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?

Day one of my taining - 3 miles done. Luckily it wasn't raining.

I've never felt shaky and weak in the actual hm or the training 13m distances I ran because I ate before. It's only been the shorter distances when I've headed out not fuelling properly. For me feeling that way relates to food, but then I'm like that normally, always have been.

Trying to decide what to do today. I should really do my long run but my shin has been starting to niggle slightly again, think I need new trainers and there's to be thunder and lightning (and high winds) when I can get out. Not fussed running in lightning, last time scared the crap out of me especially as I was in an area that wasn't built up.

Will probably do a shorter run around the town or hit the gym and do a bit on the treadmill with my workout.

Hope you're feeling a bit better now PurpleDaisies

Sounds like a long run wouldn't be the best plan Sirona!!

Hope all's well with everyone. I'm hoping to get started with some treadmill intervals tomorrow, if I can move after circuits and Pilates today.

Thanks sirona, I'm still feeling generally shaky and tired but my appetite is back so hopefully I'll be out in my running gear by the weekend.

Well done to everyone who has actually managed some running/exercise this week!

I'd love to do a half marathon this year but at the moment I'm only averaging 3 x 5km runs a week.

Do you think it's doable to get fit enough to do a half marathon training plan in time to run one in September?

Definitely oneflew! Most hm plans are 12 weeks, so that would be starting in June for you - plenty of time! And if you pick a beginner's plan, it will build you up gently. I did my first one running 4 times a week, but it is perfectly doable on 3 runs, with maybe some cross training if you have time

Thanks emummy - I did think it should be achievable but when I looked for training plans they all said "should be running 20 miles a week for at least 6 months" which is felt very steep but I wasn't sure whether I was being over ambitious or if they were just protecting themselves...

Totally doable Oneflew. I've seen a lot of people recommending the Hal Higdon training plans for hm. The novice 1 only assumes you can run 3 miles a few times a week, which is what you are doing :)

Glad to hear you're feeling better PurpleDaisies

I did only go for a shorter run yesterday, although now it's delayed the inevitable longer run for this weekend which means I have to get up early on my only day I can have a lie-in.

Thanks Sirona, I'll check it out! Was starting to feel a bit disheartened so happy to hear it's doable

I hope it's doableOneFlew. I'm not managing what you are at the moment and I'm hoping to do a HM in April .

Glad you're feeling better PurpleDaisies fingers crossed for a run at the weekend.

I'm starting my training plan proper next week but gave the speed intervals run a go at the gym today on the treadmill. Need to build the distance up a bit but was pleased - I'm rubbish at pushing my pace so there's no way out with this.

How long are your long runs at the moment Sirona?

hello, joining in the hm chat, my next is 10 weeks away. Only recently ish (maybe October?) returned to running properly after a horrible time of getting overactive thyroid better controlled and waiting for muscles to repair etc. I have a long run of 10-15 miles established but not much structure or speed work during the week, so I'm working on that at the moment and will keep my long one around 10.

Is anyone doing a 10 mile race or any shorter race beforehand? I find that a great boost

Did some strength and resistance excercises from my book last night. Quite difficult in the small space in my bedroom! The core excercise were ok but the strength ones were really hard - only managed about 3 press ups. I think my book is not really designed for old crocks like me.

I think a HM on 3 times a week would be doable too - I got up to 10 miles this summer by just adding another 10 mins to a long run each week. It wasn't very fast but if the aim is just to finish I think it would be fine.

devil - our local national trust place does a free 10k once a month which I'm planning to do once or twice becuase I like racing - makes me go faster and reminds me that I can.

So I got an email about the Great North Run ballot opening this morning but it turns out that it's the Sun ballot which precedes it. I've got a couple of questions:

1. Does the Sun ballot give you a significantly higher chance of getting in the GNR?
2. Do you have to wear a Sun t-shirt/branding if you get in via the Sun ballot? Because I'll probably wait for the general ballot if that's the case!

Good show with the speed intervals chutney Last weeks long run was 9 miles but I'm not going to increase for a couple of weeks. In fact I might drop a mile or two this week as I'm trying to build in another day running to bring it from twice a week to three times a week. I know they say 10 is prep enough for a hm but I like to do the 13 a few weeks before, more for the mental side of it. I know I can definitely do it on the day then. I found the last 3 the hardest in October (with the words 'it's only a parkrun left to go' echoing round and round my brain ) and it kept me confident I could finish as I'd done it several times before in training.

Hi devil :) I've no plans to do one, I don't think there's much here this time of year and I don't have a car so it really limits where I can go to. Are you doing one yourself?

I am totally and utterly useless at press ups CherryMinx. I can do them about half way down and up but still not accomplished touching chest to the floor and up without losing form. Practice makes perfect though, I'll get it one of these days.

Oneflew

I've entered can never believe how costly they are though. Lisbon half cost me 20 euros!! And London is £39 but I can never resist a big race

I've booked 2 this year so far - and one full. Plan on another later in the year or might make that a full M as well. Now my cold has gone and I can get on with training :)

My press ups get no where near the floor plus I'm doing an easy version where you kind of kneel on your knees. Today has been rest day and tomorrow more excercises.

I'm wondering whether to buy some trail shoes as I'm bored of running on roads but its so muddy at the moment.

I'm rubbish at press ups but at my circuits class the instructor said even small movements would strengthen and I'd get better. But he did make me straighten out so it was a straight line from my head to my knees (I'd been more on all fours). I found it it very hard and was only moving a fraction at first but it has helped. I can now do on my toes with very small movements. Mostly it encouraged me that something was better than nothing. Halfway down would be phenomenal Sirona

I've been thinking about trail shoes too CherryMinx. Mine have taken a battering even at parkrun. I've been toying with doing a 15k trail run in March but it's a tough course, so don't know if it would help my prep and I'd definitely need some proper footwear.

15k trail run sounds nice. There are lots of off road runs round here so might try some after HM over. I don't mind muddy knackered looking trainsers but they aren't very grippy are they?

Excercises went a bit better today although one is supposed to involve lifting a kettle ball which I don't possess so had to improvise with a heavy saucepan. 3 mile run tomorrow .....

Mine aren't very grippy at all, I had a very slow start to parkrun today through the mud! But as my training plan has a run of three miles for the first week, run one, I'm counting it! Nearly hit my PB too so I'm feeling very positive today.

Hope your run goes well CherryMinx but I'm definitely smiling at the saucepan!!

Nice improvisation CherryMinx. I saw Lidl are doing kettlebells atm although I'm not sure if the offers are different here in NI compared to the mainland. They look like vinyl ones in the advert, cast iron are best for swinging as they're smaller but if it's just for lifting they should be ok.

Fantastic chutneypig, well done on the almost PB.

If I'm at the gym`and doing burpees or similar I do press ups on my knees myself. Frightened of falling flat on my face in class by trying it on my toes . I only do it on my toes at home and do as far as I can go so good to hear an instructor says that :) A couple of months ago I could hardly move down at all but trying to persist with it.

Long run done for the week. Was freezing and lashing rain but I got a chance to wear my new under armour coldgear stuff I was bought for Christmas. Kept me toasty and warm but not too hot and sweaty. Perfect.

That's me resting for the remainder of the weekend as I've been working out all week.

Also got soaked running today and one of my earphones stopped working but did manage to splash out on fancy new running capris and long sleeved top to replace my ancient tracksuits which are in no way technical or wicking.

Can't see myself acquiring out on a kettleball any time soon - kitchen utensils are the way to go chez moi.

The programme I'm following is pretty easy at the moment as before Xmas I was doing over 15 miles a week but in this horrid weather and the dark its fine and it ramps up quite quickly.

Hello all, I managed 9 sunny miles today I was very slow, but at least I know I have the miles in my legs. Two short runs during the week as well, so about 15 miles in total (Weds/Thurs/Sun). I probably won't get out again now until Wednesday.

Cherry there were lots of people out running today in what looked like smart new running kit. I've had two recommendations recently for TK Maxx for running gear so might have a look.

I used to be able to do the half press ups in the days when I was a 30 day shredder but doubt I could do them now no intention of finding out either

15K trail sounds great chutney I was asking about trail shoes on the main running thread a while ago and there were some good recommendations there. My runs are a mixture of trail and road (although I stuck firmly to paths today after all the rain we've had) and the advice was not to use trail shoes on the road, so I'm sticking to what I have.

Sounds like you have a lot on Mrsb! Which ones are you doing

Lots of great chat here - where is your trail run chutney? I really fancy more off roading this year. I had new trail shoes recently fifty and they are brilliant.

I did my first HM in over 10 years in the autumn and loved it, it was a trail one so not quite so time focused. I did not need gels but did appreciate a few jelly babies. I had no done structured training but had been managing a long run once a week (about 8ish miles) for about 6 weeks in addition to parkrun and a midweek trot. I was sore the day or 2 after but survived.

Looking forward to the lighter days like many others

So my training has begun in earnest ... but man, it's hard not to be a bit downhearted at how much fitness I've lost since last year! Did a 25-minute run today and planning to increase that by a few minutes each time I go out this week so that by next weekend I'm running 35 minutes, which should be a comfortable 5K. Then I'll start a 6-week plan to get to 10K, which will incorporate a bit of speedwork, then the HM plan to see me through to the end of May.

I honestly can't believe that last May I could run for more than 2 hours when I am struggling to do 25 minutes now! Am trying to console myself with the thought that fitness comes back fairly quickly (fingers crossed...).

To cheer myself up I spent £60 on new kit in TK Maxx on Saturday and have just been looking at the Matalan stuff too (surprisingly very nice)