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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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5
emummy · 03/10/2016 18:11

And add a bit I think! To account for the dark, the size of the hills and the cold. If you can get the time, practice off road with the head torch, it can be a bit weird!

madgingermunchkin · 03/10/2016 19:20

Ok so if my maths is right (not likely) that gives me a time of 2hrs 20mins. Quite frankly, if I'm under 3 I'll be over the moon!

I have done some cross country running before, but with a head torch will be new.

Runningupthathill82 · 03/10/2016 20:17

Definitely add a bit, to take into account the distance and the fact you've never run so far before - as well as the dark/trail/hills issue!

2h 45mins might be a realistic target? But just getting round is very commendable!

FiftyNineOhEight · 03/10/2016 22:23

londonmummy I am up for bubbles at the end Smile. I will PM you.

FiftyNineOhEight · 03/10/2016 22:24

And yay to the practising off road with head torch. Mine always feels like it is riding up and off my head even though it is tightly attached Grin

FiftyNineOhEight · 03/10/2016 22:27

Yay should be yy Smile.

And emummy is right that the training and just getting out of the door when there is so much else going on is an achievement in itself. And on that note I will stop for the night, as I have a 6:00 boot camp tomorrow!

londonmummy1966 · 03/10/2016 22:44

Fifty excellent

I am planning to walk the Hyde Park bit of the route later this week as I have decided it is always easier to run a route you already know - the bits in Green Park and St James's I know reasonably well but I can't normally be fagged to wait half an hour to negotiate the pedestrian crossings at Hyde Park corner (maybe a teeny bit of exaggeration there)

FiftyNineOhEight · 04/10/2016 07:08

Same here london. I could probably get out for an hour on Thursday lunchtime - when are you thinking of going?

londonmummy1966 · 04/10/2016 08:48

Fifty I've PMed you as I was also thinking of Thursday - don't want those legs to be tired Wink

chutneypig · 05/10/2016 06:28

How's the boot camp going Fifty?

I think it's a great idea to walk bits of the course, I'm sure it helped me even in areas I knew quite well. Be a good stretch of the legs too. Exciting!

Wonderful emummy that's glorious but sounds very hard. A great challenge. Especially the downhill bits, guess that's where all the training pays off.

After mostly resting last week I've got back into doing some intervals this week. I've also started a yoga gym workout book at home, mic of yoga and body weight strength stuff. I've got a couple of 10ks coming up and I think I'll just throw in a few long runs ahead of the December half, rather than a specific training plan.

Igottastartthinkingbee · 05/10/2016 18:31

Hello HMers! I'm back just before this thread runs out of space!

I did the triathlon, which was great, a few weeks ago and I'm now back into running. Doing a 10 mile race this weekend which I haven't really trained much for. The run section of the triathlon was only 5k but the whole race took about 1hr 30. So I guess my CV system is fit enough to keep going for that long, just not sure about my running muscles! Also, since the tri our house has been a hotbed for germs and the associated sleep loss DD I'm looking at you!! so I haven't been up for much running anyway. Oh well, I can't do the race any worse than I did last year I hope, I got inexplicable, debilitating stitch for the first 5 miles, so we'll see what happens!

Looking at an off road HM in Feb. Just not sure I'll fit all the training in with the dark evenings. It's nice to be back, looking forward to seeing what everyone is up to for the autumn/winter!

Original poster
Cherryminx · 05/10/2016 22:41

Greetings runners. chutney - well done. I know some of that route and its lovely and the hills are well hilly.

Have finally got going again after butt ache has subsided and a cold and have gone back to the really easy programme that I started when I started this thread back in Jan. Week 1 involves 3 * 2 mile runs - very easy even for me in my current state of unfitness. Have just over 3 weeks to go to the first 10k at our local NT place.

Have reverted to my old late night after dark running practice - i forgot quite how dark it is and think I'd better take a torch next time. Still nice not to have to wear a gazillion layers. And I've stopped wearing a running watch because I realised I was getting depressed about how slow I was going.

OP posts:
FiftyNineOhEight · 05/10/2016 22:42

Hello bee lovely to see you! Well done on you tri and good luck for the weekend!

chutney I am really enjoying the bootcamp, thank you for asking Smile It is making me use muscles I didn't know I had. Your plan for December sounds good, just keep it all ticking over.

Slow and steady 3 and a bit miles with a friend who is coming back from injury this evening. A walk in the park tomorrow and volunteering duties at parkrun on Saturday before the RPHM.

SvenandSven · 06/10/2016 22:51

I done Bournemouth half on SundaySmile
And got a new pb 2.37 I really need to work on not starting off too quick although I did hit my targets for mile 5 and 10 before I started to slow.
It was an early start so was a bit cold but soon warmed up when the sun came out.
Evil hill at mile 8. But all in all a good run. The crowd atmosphere was great. And I got to see Ben Smith as in 401 marathon man, finish the marathonSmile

chutneypig · 08/10/2016 06:31

I heard it was a great day in Bournemouth Sven, how did they sneak a hill in, did they send you up the cliffs? Well done!

Glad you're enjoying it Fifty especially as it's an early start. I need to find something as well as Pilates. It's not the same doing it at home.

Fantastic on the tri Igotta. I know what you mean about the nights closing in for fitting runs in. I'm starting doing more in the gym for intervals but it doesn't help with the long run. No way could I do that on a treadmill.

That sounds very sensible Cherry and good to have the 10k as a target coming up.

How are you Royal Parkers doing? Did you have a look at Hyde Park in the end? I'm jealous, I'm missing the sense of anticipation I had last month before mine.

FiftyNineOhEight · 08/10/2016 11:46

Well done Sven, brilliant news on your PB Star.

Morning chutney Smile londonmummy and I had a lovely walk around Hyde Park. I had to go back to work but she carried on a bit further. Very excited about tomorrow, RPHM has been on my bucket list for ages Smile

I volunteered at parkrun this morning, ended up running more than I expected as the walkers I was following kept dropping out Grin

londonmummy1966 · 08/10/2016 12:07

Brilliant Sven well done - a friend of mine did Bournemouth and said it was a lovely atmosphere.

Walked all of the RPHM route in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens - first stretch with fifty - managed to pick up a blister Blush but it was really exciting seeing the pavillions etc being put up outside the barracks.

A warning to my fellow RPHM'ers - the last 1.5km are mainly uphill.....

On the odd occasion that I've had to do a long run on a treadmill I've found an audio book helps.....

chutneypig · 09/10/2016 07:04

Good luck today and enjoy your bubbles at the end!

londonmummy1966 · 09/10/2016 07:31

Thanks chutney just wondering what on earth I was thinking of when I decided to do this....

Runningupthathill82 · 09/10/2016 07:52

GO GO GO GUYS! Good luck to everyone.

I was meant to be racing a full 26.2 today but have had to pull out through injury, so will be mentally cheering you all on instead.

londonmummy1966 · 09/10/2016 16:34

Thanks everyone - your support has been brilliant. RPHM was a brilliant day out much improved by being able to meet fifty at the end for bubbles...

FiftyNineOhEight · 09/10/2016 16:52

Oh Running how gutting. Thank you for he virtual cheering, it really helped Smile

As londonmummy says RPHM was wonderful - thank you london and Mrlondon for the bubbles - next time they are on me!

So, who is up next and when?

madgingermunchkin · 09/10/2016 17:44

I'm planning a night run round holyrood park this with my my running buddy in prep for our half marathon at the end of the month. I'm getting rather excited about it now, but I'll be a bundle of nervous at the start line!

emummy · 09/10/2016 21:49

Well done london & Fifty. Glad you both enjoyed the day, and the well-deserved champagne!
Good luck with the night run madgingermunchkin, hope you enjoy it. Make sure you get practice running downhill off road, I find that the trickiest thing with a head torch.

chutneypig · 10/10/2016 06:29

Well done london and Fifty!! Glad you had a good time and managed to meet for bubbles.

Oh no Running how very frustrating, hope it's nothing too long term.

Practise sounds a very good plan madginger. I think everyone gets to be a bundle of nerves on the day, I certainly do!