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?

You're in! Welcome!

Nice running, Sven, well done!

Yesterday's HM went well; I'd decided not to worry about my time, so just enjoyed the (absolutely gorgeous) scenery. In the end, I did it in 2:23, which for an 'undulating' 22.5 km I'm pleased with!
It is a lovely route, even if the canal bit gets quite dull eventually, and the organisers are fab; they do a series challenge which I'm tempted by for next year.

Hello Kitty London Marathon, ooh! Hope you have a lovely 7-miler today.

Sounds like a very tough one Sven, congratulations on achieving better than you hoped for!

Glad your HM went well too botters. I had my first HM yesterday too, but unlike yours it was pretty flat all round apart from a couple of hills at the end, one of which I walked for 2 secs. The atmosphere was brill, as it was a big one, and it was very well organised. I stuck to jelly babies to help me along during, and need to learn how to drink while running without choking! I was very pleased with my time which was 1:47, I'd been aiming for 2 hours! Can't wait to do another one now . Legs are feeling a little delicate today, so definitely having a few days off!

Kitty I was terrified too in the lead up to mine. I had only managed 10 miles in my training runs. I generally find I need water and jelly babies / something to provide a boost after around 10 miles. You'll love it!

Well doneBotters much the best way to do any sort of run I think. Joy I'm just at that time - I'm aiming for 2.45 for mine.......

Hello Kitty definitely need to sort out hydration. I finally got my head around it about 2 weeks ago and it makes a big difference.

still

Thanks all.

My 7 felt good, I had more in the tank which makes me feel good.

Any advise for H&N? I think I definitely need water or sports drink on more than a 10k but I have no idea when to start eating? I've got some free gels and my friend suggested haribo or jelly babies as well. Ideally I want to run as long as possible without food as I don't want to get stuck carrying tonnes of gels on my marathon run (they confuse me saying once you start taking them you need them every 20mins! Surely that's not quite right! I worked out I'd need about 12 for the marathon!)

With gels, you need to take them before you're out of energy, rather than once you're struggling. I learned that to my detriment during a marathon a few years ago. I'd been pacing it well, taking a gel every few miles, but I felt so good at 18 miles that I decided to skip one. Next thing I know I completely hit the wall, and I ended up finishing half an hour slower than I'd hoped for.

The other thing with gels is, they make you poo. Sorry. So when you're practicing with them on training runs, choose routes with public toilets or your own bathroom along the way!

I don't really need anything other than water until I'm running beyond about 15 miles, but everyone's different. That said, I did have two gels during my last half marathon, as it's a very hilly course and I needed a boost!

I also don't go by the 20-min thing. I would seriously be throwing up and desperate for the loo, all at the same time, if I took on that much gel. I think it's just a question of experimenting and finding out what suits your body.

Re H&N, I don't generally take anything for a 10K or under, unless it's really hot.

For my half-marathons, I've tried varying amounts of water / Lucozade / food and discovered that for me, I'm best off having little bits of water regularly and the occasional jelly baby after about 5 miles.

Lucozade gives me stomach cramps! I know people who swear by gels, and others who never use them, so I would recommend trying a few different things on test runs (never try something new on race day!!) to see how you get on.

Thanks.

Not great news on the gels then as I trail run in the middle of nowhere! Maybe take loo paper with me then

I think I'll start experimenting soon. I'd like to be able to get to 10 miles without a gel so maybe jelly babies are the way forward instead. How many do you have and how regularly?

Good news is I've got a while to experiment. I whole idea of this half is to get me used to following a plan, training, H&N as well as getting the distance under my belt

Kitty I would see how you go, similar to botters I have just a couple of jelly babies every 3 miles after around mile 7. Same with water, just a few sips every 3 miles after mile 7-8. I find the gels disgusting and nearly threw one back up after trying it for the first time during my last race. They are very sweet and gloopy.

Fantastic hm results bottersnikes and jointhejoyrun75 - I fantasise about running under 2 hours, don't think it'll happen though!

I don't like gels. I get on OK with jelly babies, but have found clif shot bloks best for me. I take one at 45 minutes, then every half an hour after that, with a sip of water each time. I usually just take water, I have found that sports drinks can make me feel sick when I'm running. Last year though I did take some lucozade as well as water when my hm was on an extra hot day, and I think it helped. I did only take little sips though.
stilllearnin you don't bring the thread down at all, the stuff with your kids is really tough and I am so impressed that you keep going and keep running, you are an inspiration!

Awesome, thanks. Jelly babies fed sound more portable that the gels too. I'm hoping they don't cause an explosion as I have 24 now (they were a free give away so nothing lost if they're grim)

Nah, gels are more portable than jelly babies, that's why they're more popular among marathoners. On lengthy trail runs I tend to wear a pack with water in and line the gels up inside the belt IYSWIM.
Generally I prefer jelly babies as they taste nicer (honestly, that claggy sweet gel stuff almost makes me vom) but on a really long run jelly babies tend to clump together into a solid mass, and then melt all over the inside of your pockets. Obviously the hotter it is and the further you go, the worse the problem!

On a cool day you'll be fine with jelly babies if you're only out for a couple of hours - on a hot marathon, not so much. You don't want to be getting a handful of dusty-pocket-jelly!

Bluegh that sounds grim. Luckily were into cooler ish weather now. Most of my training will be Jan-April so I'm hoping Spring stays cool next year! I'm not good in the heat at all

Well done botters and join on both of your halfs.
I find shot bloks a good alternative to gels or nakd nibbles which are found in the free from section in the supermarkets.
I use high 5 hydration tablets for long runs or some of the summer 10k's I have done.
For me I start to struggle at 8 miles if I haven't had something.
But will start to fuel from 3_4 miles on long runs.

That's really tough stilllearning, it great you're still getting out but I hope things settle for you so it's not adding that extra strain too . Not sure about a hill at nine miles though!!

Well done *botters great time with the dreaded undulating word!

Welcome Kitty!

I've usually gone the jelly babies route, have one every mile from that start if I'm doing over six. The last couple of long runs I've tried to cliff shot blocks because there are fans on here and found them really good. I think I felt a lot better after the run than I have done previously. Sometimes in the last I've felt quite faint.

I signed up to a local HM yesterday for December as it sells out in a day.not 100% sure I'll do it but figured I definitely couldn't if I didn't sign up and entry is transferable.

I'm still feeling very tired so have been resting. Think I'll do an easy run tomorrow and keep walking as much as possible.

Well done Sven, Botters and join on doing your HMs! Welcome Kitty!

I did my last long run last Monday and am tapering. Trying to eat, drink and sleep lots. Over the weekend, I went and walked a fair amount of the course so I could get a feel for it. It's hilly all the way through. I have got my jelly babies ready!

Chutney maybe the change of season is causing your tiredness?

I hope to report back with some good news next time.

Thanks for your lovely messages. Made me

Chutney might you be a bit anemic? Lady runners often are apparently (I am) as blood capillaries get damaged in order to build up muscle strength and we tend to use big muscles so more damage. Just wondered as heavy legs and tiredness seemed to add up a bit - perhaps try some Floradix or a similar iron boosting tonic?

How are you finding the tapering lonoxo? The eating and sleeping lots seems to be eluding me. Not unusual for the sleeping but it is for eating, I'll try better today!

Iron might be worth a look actually, I'd not thought of that. Or rather I did a few months back and I do take a supplement with the RDA of iron but with the increased mileage it might not be enough. Thanks!

Well done botters and join. Great running

for still. It mid be so tough for you.

Welcome Kitty

My RPHM top and number have arrived. The top is very orange .

I only managed 5.5 on Sunday. Short of time and energy. Speaking of which chutney I hope you are feeling better. Good tip on the Floradix london. It takes longer than iron tabs to take effect but is a lot gentler!

chutney tapering is going ok. Feels strange not running so much. I have been so hungry, maybe my body knows what's ahead this weekend. Last short run tonight. I just have to trust that all the training I put in will result in a good run.

59 exciting! RPHM seems like a good run, depending on how this one goes, I might enter the ballot next year.

Ooooh, good luck fiftynine. I think I'm going to put in for the park half next year. A few of my friends have done it and loved it!

Thanks for the floradix tip - I'll try that too - running has Ben awful this week. Nothing since Friday due to travelling commitments and just did a painful 3 miles this morning. I know that my eating/drinking/sleeping routine is all out of whack and I need to prioritise recovery but I'm starting to panic again. Lots of travelling/work stress over the next few weeks and also a couple of wedding weekends plus I have a really I'll family member who is taking up a lot of time. Only 3 weeks til my HM and the longest run I managed was 10 miles - I'm not sure whether to try and rest a bit (chronic shin splints!) or to keep running as per the plan and just taper?

Arghhh vet I feel for you but I am not sure I have any decent advice. 10 miles I think is fine - a lot of HM plans don't go up that far anyway. If it were me I might try to do short runs but maybe 3 or 4 times a week? That would keep my fitness up - even if my endurance isn't as good as it could be.

The thing is I do think that people hardly ever go into races feeling at their best with all the training runs neatly ticked off - there are injuries and work and basic life stuff.

Having said that pain is not good and if it is that bad I would think twice for now - it is only a postponement isn't it.

Helpful me eh?