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Original poster

Half marathon - any one doing one?

996 replies

Cherryminx · 31/12/2015 16:25

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?

OP posts:
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chutneypig · 11/09/2016 16:37

How'd it go Vet?

Last two hour long run done, 10.5 miles. Bit less than I'd hoped but it was warm. I ran/walk it and it felt pretty comfortable. Doing lots of stretching now!

emummy · 11/09/2016 16:59

Well done chutney, running in the heat is hard. Longest run for me today, 14.5 miles on a route I did as a night run last year. Much nicer in daylight, but still really tough. Have calf sleeves on now, may spend rest of today on the sofa!

Veterinari · 11/09/2016 17:12

Well the Total Warrior was enormous fun! I'd definitely recommend it if you don't mind mud and water! It was 12km but the obstacles slowed me down a lot. I wasn't quick but felt comfortable the whole way round and running up to the end and its spurred me on for the HM, trotting along enjoying the views was the best bit!

Aiming to hit 10 miles on my long run this week

emummy · 11/09/2016 17:35

Sounds great Veterinari, well done! Good luck with the 10 miles

Veterinari · 11/09/2016 18:42

Thanks emummy I'm inspired by you and Chutney I think having this thread to report back to will be really helpful

When are all of your HMs?

londonmummy1966 · 11/09/2016 19:32

Well done vet emummy and chutney the muddy obstacles do sound fun - I might find one to do sometime.

I went out for the first of my tapered long runs - only 8 miles so I tried to make it pretty hilly. Legs were actually quite tired from yesterdays parkrun (new pb) so I think that I need to slow them down a bit until November.

Vet I have found this thread a godsend as I don't have anyone to train with. Being able to whinge about the weather/hills etc and getting encouragement from everyone else is so helpful for an HM novice like me. I'm doing Royal Parks at the beginning of next month and then the Great South at the end.

Has anyone here done the Great North (this weekend I think?) if so how did you do?

SvenandSven · 11/09/2016 19:50

Well that is all my training done. I got out for a 14 mile run on Wednesday I ran a mixture of road and off road including some monster hills. That took me 3hours and 34 minutesSmile.
Tomorrow I'm doing a simple easy 5k. Then a week today is Purbeck 16 thats 16.5 miles of trail, hills, coastal path and a variety of different terrain.
Then it's recovery time for Bournemouth half marathon two weeks later on 2nd October.
My thoughts are also turning to the VLM ballot did anyone here enter the ballot?

emummy · 11/09/2016 21:31

Sounds good Sven!
I am doing the Glen Coe half on October 2nd - 3 weeks, eek! Today's 14.5 with 587m of climb took 2hr50, have no idea what time I will do in the race!

FiftyNineOhEight · 11/09/2016 22:25

Excellent running folks.

I haven't got out all week as I had a hideous cold. Did yoga on Friday, a slow parkrun yesterday and 8.5 miles today. I flagged after 5, but had to keep going as I had to get home Grin. I turned my watch off once I realised I was probably walking more than running. My mind was playing stupid games and I was having to whack gremlins off my shoulder who were trying to tell me I could stop Grin.

I can't remember if I mentioned it, but I had some coaching at work recently as a one-off. The lady who coached me also coaches support people so when I told her I was a runner she gave me some tips, including that if I was using a long run to mull things over I should focus on the positive ("I can do this") instead of negative thoughts ("It's too hard"), because thought patterns get laid down during exercise. I have tried to keep that in mind for my last few runs, and just thought I'd share in case useful.

My next HM is 9 October, same one as londonmummy, and then I have another booked for early December, with a 10K trail in between Shock

Inspired by chutney's cross training (you seem to be doing lots of other stuff as well as running), I have signed up for a 6am bootcamp starting on Tuesday.

One of my friends did the GNR - all I have heard so far is that it was hot Smile

Veterinari · 12/09/2016 06:10

Ooh! You're all much quicker than me - but my HM is not till mid Oct so I have some time. My plan is to be hitting HM distance before the end of the month then tapering down before my HM in mid Oct - please stick with the thread after you've all done your HM - I need you! Grin

stilllearnin · 12/09/2016 08:46

5908 that's really handy as I had almost exactly the same experience on Saturday!

vet I am on the same time line as you, so let's stick together. Going to try to do shorter runs more frequently and then a longer run a week until I hit 13 miles and then taper too.

Jointhejoyrun75 · 12/09/2016 09:43

Hi everyone, panicking as got first ever HM in less than a week Shock Training has not quite gone to plan as the longest I've run is 10.5 miles - never done a 13! I feel as though I have very little left in me after 10 miles. And I have not even dared check the route for hills!

Should I think about pacing myself especially, or just aim to complete?

londonmummy1966 · 12/09/2016 10:09

Hello joy welcome to the thread. Its my first HM as well and everyone has been telling me just to aim to finish. (My private time target is half an hour less than it would take me to walk it - so its not ambitious.) I did a running leaders course once and they said that it is possible to do a half marathon if you can run 8 miles. When I first joined this thread worried and with a sparkly new training plan one of the others - can't remember who- had some sterling advice - that you can do a HM on any amount of training but your time and your recovery will both be longer the less you do. I keep remembering that when the hot weather has meant I've had to miss a midweek run.

I had a problem a few weeks ago with hitting a wall at 10 miles - some good advice on here about hydrating before you feel you need it got me over that. If you have time, go back on this thread to late July or so and then read through as the advice the experienced HMers have been giving is really useful - thank you guys so much!!

Jointhejoyrun75 · 12/09/2016 10:38

Thank you londonmummy for the really good advice, not to mention reassuring. I don't tend to carry water for 10 miles so will make sure I have some during the race. I shall have a look through past posts as well. When is your first HM?

londonmummy1966 · 12/09/2016 11:05

joy I'm doing Royal Parks at the beginning of next month - help!
Does your HM put a course map on its website? If so you could look at where the water stops are - ought to be 3 on a run of that length. I don't carry water with me but as I'm running in London I carry cash as there's always a newsagent or corner shop I can pop in to to buy a small bottle.

Notonthestairs · 12/09/2016 11:23

Hello - can I join this thread? I need some inspiration.
I ran the GNR yesterday (very slowly - 2 hrs 36 - but I was chuffed to pieces to have got round). My training feel to pieces over the school summer holidays and I had only done one 18km run before the race so I was very nervous. It was brilliant although hot - I have sunburn on my nose as well as blisters on the soles of my feet.

Now I have got it under my belt I want to plan some more! I have also put in for the London Marathon ballot but I have applied 11 times so I am not expecting a place!

emummy · 12/09/2016 13:53

Well done Notonthestairs, that's a great result, especially on such a hot day. I hope you can find some more good races today, good luck with the ballot!
Welcom Jointhejoyrun75. You should be absolutely fine having done 10.5 miles. The water stations on the route should be enough unless it turns out to be a very hot day in which case you might want to take some with you. I would take a look at the route description. If there are hills don't let that put you off, just use it to help you plan your run on the day. I did a race last year that had a huge hill after 1 mile, loads of people set off fast, I let them go as I wanted to conserve my energy for the hill and I must have passed about 50 people climbing that hill! The most important thing is to enjoy the day so good luck!

Sirzy · 12/09/2016 17:23

Hesitantly slipping into the thread. I have signed up for my first half next March so hopefully this will help me complete it!

standingonlego · 12/09/2016 17:37

I have a trail half in November, just been plodding round parkrun recently so need to get on the case. I ran it last year and would love to improve my time

stilllearnin · 12/09/2016 17:57

I'd love to do trail running, but I am weirdly hesitant about it! (twisty ankles maybe?).
Notonthestairs I would be very happy with that time (and indeed with making it round!!)
joy I wonder if you will surprise yourself!

Veterinari · 12/09/2016 18:52

Oh! I love trail running lego how do you find trail HMs?
I've done a few trail 10kms and its so much nicer than the road but wouldn't know where to look for a HM?

JeanGenie23 · 12/09/2016 19:20

I completed my first HM (GNR) yesterday, it was fantastic, I completed it in 2hrs19. It was hot, and I hadn't imagined that in the North East!
I loved it and have registered my interest for next year. I am also doing a local 10k next month just to keep running and I have another HM booked in for May of next year.
Running has been a real revelation for me after giving birth. I feel strong and capable, much more than I have ever done. Smile

Veterinari · 12/09/2016 20:12

Oh you've all got great times! Well done! It inspiring me to up my pace a bit!

standingonlego · 12/09/2016 22:46

My HM is a local-ish one a friend recommended but you can look in back of runners world or do a search. It is not a full trail as some of it is on the canal path so a nice introduction!

standingonlego · 12/09/2016 22:51

dirtrunning.org.uk/dirt-half/