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?

still thank you for the clarification

Vet 2:30-2:40 is entirely achievable. My HM PB is 2:19, my PW is 3:05. The 3:05 was my most recent one, so I haven't improved with practice! Time of year, terrain and how well trained/rested I am all make a difference.

I have had a look back through some of my times and I ran 2:42 for my first ever HM, 2:27 for my second and 2:44 for my third. My last 5 have all been around 2:30 except for the 3:05 off-road mudbath I bet you will surprise yourself!

Thanks 50 that's incredibly encouraging abd really helpful

The best advice I was ever given was to treat a HM as a ten mile run with a parkrun tacked on the end. Anyone can do a parkrun right? And you can train to 10 miles.

Yep, and I do think I can run 10 miles and enjoy it and then you know, if I had to, I could walk three miles. 8.25 today and feeling like I can actually do it.

You can definitely do it, stilllearnin and Veterinari, my philosophy has always been 'slow and steady wins the race'!
This morning's rather slow long run has made me dial down my expectations for October, although I'm hoping the actual race has slightly less ascent than I did today. It's a bit hard to tell from the map, I do know there is a nasty 200m climb near the start!

I went out for 8 miles today. The plan was to go early-ish, but I ended up faffing around trying to get some photos from my phone on to DH's computer and ended up going in the middle of the day and it was really really hot. I felt like I was going out too fast, so at mile 2, and every mile thereafter I turned of my garmin and stopped for a drink/rest/stretch. There's a place at about 4.5 miles where I usually fill up my water bottle/use the loo, so I made sure I stopped there as well. I was just under 1hr 30 not counting all the stoppage time.

emummy I am thinking about doing a 10K trail in the Peak District with DS1 in the autumn. As I may have mentioned, there are very few hills around where I live, although I can drive to fid some. Have you got any training tips for me?

Well, try to do regular off road runs beforehand, even if they're fairly flat, just to get used to the surface. If you can't get to a hill, a nice big flight of steps can be good, just running up and walking down. If you can drive to some hills, either do a long run on a hilly route, or practice hill repeats. Check out the route beforehand to see how hilly it is and what the surface is like; you may need trail shoes if it may be pretty muddy or uneven. Also the profile of the route can be helpful, you can try to do some long runs on a similar route.
Trail running is lovely, times are always longer, it's more about the experience( at least that's what I tell myself!).

Afternoon all, back in the land of wifi . I've been on holiday so had a few short 5k but very hilly runs in the bag. I feel like it's done me a lot of good but getting slightly twitchy with four weeks to go. I don't think I'm going to fit in a long run till next weekend, planning 100 minutes and then 120 the week after before I start winding down. I don't really know where I'm at expectations wise, so I'm going to fit in some speed treadmill sessions.

Vet, I've only done one half and it sounds like the one you're doing. I finished faster than I thought at 2.21. It was quite pleasant at the back, plenty of space so I think I was more in control of my pace if that makes sense? The one I'm doing next month has ten thousand people running, but of a shift!

If hills are in short supply Fifty then I've found running up and down one is pretty effective, didn't need to be a long session.

Had a bit of an off week as it has been so hot - managed 5k on Wednesday morning but it was hideous. Skipped Thursday and then had a rather over indulgent weekend so only managed 4k on each of Saturday and Sunday. However have just got back from a 12.5 mile run up to the top of the Serpentine and back so am starting to feel a bit more confident.

still they do say if you can run 8 miles you can run a HM so sounds as it you are on top of it.

emummy if you plot a run into mapmyrun it will give you the elevation so you can compare the run you did with your HM route.

Am hoping for a cooler week to get the tempo runs back on track

Fifty great words of advice from emummy. Any off road running will get you used to trail. I am so much slower off road but find it so much more interesting.
I have 3 weeks to go until my 16 miler and 5 weeks until my next half😃
Just got back from holiday today two weeks camping. I managed to run both weeks a 10 mile one, 4 5k's and a 10k run.
Getting out for another long run tomorrow looking at 14_15 miles.
vet my first half I ran in 2.39 second was 3.30 but that was my first trail half.

I would love to do trail running - my natural habitat is the woodland - although I am really clumsy and likely to twist an ankle or two on uneven surfaces!
I went out for a quick 4 miles yesterday. I know I am going to be worried about the sheer number of people at the HM. It is going to be manic I think. Which makes me think I should look for a smaller one so that I can try both types pretty quickly.

I know what you mean still but having done the BUPA London 10k and the Great SouthRun a couple of times now it isn't as bad as you think. I find it helps to start out near the back of your time group as you'll have a bit more space. Once you've done the first half mile or so people tend to spread themselves out and it all settles down. The main thing is not to go faster than you want even if you are caught up in a group of speedos - take it easy - it is their job to get round you not your job to keep up with them...

Thanks for the advice - I was already thinking about starting at the back of the group. I can't actually remember what group I have put myself in! But I think 2.20 or 2.30 both are realistic on a normal run.

All this talk on times is useful! I did 12 miles over the weekend. I'm trying to start my long run at the same time as my race. It was hot even early in the morning so that affected my time. Did it in 2hr30 but the last couple of miles was slow, my legs just couldn't go any faster. I've got 2 more long runs left before I start tapering. I would like like to do it in 2hr15- 2hr20. Hopefully a few more practice runs will mean I feel more comfortable running 12 miles. I just have to find an extra mile on the day.

Hi all
Can i join you please? I am doing the great scottish run on the 2nd October. This is my motivation to get my back to fitness and lose the pounds after having two babies. Training was a bit stop start but is coming together now and my eating is much better. .well for the last week anyway...I've managed to cut out all the sugary goodness that I was blatantly addicted too.long may it continue. I'm hoping to do a 10 miler this weekend. I'm slow...more of a plodder than a runner but once I start I don't stop and hoping to do the half in around 2.20/2.30. I haven't read the full thread...is anyone else doing the great scottish run half?

Welcome Cguk81! Was debating doing that race but am doing the Glen Coe half on the same day instead. I think the Glasgow one will be great, good luck!

My goodness emummy that is an impressive route! Would love to hear all about it afterwards. Hope the training is going well.

Welcome Cguk81 I don't think your alone with stop start training over the last few weeks! Is it your first half?

Timing the long runs is hard this time of year. I fear for hot weather on the day, at least you'll be well prepped Lonoxo, it's a good plan and must be especially good for sorting out your breakfast beforehand.

How much slower do people find they are on trail? I do enjoy trail but feel like I'm not very good at it but perhaps that's all in my head, escpially with times. I guess it's also far more variable between routes too. I've been debating a trail 10k the week before the half, but don't know if it'll throw me off and also worry a bit a twisting something.

Hi chutneypig, this is my 2nd half. I did the rock n roll half in edinburgh back in 2012 and really enjoyed it. Have had two children since then,gained about 2.5 stone and lost most of my fitness so I've had to start back from scratch. Its taken a lot of time and false starts but im noticing a really difference now that I've changed my diet.

That's a wise idea to do training runs at the same time as the event as my half starts at 12 but I usually do my longer runs at 8ish so quite a bit earlier.

I'm struggling to get my core strong again after my pregnancies...my stomach muscles are shot and I quite often get a stitch when running. I think the two might be related so need to start doing some sit ups or such like. I bought a weighted hula hoop which I like but find it quite painful and end up quite bruised after using it...I'm hoping it will get better with time!

I found Pilates is fantastic for my core. 30 day shred also seemed to help but I think Pilates has had more impact on running as it's more of a whole body thing.

I have the 30 day shred but it's not been out the box yet. I had actually forgotten about it. I'll give it a go tomorrow and see how long I last!

Thanks all. Did 12km today in 1hr 30 but that was on trails, with hills and with dogs (who were being dicks) but feeling a bit down. Just really worried about my endurance. I feel like running for more than an hour is really tough for me.

I don't have a lot of running experience - I started C25K last Nov, and did my first 10km in May but don't feel like I've progressed since (family issues and lack of training time) Starting to panic about being super slow for the HM in a field of 30! Thanks for yr words Chutney

I usually don't carry water or snacks when I run - do I need to do this for HM training? I'm wondering if my 1 HR 'wall' could be carb or hydration related? Or am I looking for excuses at this time/distance and just need to push through?

Also I just wanted to recommend the Tough Girl podcast (I'm clearly not in that category) it's a great motivational podcast of incredible women runners, adventurers etc, and i listen to it when running