training diary and it looks fairly manageable. In the summer I got up to a 10 mile run and up until the last three weeks was doing 3 * 4 mile runs a week but then I got a horrid cold and did almost nothing.

The thing I hate about winter running is that I'm almost always doing it in the dark and as there aren't many street lights round here the routes I can run are very limited. IN the summer I have lots of lovely off road routes - roll on March when the clocks change.

I'm trying to work on more all round fitness for this - not just running but doing some swimming/ cycling and strength excercises. I run with a running club once a week which is very good for clocking up the miles without getting bored as there is always someone to chat to at the back.

Agree with you Aye about seeing people ahead of you coming back while you are still going. The 10k I did was like that but as it was an Xmas fun run I could console myself with the thought that the leader was not being slowed down by wearing fancy dress (although it has to be said that my fancy dress was only a Santa hat so not much of a hinderance really!)

Yes Aye Edinburgh still has that bit! Think it's only 2 miles but felt like 4! I think it was not knowing when the turn was that made it painful, if I did it again I would know it's just before 11 miles and be less bothered.

Just get your trainers on PurpleDaisies and do it! The first couple of times will be the worst then you'll be back in the swing of it :)

the worst part of mine (Belfast) was thinking the run in the park was the end but it actually ran through then looped back again. Of course thinking I was finishing I'd speeding up. On that bit too you had everyone who had already finished walking home the opposite way to you with their finishers packs and medals. I'm not ashamed to admit I heaved slightly but successfully barely managed to keep my stomach down at the finishing line as I'd pushed myself hard. On the plus side I'm sure I got a slightly better time because of it.

Thanks for the book recommendation Cherry. I hate summer running myself, I heat very easily and sweat buckets so the winter suits me. The all round approach seems to be working for me rather than just running loads. I do gym, kettlebells, trx and the odd bit of bootcamp and yoga - or fitness blender videos when I cant get out of the house because of the dc. I'm less bothered with niggles running and my general fitness and strength has improved loads.

I struggle with winter routes too Cherryminx. The only streetlights in the village give a circuit of less than a kilometre, it's not very inspiring. I'm thinking I might make the most of the light and drive to work, run and then shower at work. When it gets lighter I can stop by the park which has longer routes but it'll be pitch black for a while yet.

It's good to hear you find the all round approach has helped Sirona, I've been doing more of that sort of thing over winter so will try and keep going.

Edinburgh sounds great. I'm off to do some further investigating of possibles.....

My other issue with longer run is the dreaded loo breaks (and not just wees IYSWM). Not sure how I'm going to manage it for a half marathon but hopefully will get to know my bowels betters - I never thought I'd say that a year ago .

Did a nice 3 miler today in the rain just to get myself going again.

I guess we'll find out on the long runs Cherryminx. I've read a lot about nutrition and gels and stuff too and testing those out on the long runs. It sounded very complicated - did those of you who've done halfs find it difficult to work out what works best? Or is is a big fuss about nothing?

I think I've found the one I'm aiming for. I know the route well. I say aim as there might be family logistical complications but it doesn't usually fill up so I'm going to target it and see how the logistics pan out. It's in April so will really motivate me to get started.

I'm just going to keep active this coming week and get back into work then plan in the runs for the following week.

I've read a lot about nutrition and gels and stuff too and testing those out on the long runs. It sounded very complicated - did those of you who've done halfs find it difficult to work out what works best? Or is is a big fuss about nothing?

I don't think they're necessary at all for halfs, IME. Full marathon they are needed I'm sure (not done one) but I've never needed them, or felt like I needed them, during a HM.

But then I don't like faff, and I'd hate to have to carry stuff round with me so maybe that's why I never considered them.

Cherry I know where every loo is on every single one of my running routes . There was quite a lot of chat on the running thread last year about how to avoid GI problems - what I remember is needing to eat a fairly bland diet in the lead-up to an event.

Re gels etc - I used to use them when training and running HMs, and got through a lot when I was training for a full marathon (they gave them out at about mile 18 of the full). However, I didn't really like the way they made me feel (a bit sick and very wired) and stopped bothering with them after my marathon. I carry jelly babies or tangfastic sweets in a zip lock bag and pop one in the side of my mouth for a bit of a boost. If it's hot I carry a sports drink and sip it. And I always take water at every water station.

If you are going to use gels you should try them out in training first and find what suits you - some can give you a sore tummy, and you don't want that happening on race day.

Fingers crossed the family logistics get sorted chutney so you can do your HM!

I think fuel while running is different for everyone, and perhaps is something you need less when you get more experienced. I use clif shot bloks during hms, starting with one at 45-50 mins, then one every half an hour after that and find that keeps me going, and that without them I can start to flag a little. However on my last race I got a stitch and felt yucky so might need to review that! Although it was at night and off road and involved lots of big hills, so maybe those things were the problem. I think if you find yourself struggling for energy on longer runs, say after 10 miles, you could try out different fuel. Some people like gels or bloks, some prefer dried fruit or jelly beans, you can just try them and see what you think. I tested mine out at the end of runs, so that if they upset my tum I didn't have far to go to the toilet!

I've always used couple of jelly babies for when I flag at the end and usually carry a drink with one of those electrolyte tabs in them that I sip because as I said previously I sweat quite heavily :)

I actually bought one of those race packs from Wiggle last week that has a range of gels and tabs and sports bloks etc to try some of them out. Was only about £7 so not dear and if they don't agree with me I can hand them over to someone else on the group runs I sometimes do. Plus there was a big sports bottle with it I can use for the gym. If they're ok I'm in the thinking about it stages of training for a marathon next year so it'll do for then.

Yes! I'm signed up for a half marathon in May - have only ever done a 10k before which was in the summer. Lost momentum after that but have been out 3 times a week since the start of December and back up to 8k but slightly intimidated at how much further I have to go. Am enjoying getting fitter and luckily live in a city so running in the dark is possible.

Hoping to fit in some cross training soon - going to aim for spin class once a week.

My big worry is knees, have always been a little creaky so am trying to build up the distance slowly.

Have just ordered some energy gels as I've been struggling with morning runs, a full breakfast is too heavy but can't run on an empty stomach.

I am fully prepared to do an extensive analysis of the effect of jelly babies, jelly beans or tangfastics . Thanks for all the experiences, something to work on during training.

Sounds like you've put in a lot of work fromheretomaternity. Have you tried smoothies at all? I've never been a big one for breakfast ever and can manage 10 k without but I have dabbled with those. Anything solid seems to give me stitch.

Oh I get a stitch after breakfast/food too! I'm at my best running in the evenings as then lunch as had time to settle. When I run in the mornings, I do it on an empty stomach, which is not great.

Smoothie for breakfast is an interesting idea, although I'd worry it might make me need to loo en-route.

It's a minefield!

fromhere my knees were always my biggest worry. They are clicky, creaky and I'm slightly knock-kneed looking If you've done 10k I think you should be fine. Last year I took it very slow and only increased my distance by 1km a week on my long runs rather than the mile on the training plans and backed off immediately, iced and rested when I felt pain. Only happened once though and that was ITB knee pain and 10 days off sorted it.

For morning runs I have to get up two hours earlier. I'm not a breakfast person at all, never have anything more than a coffee in the morning but I reluctantly force myself to eat some porridge first thing and give it time to settle. It really does make a big difference as otherwise I feel very shaky and weak if I run bigger distances without it. Also do my best running at night. I love getting out later on in the dark.

I've had the odd smoothie during the day before a run when I'm hungry and don't have time to eat and it to settle. My favourite is almond milk, cherries, cacao powder, chai seeds and some oats whizzed together.

I'm dreadful at running in the evening, I'm definitely a morning person but can be a pain fitting runs in. The smoothie I've used a lot is oats, milk, natural yogurt and a splash of honey whizzed up, maybe with a banana in. I guess it all underlines the importance of training and knowing where the toilets are en route!

I also used the Clif shot block things for last year's HM and they really helped. They seemed to be the only things that didn't melt en route! I read just before the race that the secret was to take the first one well before you felt yourself flagging a bit (obvious, really) so I started at about the halfway point and worked my way through a pack of them. I do think that's what kept me going through that awful loop at the end that people have mentioned!

Im hoping to do the GNR this year. Ever since I was a teen I have wanted to do it. I watched it once when I was about 13ish and was surprised that there were everyday ordinary folk doing it. I thought then if they can do it why can't I?

Now Im 37 this month so have decided that hopefully this is my year.

The Ballot opens this month so my fingers are crossed I get on. I know I wont get enough sponsorship to go direct through a charity so that route is not an option, but I am thinking if I do get on to do it for charity anyway. Surely £50 to a charity of my choosing is better than nothing.

Oh yes, forgot there's a banana in the smoothie I said too. That's ounds nice too chutney

Good luck with the ballot DrHarleen, when do you hear if you've been successful? GNR is about Sept isn't it? I also would have no mission of raising the amount of money charities look for these days. I did as you said for my OCR last year and applied myself and sent whatever I could to a charity.

Well there will be no running here today. Weather is foul and have no babysitters available for dc. Thank goodness school and playgroup starts tomorrow so we can all get into some sort of routine again.

Those of you who have done HMs before - what is it that makes you feel shaky/ weak legged? Is it not enough food or just not being fit enough?

I've done 10ks and felt like this and thought that maybe because I've been worried about the dreaded loo breaks I've not eaten enough beforehand.

No running here today due to massive post Xmas housework backlog but tomorrow evening its all starting. I often end up running quite late (9pm) as can't do it straight after dinner and have no chance during the rest of the day.

It wasn't that I felt shaky or weak-legged as such. I would just get a bit knackered on long runs and need a little energy boost, although I'm fully prepared to admit it might be largely psychological and I'd have been fine without! I will definitely invest in the same ones again this year (they are quite pricey, though, so I only use them on race day and for one or two long runs beforehand).

I'm also hoping to do the GNR drharleen and will be crossing fingers for both of us in the ballot. I got really inspired after watching it on tv last year. Nottingham is my back up if I don't get a place. A good friend died just before Christmas from melanoma so I think I'll be raising money for a related charity.

Thanks for the encouragement sirona. No running yet due to stomach bug (does back and forth the toilet count?) but I'm planning on starting park run in February one I'm back up to being able to comfortably run 5k. I always do better with a target!

I've never felt particularly bad during HMs (but I'm not fast, and don't really push myself as hard as I probably should). I've crashed a few times afterwards, which I think is related to not eating soon enough afterwards, or, in one case, getting really cold and using up a lot of energy trying to stay warm. If I know I'm driving any distance after a HM I always make sure I eat and drink (even if I don't feel hungry) before setting off.

I think the theory is that most people can run a HM using just their natural glycogen stores, rather than needing to burn fat - your body will always use the most readily available fuel, and it's harder work to metabolize fat into energy than glycogen. Especially if you are topping up with gels/jelly babies/sports drinks, and have a decent carb-based meal a couple of hours before the start.

Thanks sirina for the info on the knees, they are not too bad at the moment so keeping my fingers crossed. Am finding the fitness is building up quite quickly with getting out 3x a week - need to make sure I keep up the momentum once I'm back at work - hard to find the time so might end up doing evening runs like cherryminx.