Half marathon new thread

[londonmummy1966]

Starting a new half thread - as we are running out of space - no I'm ot envious of the lucky guys with London places - no not at all...

still learning it was great ! I am normally a lone runner and don't like group things but this was really friendly and good fun. Ds1 lived it and managed 25 mins so I won't be worrying about him next week. Think this is a weekly event for us now.
Poor you and hail, that is horrible to run in. It was frosty with us but sunny so pretty good conditions.
Trying to hear myself up for a long run tomorrow morning. Meant to be wet but will try and get out there.
random sounds like a good run in the snow. I need to try and speed up as well but I'm no good at hill repeats ...Will keep trying

I have a rain cap for running and it I brilliant missmapp when i have it on you barely notice roper downpours. Unfortunately it was dry when I set off and yep, it has been the only bad weather we've had all day!!

random how often do you run. I think frequency helps not quite but also as much as technical stuff. 3 times a week and I really feel the benefit.

still learning will look at rain caps ! I have a good thermal top with a hood which is usually okay . Don't normally mind the rain but know it will be cold as well. Will make sure the thought of a warm shower when I finish with that satisfaction only a good run can give you keeps me going !

Still learning - usually 3 times a week including park run. Will try to step it up to 4 plus cross training when the mornings get lighter as DH can go out and walk dog plus DD while I do a quick hill session - then we're both getting up at the same time which is more likely to happen than just me!

Hail is horrible - don't mind warm rain as it's not much worse than sweat but freezing rain and hail are vile!

Am glad we didn't get much snow here, it would have really put me off going out, so well done to all of you that did regardless!

I did 6.5 miles today and managed to improve my pace from 15min/mi avg to 13min50/mi avg - not breaking any speed records, but I was still quite pleased. I did earn myself a nice fat double blister though, so hoping that doesn't take too long to heal. Any tips for running on blisters/how to prevent them?

I'd heard haribo were good for keeping energy levels up during a half marathon - is this true, or just wishful thinking on my part?

I've used haribo on long runs too winefortea, I have a very inclusive view of sweet types

I'm trying to push through the base phase of the training plan now, last week before it starts proper if that makes sense. The one change I'm making is starting the long runs shorter, I've not got the reserves to start off at six miles at the moment. That's been a bit hard to get my head round as it wasn't an issue last year, that was a given that I could manage that at a steady pace. But I don't want to overdo it now so it seems sensible to take it back and I did four miles Monday. It seems very slow what with keeping the heart rate down but hopefully is doing as promised and building a good aerobic base.

I woke up early so I'm going to put that to good use and head out for a run, it will be round and round the village because it's dark but hopefully will keep the momentum going.

Good to hear your base building is going well Chutney I'm still in pre-training too and haven't been out since a short tempo on Sunday. Just did 4.5 miles tonight but above aerobic threshold - I'm finding the slow runs very frustrating Will hopefully get out at the weekend when I have more time!

Hello, you lot! I've been on holiday (to Hastings where park run goes up and down the sea front!). Had a fantastic flat and it was warm enough for yoga every day with the balcony doors open, facing the sea and the low winter sun on me - you can tell I haven't properly landed can't you!!!

Anyway, I have been running but really don't feel fit enough for the hm in less than 4 weeks! You are doing well with your slow runs...I've run out of time for that I fear.

winefortea that's a great improvement in pace. I seem to be going the other way! Still, I am off alcohol post holiday and have 4 weeks to get one more long run in and some speed work.

Hello all. Have been useless so far this year and now have finally worked out which HM to do and written all the runs in my training plan into my diary. I am so unfit compared to last year - have my runs stored on an ipod and looked at last year's thread and I was saying things like - easy 3 miler. Now I can hardly manage 2 miles at v slow pace.

I've been doing Dry January in the hope of improving my running performance but so far its not showing.

I really want to beat my time from last year but not sure if I can from such a bad starting point. The HM I'm doing is in May and is fairly flat so should be comparable to the last one but I'm going to have to get doing some serious work.

Haven't caught up with everyone else but will do now.

You're not alone Cherry, I've been looking back at last year and thinking I don't feel fitter. I know the slow runs will feel slow but I don't feel like they're particularly comfortable. I'm pushing on and seeing how it goes, the 1000km 2017 is encouraging me out of the door at least.

Yoga sounds lovely still very relaxing. Where are you up to with your long runs?

DId you get out Vet? I'm finding timings a struggle even at weekends to fit in everything that needs doing, I took DS for my long run, five miles at this stage, and he was good company but clearly found the pace very easy!

Well I am up to 10 miles and going to do about 11 this weekend, but that is it until after the HM on 19 Feb. I have decided not to worry about my time as i am slower than before, and to concentrate on enjoying it. Mentally I am actually treating this HM as a warm up for the next one. (when I will definitely work on the capacity building! Promise!)

I am off alcohol til after the 19th. I had been drinking a lot though so I think it will help.

cherry you need to remember that those shorter distances are really hard (2 or 3 miles I mean). Don't you think? Once you get those under your belt and increase your distance, it gets a lot easier. I find 7 miles much more comfy than 3 (and I never thought I would say that!!!)

When I said this weekend is it, I meant for long slow runs! I will probably do 8 or so miles next weekend and all much shorter ones in between. I didn't mean I am putting my feet up for 3 weeks

Sounds good to me still. Especially the enjoying it part.

Not going well for me - haven't been out for a week now Did a circuits class on Saturday and it was brutal on my thighs and could barely walk sun or mon. Did a bit of rock climbing Tues which loosened me up an was hoping to run home from work yesterday but massively busy and finished late so just drove back as hungry and tired.

Going to aim for running home again today - need to take more snacks to work! I just find that I'm so mentally exhausted I just want to get home and am in bed by 9

Hi vet what is your commute? could you just go out with the intention of doing a mile or so with no expectations. Could you find a new route? I find those things sometimes work for me on the psychological side.

I am gearing up for a very chilly 4 miles while ds is in a maths group (He is nearly 16 and home ed...I am not taking my pre-schooler to maths in case anyone was wondering why I have to take him to a morning maths group...in fact I do not have a preschooler!)

Hi, I've signed up for a half marathon at the end of May. Used to run lots but had to stop while pregnant. DS is 5months now, and I've been regularly doing 5ks and park runs, but need to put some proper effort in to get myself half marathon ready (and loose the last bit of baby weight). It was lovely frosty weather for a 6k run this morning. My favourite running conditions are cold and sunny!

Well you have the cold part post truth I think the proper effort will come ok. Get yourself a plan maybe?

I managed negative splits today over only 3.6 miles. But still, it felt better by far than recent plodding

I think it doesn't take much to throw off a plan this time of year Vet. The mental exhaustion side is hard to deal with, you know you'll feel better getting out, but getting over that hurdle is hard.

You've got to take advantage of every opponent still. I went out for some hill reps while the kids were at their athletics club last night. There's a very handy hill nearby, so handy you could hardly move for people doing hill work. It felt good but I thought my legs actually had frost on while I waited for them to finish. Negative splits are always good!

Sounds like a great base to work up from Post and plenty of time to do it. Wouldn't mind seeing some sun too, my lunchtime run this week was lovely on that front but it's all too rare at the moment. Have you done a half in the past?

Chutney I've previously done 2 half marathons, but my favourite distance to run is 10k. I'm doing this half with two friends who have babies the same age as they suggested it. Well done on your hill training. I'm very lazy at the moment and pick flat runs, but my local park run is very hilly and muddy. Got myself a new pair of trail shoes to run it in this week, hoping they make me run faster!
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Still* Good work with the negative splits. I have got myself a training plan, but can't do anything more than a long walk on mon - wed as dh works long days. So going to have to train four consecutive days then have three off, which is not ideal but it's all I can do.

I've just invested in new trail shoes Post and love them. We're very lucky to have four parkrun's within 25 minutes and loads more a little further, so there's always a choice. One is very hilly but it made a huge difference to my fitness last year - it's a bit brisk this time of the year as it's very exposed.

I think you have to work with what you have time wise. I always did parkrun and my long run on Sunday last year and it did the job, with usually one or two runs in the week, usually one, can you do any cross training at home when DH is on long days? I found core work really helped.

Hello runners!

I have been away a bit from the thread, as I have been moving/starting a new job/up to my eyes in life in general. But I am starting to settle in to my new home and went out for a slow and steady 10K with a friend of a friend this morning. She is training for a local HM in May so I am going to see if I can get a place in it too.

Hello HMers! I'm tempted to do the same HM as last year but it comes up a month before a triathlon I've already signed up to. Can I (and do any of you) use swimming as part of running training? As I write that it sounds ridiculous but I'm asking anyway!! I'm also a little concerned about being recovered/motivated enough to do both! The triathlon is only a mini one (first time doing a lake swim) so I won't need to be super fit but I do really need to work on my swimming.

bee I would have thought swimming was a really good way of cross training. And it's great for fitness and strength so I'd have thought it would be a good thing to do.

Very envious of your triathlon, I have always fancied doing one but never got round to sorting myself out and booking one.

Do one fifty! I'm doing a GoTri one in the summer, the distances are pretty tame so it feels manageable. I just need to sort my swimming out for being in a big group and in a lake (pool swims ones are fine to just do breaststroke as they stagger the start so the pool isn't too busy).

I'm still in two minds about doing the HM as well! But I'd love to improve my time on last years.