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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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madgingermunchkin · 29/09/2016 21:10

Yes, I am aware it's 15. My thinking is, if I can train to 10 miles then I will just fight through the last 5.
I know it's going to hurt, but I'm actually really excited. I'll hate myself while I'm doing it but we've got to do mad things every now and again.

Stopmithering · 29/09/2016 21:34

Just found this thread so very late to the mix!
I did the Robin Hood half last Sunday, wondering if a couple of other posters did too, judging by their reports?
Have had an Achilles problem for weeks, so was unsure if I'd make it, but shaved a couple of minutes off my pb, coming in at 2.20.
That's it for me now though til next year.
Good luck if you've a race coming up soon!

londonmummy1966 · 29/09/2016 21:46

Stop well done you - wish I thought I'd get anywhere near that...

madgingermunchkin · 29/09/2016 22:00

That's really good! Well done.

Wondering also if anyone has any suggestions as to what I need to take. I know a head torch, but what else? Also, is it worth me investing in a pair of trail runners? (They will get used again, it won't just be a one off).

Cheers for all the advice btw, it's much appreciated.

emummy · 29/09/2016 22:16

Would definitely get trail shoes, it's quite rough and after the last hill there is a section that was very very muddy last year and I think will be the same again! There was a list of compulsory equipment last year, not sure if there is this year or not. I got warm initially, then got cold when I got a stitch and had to slow down. I ended up wearing my gloves, so I think have layers you can take on and off, and obviously check the weather forecast so you've got whatever is appropriate. Spare batteries for the torch too! If it takes more then one battery, tape the spare ones together so you can just slot them in if you need them, easier when your fingers are cold.
There is food at the light station, but you might want to carry some water and maybe jelly babies if you find you need them on longer runs.
The only other thing is that last year lots of people wore extra things, like light sticks and fairy lights for decoration, which was fun!
And yes, it will hurt, but if you're with a friend, and you just embrace the whole adventure, you will have a great time! And you will be very impressed with yourself for doing it!

Stopmithering · 29/09/2016 23:19

If you complete a HM, that's a huge achievement, regardless of time.
I know a lot of people who ran the same HM as me, and I was by for the slowest!
Doesn't bother me, I am proper chuffed with the race I ran.

chutneypig · 30/09/2016 06:46

That illuminator sounds quite a race. I think it's worth a careful punt madginger

I did the Robin Hood Stopmithering did the lovely elevation profile give it away? Well done on that time with an Achilles problem. How are your legs feeling? My quads have settled down now, they were sore this time, not had that before but I'm thinking the downhills didn't help, nice though they were at the time.

Mud run with the kids for me this weekend, no chance for total humiliation there then Grin

Runningupthathill82 · 30/09/2016 07:10

I always thought the Robin Hood was a fast, flat course! It's certainly got a reputation as a PB course, and people say its even flatter than Worksop. Worksop Halloween half is a fab run if people are looking for something later this month.

emummy · 30/09/2016 10:12

Good luck to all runners & racers this weekend. Packing to head to Glen Coe this afternoon, hoping I can keep my cold at bay. Going to stay in a little cottage in the hills, really looking forward to it.

madgingermunchkin · 30/09/2016 18:16

Don't worry am under absolutely no illusions. It's going to be hell, and I just want to get round. Don't care how long it takes, what time I get, joe much walking I do. (Which will be a hell of a lot at this rate, I've had one day off work in the last month and am so tired I can't face running for the last week. Better get my arse in gear though!)

Stopmithering · 30/09/2016 19:33

Last year the Robin Hood was quite brilliant, felt pretty proud to live in the city with a really scenic and picturesque route.
This year subtle differences made it much less enjoyable - up and down too many hills in The Park, out and back stretches which were congested and tight.
I think the course has been flatter and faster in previous years, I know quite a few people, who were slower this year than usual.
But you get a great medal! And the atmosphere is superb. Really supportive the whole way round.

Stopmithering · 30/09/2016 19:45

Chutney yes that elevation grid looked very familiar!
Well done on your time, is it the Turkey Trot you've signed up for?
My legs are now mostly back to normal although my ankle is just not right. Need to seek advice really but don't want to be told to stop running and rest!

chutneypig · 30/09/2016 20:15

I didn't mind the Park too much in the end, I run there quite a lot but those out and backs were soul destroying. I heard the stretch by the castle got very heated with the faster runners, people were getting angry that it was so narrow there and people were walking. It wasn't too bad when I came through.

Yes it is the Turkey Trot, I'm not 100% convinced I'll do it yet but I knew it would sell out on the first day. I'm told it's hilly too. Have you ever done it?

Enjoy the trip emummy, I'm so jealous of the cottage and the run. It'll be great.

Stopmithering · 30/09/2016 21:02

No not done the Turkey Trot, it always sells out so quickly, i have never managed to get in.
I have friends who do it most years, I hear it is quite hilly!
Well done on getting in, good luck!

I think there were quite a few people who started high up the field, who walked most of the way round. They must have put down a fast completion time? I always put a realistic time so I'm not getting in the way of much faster runners. It's not fair to get in people's way.

stilllearnin · 01/10/2016 15:21

Hello - my last long run and at last it was OK. 13.5 miles in just over 2 hours 20 mins. Looped around to put in a few hills and surprised myself a bit at how good I felt.

chutneypig · 02/10/2016 06:43

I always err on the side of caution with times, I'd hate to get in people's way. That could well explain it. I was a little nervous that the trot has a sweeper at 2.30.

Well done stilllearning, especially on the feeling great part.

Good luck today emummy

Lonoxo · 02/10/2016 18:45

Thanks londonmummy, emummy, chutney and stilllearnin!

chutney, completely agree with you, there's something about race day and everything coming together. I'm going to take a month off and then try to run during the autumn, which I have never done in the past. Will try to do 1 short 5k run and 1 long 10k run a week. Hopefully keeping the running going over Autumn will help with my fitness.

emummy, I might book myself in for a nice massage later.

stilllearnin hurrah on completing your last long run. Enjoy tapering!

Good luck everyone on your runs, I will be thinking of you on RPHM day!

emummy · 02/10/2016 20:06

Done! Tough and absolutely beautiful route. The weather was gorgeous, so the route up through the mountains was stunning. Took longer than I hoped, partly the constant up and downs, partly the roughness of the track which was very stony with frequent streams across it, many of which we just had to run through! There was a very scary steep downhill in the woods with a set of steep slippery wooden steps thrown in for good measure! The last 2 miles were down hill, with fabulous views of Ben Nevis.
madgingermunchkin the elevation was the same as the illuminator but squeezed into 13 miles, so that's why I was slow!
Glad that long run went well still

madgingermunchkin · 02/10/2016 20:43

Well done you!

If I'm honest, I have no idea what a realistic time is for a half. It all sounds impressive to me!!

FiftyNineOhEight · 02/10/2016 20:48

Well done emummy that sounds very tough.

Welcome aboard madgingermunchkin and StopMithering

I have been on holiday all week. Lots of hilly walking and far too much food Smile. I did a slow 10K with some other MNers today. This time next week I will have finished the RPHM!

Runningupthathill82 · 03/10/2016 07:39

If I'm honest, I have no idea what a realistic time is for a half

You can use race time predictors online, which will calculate an allegedly realistic time for you based on previous runs over different distances, but tbh these are really only useful for more seasoned runners (ie, people who are going to keep a similar pace throughout and not crash halfway through).

As a very vague estimate to aim for, take your slow pace per mile and multiply by 13. Ie if you're running 10 minute miles in your long slow run, you should be aiming for 130mins (2h 10mins).

Most relatively new women runners IME have 2hours as a half marathon aim, but obviously trail runs where you have mud/stiles/hills/rocks will be slower, as will very hilly routes.

Your race sounds amazing, emummy. Well done!

londonmummy1966 · 03/10/2016 16:02

Well done emummy amazing you can run in that terrain...
Got a big PB at parkrun on Saturday (different - flat - course though) and did 7 miles this morning in an hour 10 but was raring to carry on at the end of it.

One 5k scheduled for Wednesday and then lots of pasta all the way to Sunday morning and the RPHM. Still nervous but starting to think I'll get round OK

I've said before but I'll say again that if anyone on here fancies some champagne afterwards you are welcome to pm me...

standingonlego · 03/10/2016 16:24

I wish I was running RPHM if just for the bubbles.londonmummy.😃 I am fed up with Dry October here already...!

emummy · 03/10/2016 16:31

Hm times are so variable; my race was one by a guy in 1:28, but the second place was over 20 minutes later! Only the top 17 did it in less than 2 hours, which makes me feel much better about my 2:38 - my road half PB is 2:18. I managed to come 14th in the female over 40 category which is my best result ever, so well chuffed!
But I think, especially for your first race at any distance, that doing the training and finishing the race is a great result, no matter the time, especially when running has to compete with so many other things for our time, and it takes great willpower to get out the door in the first place.
Running for champagne sounds like a great idea, there is actually s women's race series I saw that includes a glass of prosecco at the finish line, must look it up....

madgingermunchkin · 03/10/2016 18:01

Thanks for all the advice guys, it's very much being taken on board.

Right so my average for a steady run for 5 miles round holyrood park (very hilly) is 9.51. So times that by 15?

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