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...

Hello everyone - I've been struggling a bit with the motivation so far this year. I'm meant to do a HM mid March and managed a 13 mile run 2 weeks ago. Since then I've struggled with 5ks - getting breathless. Am going to try and force myself to do a long run tomorrow but I am not finding this anything like as easy as I did last summer.

Back again... just joined my local running club to get midweek evening runs in. Did their 5 and 10k runs and really enjoyed it. Will be doing the 5ks regularly and the 10ks when DH's work allows.

Have found another Half I want to do. In aid of Bloodwise so a charity that matters to me. It's just over a month after the first. Is that realistic? Am assuming it should be and my main aim is finishing rather than a time...

Training wise looking at Parkrun on Saturdays (mostly hilly trail), club run 5k Monday and 2 other runs Sunday and Wednesday because that fits best around DH's work. Then 1 cross training day (rowing machine/weights) and 2 days resting legs although I will do upper body weights on one of them as I've madly entered an obstacle course race so need to find some ability to hang...

Hello london hope you find your motivation soon and that you have a good run today.

random that sounds like a good plan. A parkrun friend of mine ran a half or a full marathon every month last year. As you say she wasn't going for times but got them all done.

I have just done 7 miles in the rain with a friend. Would probably not have gone out if I didn't have company but am feeling great now!

Hello fifty
I did manage to drag myself out and run 8 miles with the biggest hill in south London in the middle - I exaggerate but not that much... Coming back and logging the run on mapmyrun I discovered that I'd done it in a better time than last year so am feeling slightly better about things. Will now go and pour myself a large glass of wine to congratulate myself on actually getting out there at all...

random I did Royal Parks and Great South Run last year two weeks apart (OK GSR is only 10 miles) - can't say that the last couple of miles of the GSR was fun but it was doable and judging by the number of Royal Parks finisher t shirts in Portsmouth I wasn't the only one.

I think that sounds reasonable random and you're definitely putting the time in. I'm with you on the obstacle run and needing upper body strength!! I'm doing a few weights every day at home in a bid to work on that in the background.

I feel exactly the same london except I'm not getting any faster. My parkruns are getting slower and slower. I'm having some blood tests to rule out any underlying cause. It feels like there's nothing in the tank at all. I'm glad to hear the times looked better for you, especially with that hill.

Sometimes it just needs that push Fifty doesn't it. I went out with the kids yesterday and don't think I'd have finished it alone. Glad you enjoyed it even if it was soggy!

I am now officially tapering (hmmm face on account of the fact that I've not got much to taper from!). Am I first with a HM in 2 weeks.

I find it hard to motivate myself for cross training. I joined a gym but hated it. I like work outs at home and I work from home so can literally sneak in 10 minute sets while mulling things over etc but still...

I think you are still - you're leading the way! I go through phases with the cross training, apart from Pilates, I'm pretty consistent with that. Tapering is so hard, keep going!

I got a GNR ballot place . I might have skipped around the house when I got the email.

That's fantastic chutney

I am practically religious with yoga...normally nearly every day but just can't get into the swing of anything else.

I will try not to set too punishing a time for you lot then

Great news chutney am currently sulking as I didn't get a Royal Parks place. It is the 8th time I've applied for one via ballot and still no joy. Having stung all my friends and relations last year I don't think I can do a charity one this time - funny how every single charity wants £350 to do it - isn't that price rigging?

stille I'm sure you'll be fine - I take it you are in it to finish not to win so a bit of running and a bit of walking will get you there....

Thanks london I am just hoping to enjoy it more than my first. And bad news on royal parks. Are you doing the original Hampton court? Anything else planned?

I have bought this from aldi in an attempt to get a strengthening habit. I can feel my foot rolling out taking at least my ankle and calf with it.

Hi stille yes in theory I'm gearing up to Hampton Court and I've pre-registered for the Oxford HM which is the same day as Royal Parks. With 2 teenage DDs they would probably prefer mooching round the shops and pretending to support me anyway...

Bad luck london. I have nothing booked but have a couple of possibilities in April and May. And my local running club is putting on a new HM in September but we may be moving before then so I am a bit reluctant to register in case we are no longer local.

I had the same for Royal Parks london only my first attempt though after it sounded so good last year when you and Fifty did it. Eight times must be really frustrating. Glad you've got a back up plan.

That book looks very technical still, hope it does the trick.

I've not actually booked yet for the half I'm planning in April, feel I'm getting a bit tight for time as my long runs don't meet the definition! I'm also a bit annoyed as a favourite 10k I'd booked have changed the date and route after releasing the details, so I feel it's all a bit off track for spring. I know there are options around, just need to have a mooch.

I'll console myself with the fact the RPHM wouldn't be the same without boozing with fifty afterwards.....and I'm sure Oxford will be fun - one of my friends met her husband doing it although the cobbled bits look tough on the old knees.
Struggling with motivation but I have a major piece of coursework on Wednesday so perhaps once that is in I can get a long run done on Thursday (packing the dds off on a half term course so no excuse).

Keep at it still I thought tapering was the fun bit - shorter runs and lots of pasta!

Am I allowed to sneak on here as I now seem to be running 2 halfs in 3 weeks in October! I signed up for my local one ages ago and have just got in to the Royal Parks via the ballot - sorry to rub it in to those who didn't.

Running seems to be going well at the moment so I'm thinking I should do a Spring one too. Silverstone is a distinct possibility as lots of running club friends will be doing it but it isn't the most exciting route!

Waves to chutney and 59 :)

Hello feet glad to see you here! Well done on Royal Parks, when is Silverstone? DH was just saying we should go there one day but I don't think he meant for a HM!

You'd definitely need bubbles after london, its tradition now. Oxford should be good. I had cobbles on my last half up a steep hill, that wasn't fun, they narrowed the route there so it was a bit treacherous.

I totally failed to get out today, so tired 😴 this will be the first week I'll not hit my km target for the 1000km this year.

Hi feet I am local to Silverstone - I think my friend did it and the route was uninspiring. So if you are local too...how about Market Harborough or St Albans (May and June I think).

I managed to get out on Friday but not since and have just learnt I have to drive for 6 hours on Thursday.

Looks like Silverstone is sold out so I'll have a look at some others. Not too sad as I have done it before and I would agree with your friend stillearin
St Albans would be a sensible option as it's close, I'll just have to deal with the fact that it's known as a tough one :)

Yes i go to st Albans a bit and thought it'd be a nice idea...wimped out when I saw the profile

The book is not at all technical. It just shows you the different muscles you use in stretches and strengthening exercises and then puts it into different routines.

I did an uncomfortable 2 miles today. My calf is so tight trying to correct whatever is going on with my foot. Think I need to make some changes.

The book sounds great still especially if you're trying to be specific in making changes. Is the half this weekend or next?

I'll have a look at the St Albans profile just for interest!

I spoke to my GP this week and nearly all my bloods were fine, apart from my Vitamin D which was very low. Hopefully supplements will do the trick and reverse the fatigue. I've not done any running since parkrun this week really felt drained but at least there's something to address now. I've been keeping up with my squats and arm weights so that's something. I was even rubbish at Pilates this week so I'm glad I made that appointment to see the GP.

Made the mistake of looking at the profile for St Albans! I usually approach these things in a state of blissful ignorance and should have heeded my own advice :)
Haven't signed up yet though.

Speedwork session on my own this morning as I am running one of the club speedwork sessions this evening. Lots of encouragement from dog walkers :o

Yep feet - loving the dog walker encouragement though!

chutney that sounds like good news really...you at least have something to work on and it cannot make you feel worse.

HM is this coming Sunday and I have all sorts of issues. Including a calf muscle that goes into spasm and then paid kind of creeps up my leg!! I got to 2 miles and then had a lovely walk

And now I have sliced my toe on the shower unit...something tells me I may have to rethink this weekend!

I'm wincing on you behalf still how deep is it? Not the best start coupled with your calf! Hope none of it's too bad.

At least St Albans is fairly consistent with the hills!

How'd the club session go feet?

Not deep but at the base of the toe nail so a bit...lifty!