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?

Had a good run tonight - think I've now got my head around the fact that with run/walk you don't need to increase speed to increase pace as the increase in running time will do it for you.(if that makes sense?) Even managed to squeeze a few strides in towards the end.

Big bonus was that tonight's run included my 700th Km run this year - I'm doing the Underarmour You vs the Year challenge which involves running 1000km in 2016. Only have 296 to go.....

Is anyone else doing the GNR this year? I'm so excited - less than a month to go and my training plan is finally stepping up to include some proper long runs. Amazingly, I'm actually coping with the longer distances (although still under 10 miles atm!) which is making me feel more confident.

Sounds like it's going well OneFlew, good luck!
Nice 12 miles this morning, was tired at start so pleased to have coped well with all the hills. 7 weeks to go!

Thank you! I did 9 miles this morning and nearly killed myself on a couple of the hills but didn't stop once even if my last mile took me 13 minutes!

Hello cuckoo glad to hear the long runs are going well. Hats off emummy 12 hilly miles is great. I did 11 and a half from home up to the top of the Serpentine and back taking in the other Royal Parks as well. Long hard slog and my legs really ache now but I kept on telling myself that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Am wondering about switching one of the tempo runs this week to hill sprints - might jog down to the parkrun park and give it a go as it is the gradients rather than the distance which is causing the problems. Anyone any opinions on the relative merits of tempo vs hills?

Some great runs out there from everyone. Well done all.

Absolute rubbish long run from me tonight. Should have been 100 minutes, gave up after an hour, could have cried. Think it was fueling, really struggling with timing food on a Sunday. I've had a stern talking too from DH and he's offered to pick the kids up in the week so I can run after work, which will probably be better.

I think hills are very good london, our hilly parkrun alone has made a huge difference to my pace at our flat parkrun. I should think mixing it up has to be a good thing, especially as you said it's not the flattest half you're doing.

On a side note I tried the Road ID app and DD could follow my progress while I was out which I thought was pretty handy, it'll alert people too if I stop moving for five minutes.

Hello you lot! I am just slinking in here. I have moved house and had some horrendous personal stuff going on. But here I am with only 8 weeks to go til the Great Brum Run - my chances of making it up the hill (at mile 11) are very limited I can tell you. But I just want to be make it to the event for now. Anyway I have started with 3.75 miles today and felt ok. I need to make sure I get the frequency in now - there is really no room for slacking! I will catch up on the thread later.

Hello stilllearnin, sorry to hear life hasn't been kind to you recently.

Hi Still - it is possible to do a long run on not enough preparation - I did Great South last year on just 10ks - main thing I found was go slow and walk more than usual - just walk that hill and then you'll have enough in the tank to jog the last half a mile....

Chutney you did better than me as I missed my first tempo of the week - which was hill sprints no excuse just tired and wanting to watch the gymnastics. I did do a hilly route for the tempo yesterday and squeezed a few hill sprints in the middle - messed the tempo up a bit but at least I did some. Off to the forest of Dean tomorrow for a parkrun - can't wait to tun on a trail rather than tarmac for a change.....

Thanks both of you!

5908 - it is just how life is sometimes- we are often all of us dealing with quite tough stuff - but yes, it is hard hard hard!

In other news London I am much more confident about the HM. Did 5 today and remembered that I feel so much better at mile 5/6 and even better at mile 10. I like a hill but not sure at mile 11. Will be happy to turn up and get round and maybe do some shuffling on the hilly bit.

Also trying to lose about 7lbs to lighten my load. I have it to lose by the way - makes me sustainably slimish and still curvy!

Glad your confidence is up stilllearnin. Tough run this morning for me, it's been a tiring week which didn't help, but that's 12 miles two weeks in a row so pleased with that, onwards and upwards!

Well done runners. I volunteered yesterday at parkrun, haven't run all week because work and home have been bonkers but am going out in an hour or so when it cools down. I know I'll enjoy it when I am actually doing it, it's just the thought of doing it that is hard!

Hi runners - I'm signed up for my first HM is oct. currently battling piriformis is in my left hip too

I'm a bit anxious as its a v small HM and usually only 20-30 runners with last runner coming in at 2hr30 last year. Is this achievable as a HM or am I going to be incredibly far behind? There are a couple of big hills too - starting to panic!

Welcome Veterinari (have I spelt that right?)

2:30 is a perfectly respectable time for a HM-well it's about my usual time give or take 10 minutes either way. Is your hip improving?

I had a horrible run on Sunday. Went out planning to do 5 or 6 miles but got stomach cramps so diverted to the nearest loo. That was closed so I ended up stopping my garmin at 3 miles and walking another mile home. Anyway I think that was the kick I needed to get my fitness back, because I was thinking about some of my favourite longer routes and how I am not currently running enough to be able to manage them. So I got up early this morning and did 2 miles. Not much I know, but better than nothing. I haven't counted but I think I have about 6 weeks to go before the Royal Parks HM and I want to be running regularly (3 or 4 times a week including a long Sunday run) again by then.

vet (not even trying to spell it - lazy arse). I don't think it matters if you are far behind. Run for yourself and then plan a lovely recovery day. It's bloody 13.1 miles!!!! which is more than i could run at the beginning of this year and a great achievement. Set off to enjoy it - this is my plan. I am doing the opposite to you- the great brum run and I think I will come in with the majority of people. Think of how long it will take me to get out of there at the end!

5908 I have found that my running improves quite quickly with short frequent runs. I got up early too today and did 3.5 with some intervals and inclines.

What are we planning to do after our HMs then? I am going back to the apartment where we are staying for my dp to make me an epic breakfasty thing - avocado tomato and spinach will feature (he is the best meat eating vegan chef I have ever met).I am going to shower, fix my feet and then drink some Guinness.

Oh on that note I need some tips for basically not getting caught short in the runner's trots department. (trying to be polite here). It is an issue tho. I have heard of white carb loading - does that help? I am vegan btw.

still there is a poster on the running thread who took advice and ended up on white carbs, ham and cheese (could you sub with non-meat protein/vegan cheese?). My top is to avoid coffee too soon before a run

My plan is to go to my office after my run for a shower. I haven't decided to go by train or drive into London yet. Train probably easier, but that is what do I every day of the week.

Thanks guys. Fifty I'd be delighted to finish in 2 and a half. My worry is I'll be much slower than everyone else. A friend signed me up with him and it's a tiny local HM in a beautiful location.

I just have no idea what a sensible time is to aim for for a first HM

still I'd normally agree with you and I really want to relax and enjoy it but I'm also aware it's run by volunteers and they'll be hanging around waiting for me. I guess I just have to give it my best shot and also work on my strength training to fix my (seemingly permanent) shin splints and

Are you vegan 50? I'm trying to transition from vegetarian but finding it tough

vet I'm vegan - what are you finding tough (is it cheese?!! or double deckers?!!)

Ha ha! It's cheese, yoghurt, and eggs to some extent - milk is no problem - I don't buy dairy milk but I struggle with subbing things like creme fraiche or yoghurt in recipes or poached eggs at brunch (first world problem I Know!)

I've been listening to ultra running audiobooks recently (Scott Jurek and Rich Roll) and both advocate a plant based diet so maybe it will help my running too!

Just clocking in. I managed 10 miles on the thames path from home to Chiswick Bridge via Battersea Park on Monday evening. I find I'm struggling to go more than 10 miles though. Any advice on how to get a second wind at about 2 hours?

After the Royal Parks HM I'm planning on going to my club round the corner for a shower and some champagne. IF anyone on here wants to join me then do PM me.

Still may not be the healthiest or most appropriate advice but I find an Immodium 40 minutes before a long run usually helps.

Are people running for charity and if so which and why? Be lovely to hear your stories. I'm running for Stroke as I never get places in ballots. Also my DGM had a stroke in the late 1970s and spent the last years of her life paralysed down one side. Fast forward to the noughties and I joined a gym that specialised in people with medical conditions. A guy who had a stroke started coming in a wheelchair - he had to be helped out of it and onto the mat. A year later he could walk down the stairs as Stroke treatment has come on in leaps and bounds in the past 30 odd years.

Did someone say champagne ? Maybe I should let the train take the strain . london will PM you, am also conscious that I owe you a PM about dates.

Had a chatty 3.9 with a friend tonight that I would never have done on my own. She is doing the GNR in a few weeks.

I am not running for charity this time. I have run in the past for JDRF (someone close to me has Type 1 diabetes), and also did a 10K for World Child Cancer with some other MNers via Woolly Hugs.

I'm not a vegan. Used to be veggie until I got pregnant with DS1 and started craving steak and burgers before I even knew I was expecting. Hats off to those of you who are.

Not running for charity this time but the hm I'm doing raises money for charity so part of the fee goes to that I think, and will be sending a donation too. My race is about 3 hours drive away, so afterwards I think we will have lunch then head for home, might be having a takeaway for dinner though, not sure I will feel like cooking! Champagne sounds good...

vet mmm poached eggs...I think cheese takes about 10 days to get from your system, but I miss eggs a lot. The alpro soya cream is nice - not sure how it works in cooking. But it sounds like you like to cook and that is possibly your way to veganism.

I managed a faster 3.7 miles today. I really need to up my mileage and get in tune with a proper plan leading up to the HM.

I am not running for a charity this time. I feel a bit conscious of it somehow, but I think I will next time.

Thanks for the immodium tip. I know from experience to avoid nuts and coffee. I will need to see how I am nearer the time.

5908 train for sure. I think it will be nicer to take your time and have a little champagne celebration.

sorry when I said it takes 10 days to get cheese out of your system - I didn't mean physically (I am not one of those vegans!!!) I meant until you stop thinking it is something you have to eat!

...as you were !

I'll try the Imodium tip too - I have similar ishoos on longer runs.

Those if you that have run HM before - wgat would you say is a decent but achievable beginner time? I know it's the taking part that matters but I feel like I need a goal to push my training and also to reassure me I won't be hours behind the field on my tiny Hm.

Is 2 hrs 40 doable or is that unrealistic? I can currently run 10km at 6min 20/km but struggle with endurance - I'm practicing building up my endurance but slowing down plus some shorter hill sprints - does that sound ok?