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 half marathoners. Great to see some old names and new ones on the thread. It is aaaaaages since I last posted. Congratulations london and Sirzy and chutney. I am sorry if I have missed people but I only read the last few posts in my enthusiasm to get back on the thread

I have been talked into a HM at the end of April by my running buddy. We went out this morning and did 9 miles in 1:34, so if we can manage that kind of pace on the day I will be happy. It was flat and I suspect we had the wind at our backs all the way . The HM is an out and back course so we won't be as lucky on the day!

Life has been a bit all over the place since the turn of the year and I have not run as regularly as I would have liked, but is starting to settle down so I am going to start getting some miles under my belt again.

Hello fifty where is the half in April? Hope it is nice course.

I managed to get out today for a 12k run along the embankment - a bit slow as I got tangled up in groups of people doing a charity walk but it was good to know the legs have recovered after last week.

Hello Fifty That nine miles sounds very good. Let's hope for a nice still day with an out and back!

Great stuff london.

I haven't run for a week what with being away and having a cold. I think it was the right thing not to run at the weekend, aiming for a couple of 5-6 k runs this week at HM pace. I've been run/walking my recent long runs so need to get a feel for that. I was thinking parkrun and 10k Sunday. Not feeling quite as prepared as I'd like for the 9th but better than it was looking at some points.

Hi all - I haven't checked in for ages but the fear is kicking in now! Tiree HM at the end of April and done pretty much nothing for the last month due to crazy work commitments and a sprained ankle

Aiming for 7/8 miles today and keeping my fingers crossed. I managed a VERY tough and hilly first HM in oct last year in 2hr 40 so was hoping for sub 2.20 for this one as much flatter, but think I may just have to be happy to complete at this rate!

Walk run is quite hard to get your head around chutney but I don't think I'd go back now as my legs definitely thank me for it the next day...

Vet 13 miles is 13 miles regardless of speed - I think I'm just going to go into my HMs hoping to finish in future.....

Yup you're right london I guess I'm just very target oriented by nature and like to feel as if I'm progressing. Not sure I'll ever increase my distance beyond HM so I feel as if I should be 'improving' speed wise if that makes sense?

Realistically though just finishing is probably achievable goal - I did 8 miles in 1 hour 40 today (didn't make it out yesterday) so definitely not breaking any speed records! And I'll be doing well to get to 13 miles - the idea of doing another 5 on top of what I covered today is pretty daunting!

Chutney I'm sure that resting is the right thing to do, take care

My head is saying just get round but I know if I don't improve on last year I will be niggled. I don't mind so much for shorter distances but the training is so much for a half. But I will keep telling myself to enjoy. It's a lovely course.

My overall pace is pretty similar if I run/walk versus run and I enjoy the run more and absolutrly recover better I agree.

I've been thinking about after the half, I drifted a lot last year. I'm thinking at the moment I might find an improvers 10k plan to fill the gap before the GNR training.

I know how you feel Chutney

The 10km improved plan sounds like s good idea

I know how you feel but I used to be a sprinter so have had to reconcile myself to seeing my best times disappear into the mists of my youth..... there again I couldn't have run 13 miles in my twenties!

Walk run is surprising isn't it chutney as I did my best speed on the GSR with it despite less training than the first couple of times when I ran most of the way.

I have just bailed from my first planned half. Achilles tendinitis meant a month without training (too busy sulking to cross train ) and I decided it would be stupid to do my first half off sub-optimal preparation given an obvious tendency towards calf tightness anyway. I also found an interesting looking off road 10k the same day as the half and decided it would be better to enter that instead - especially as my main (booked) aim for the year is a 10 mile obstacle race...

Still hoping to do the June half - it's a quiet one so don't need to enter too far in advance which is helpful but has the slight risk that I will need to motivate myself without a fixed deadline. Going well so far at least - really enjoying the running club and using my new gps watch to realise that I was running way too fast before!

random Have you seen I physio?
I had terrible tendonitis, shin splints and ITB issues when I started running (consecutively not all at once!) It was VERY frustrating, but I realised it was because I was a) trying to do too much too soon - even though I was slow and unfit and hated running at first I tried to push too hard. And b) wasn't doing any strength cross training so my poor underused 30-something year old muscles and tendons were pretty much in shock.

I HAVE to cross train in order to run - it's tough sometimes to fit it all in but circuits/Jillian Michaels type stuff is good.

Also stretch and foam roller after

Yep. Physio is happy for me to restart running. I used to fence seriously so am well aware of ITB rolling (torture). DH and I just go straight to physio for any aches and pains. Also do yoga plus some weights couple of times a week. Suspect my shoes were slightly too small which might have made me tense. Have acquired a new pair which seem much better!

Started running just over a year ago and did 5/10k mud runs before joining my local running club this January

I also seem to have failed to post on here for ages but I was running in your old stomping ground yesterday 59, on part of the new late summer half marathon route and thought I'd come on and tell you. 8.5 miles, done in two halves as it was out and back, and it was HARD. It was hot, my feet really hurt which hasn't happened like that before and I didn't enjoy it much. However the ice cream on the Embankment at the end was bliss :)
I need another gait analysis/shoe session at a different shop as I'm not convinced by these shoes.
Racing starts in earnest next weekend with a 10k, then a whole variety of 5 and 10k relays, trail races and the amazing Runway Run (around the Luton Airport runway whilst it is in full operation ) before St Albans half in June.
All my current PBs were set in 2015 and I'd like a few new ones this year!

That all sounds very sensible random - especially if you've got other runs in mind. I've got a mud run signed up for next month, nervous about that as my upper body strength is rubbish

I ought to start up with some Jillian Vet I go through phases when I do a fair amount of her dvds. Slacked off a bit this year and I can feel it!

That's quite a set of races coming up feet. How on earth does the the runway one work??

I did 10k yesterday which wasn't great but better than nothing. I'm planning a couple of gentle 5ks this week along with eating well in preparation for the half on Sunday, I've also done the all important signing up to volunteer at parkrun on Saturday!

Well it's now 4 weeks to my half and the furthest I've managed is 8 miles and averaging about 1 run per week

I'm going to try and do 8 miles today or tomorrow but then am away for the rest of the week, so maybe just one or two more short runs after that, a couple more decent long runs with some short ones too over the next two weeks, then rest week with a couple of shorts and then race. It's not exactly a 'perfect training plan' but I'm just hoping to finish.

Really need to get my mileage up - my last HM I found that everything after mile 9 was a struggle and it's the same with my training at the moment - 8-9 miles and I'm struggling - any tips?

Chutney - upper body stuff depends on the run. Pretty Muddy is tame but has manmade obstacles - but the only upper body relevant things were A frames and crawling. I've done some local runs with mostly natural obstacles (haybales/rope to help you climb) so again no issue, things like tough mudder, spartan and total warrior have silly things like monkey bars (which none of the local parks have) and high walls which would be more of an issue.

If I can lose weight and increase upper body strength Total Warrior will be so much easier - being overweight and weak is not a good plan for these crazy things!

Having major issues with going off too fast. Last 2 parkruns have had 1st kms mostly downhill and I seem to get my heart rate way too high then struggle. Uphill and flat I am better at setting a sustainable rhythm but still not great. Need a combination of feel and discipline...

I found it was the time for the longer runs that I found difficult Vet. I'd get stressed fitting them in. The best thing I've found is to promise myself a treat after and a nap!

It's the monkey bars that give me fear random! I did a Pretty Muddy and an inflatable obstacle course last year and didn't have too much trouble (I'm ignoring the one obstacle DH had to haul me over . It's a Tough Mudder Half - what can go wrong!!

I've found starting off to fast at parkrun has been a much bigger issue than it has been this year and even meant I didn't finish once. it's hard with everyone sweeping you on. My pace has been slower with not being well but in the moment I seem to think I can manage it.

Well I did 7 miles today and felt comfortable - even though mostly uphill!

I'm intermittently running to or from work which helps time-wise but does limit me to 7-8 miles depending on the route

I do need to make time for something longer

Hello everyone - vet you'll be fine on the day - even if you need to drop down to some longish walks.

Take this week to enjoy lots of guilt free pasta chutney - good luck and let us know how it goes.

Random - try starting parkrun at the back? I usually do this as then I can enjoy all the over taking.....

I managed 13k yesterday so feeling fairly pleased. I'm still a bit behind on my targets for the year (1017km) so need to get a better month in. AM hoping that with no tapering or recovery that will be possible!

I usually start in the middle because all the local courses are tight at the start - so I'd be walking until people spread out - and if I run too slowly I lose my spring and stride - have been experimenting with running slower generally and I have to keep my cadence up or I get really jarred up and it feels like I land all wrong. It's just so tempting to freewheel downhill and then not find the rhythm that works for me for the inevitable up bits...

Planning to start very near the back of my 10k and do a sensible warm up - had to tun fast to get to the club run on Monday which wasn't ideal.

I've been asked by a friend to do a half marathon in October. I started C2K in Feb and am on Week 8, doing fine and have already downloaded the next apps for 5k onwards. I did a 5k a few weeks ago and my time was perfectly respectable (just over 40 mins) and have another in a couple of weeks which is flat so am sure I can improve my time.

13 miles seems like SUCH a big step up from what I am doing and am likely to do in the next few months. Even if I remain motivated (I'm intending to!), is it doable? I'm a 'veteran' and have never been sporty.

I have no idea how long it takes to train for these things. That said, two months ago I had no idea that I would be able to run for more than a couple of minutes in one go.

Am I bonkers for thinking I might be able to do it, or bonkers for thinking it's beyond me when I've obviously made so much progress?

Hi everyone, how are we all getting on? My race is on Sunday and, despite having covered the 13.1 miles 4 times in training, I'm really nervous because the forecast says 22 degrees and bright sunshine! Urgh! I'm beyond rubbish at running in heat so it's not ideal but I'll just have to give it my best shot.

Hello Maggot. I'd say it's very doable - you're already running three times a week just a question of finding a training plan that works for you, there's lots out there for 12-16 week type period. You've got plenty of time to ramp up the miles slowly. I very often run/walk my long runs which is a gentle way of increasing distance.

I hear you nat. Everyone one at work has been happy about the weather this weekend and I'm starting to panic! I've only done 15k in training too so will take it steady, we've got lots of water stations at least, so that's a plus. It's pretty exposed in places. Take it steady, that's our mantra I think for tomorrow! Good luck!

Well that was hot! Slower than last year but under the 2.30 I'd hoped for. The last three miles were so hard in the heat but everyone round me was being very sensible and walking where needed. It was gorgeous but I'm not great in the heat! A few wonderful chats with people too.

I wasn't tempted to push it at all, we had someone carried over the line at parkrun yesterday and an ambulance went past me today just as I was finishing. Luckily both seemed ok, thankfully.

How'd you get on nat?

Hi chutney, well done you! It was a scorcher wasn't it? Same here, struggled with the heat and my dodgy knee started causing trouble at mile 7 so I hobbled some of it. Came in 15 minutes slower than PB but I'm happy with 2.15.