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Original poster

Half Marathon thread

993 replies

Pikachuwithyourmouthclosed · 30/06/2017 08:26

Anyone up for a bit of half m support?

I'm registered to run my first half m in early September.

I'm struggling a bit with motivation tbh. I think I peaked too soon - could have done it 6 weeks ago. I've got time to get prepared though - it's 8 weeks away and I'm not starting from scratch. The most important thing for me is to keep up the strength work or my knees go kerboom.

Anyone else?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
28
mammymammyIRL · 05/08/2017 14:16

What time did you do it in so?

wineusuallyhelps · 05/08/2017 16:17

Well done pikachu! I did think you'd already done it!

I did the 9 miles and trialled a SIS gel. It was a bit thick for my liking 😷 even though the packaging said it was "clean in the mouth".

wineusuallyhelps · 05/08/2017 16:23

36plus I follow a BUPA half marathon training plan. It worked for me last time - I did couch to 5k and then that. Went from not even being able to run for one minute, to a half marathon, in 8 months.

HRHPrincessMegan · 05/08/2017 19:29

pik - well done on your epic 22km. Having covered the distance must give you a ton of confidence going into the race.

rank - I'm visiting family at the moment so won't see my boot camp chap for a couple of weeks. I'm fairly sure he'll tell me 1) warm up with lunges and squats before running 2) use a foam roller after. I'll probably ignore the first but I know from past experience having tight IT bands (I think I haven't made that up - exterior muscles that run along the thigh) pulls my knee caps out of alignment.

I'm only 2 weeks into my training which is supposed to entail 5 weekly runs. Last week I only managed 4 and this week will be the same. Equally disappointing is my diet this week which seems to exclusively consist of refined carbs and endless cups of tea! Need a kick up the arse!

Hoolit · 05/08/2017 20:20

Lol well done pik happy mistake Smile

Rankellior · 06/08/2017 07:39

Great effort pikachu. I'm training for a 2h22 finish on my plan and can run half the distance at that pace. Not gone further than that though so we'll see. I can see me needing a toilet stop along the way which will take time. Blush

Original poster
Pikachuwithyourmouthclosed · 06/08/2017 07:57

I haven't tried the gel yet, but I did shove some trail mix into my running belt and had some at about 18k on my last run. I think it helped. It gave me something to think about anyway - kept me occupied for a while.

2 hrs 22 seems a good pace Rankellior. I think I'll try for under 2 hrs 25 mins and if I manage it it will be a lovely surprise (and if I go way over I'll still be proud of myself for giving it my best).

Mammy I did the 22k in 2 hrs 25 mins, and it wasn't my best run (sore knees, hadn't eaten enough, ran out of water and had to run into a pitta cafe and ask them to fill my bottle Blush)

I'm starting to think about the realities and practicalities of race day. It's much earlier than I like to run. I will have to give a lot of thought to making sure I have had a poo before I set off!! Grin

OP posts:
shortaris1 · 06/08/2017 08:47

Pikachu that's the reality! I don't start til 11 I think but need a good break fast first, but not something too heavy. And I'm thinking about how I need to drink loads, but not pee loads! Its complicated!

Off to do 7 miles later. I've got an electrolyte tablet for my water bottle as I felt horrendous last week.

HRHPrincessMegan · 06/08/2017 10:14

Off for a 6 mile run now with zero enthusiasm. I hope this will improve over the next seven weeks.

FadingSomewhereInHollywood · 06/08/2017 10:42

Hello hope you don't mind me joining the chat :)

I'm doing my first half on 10/9 (shout out to any other GNRers!). I'm following an ASICS training plan though life seems to have got in the way the past week. Furthest I've run so far is 14km/just under 9 miles so hoping I can make it to the 13.1 by race day!! Grin

Hoolit · 06/08/2017 11:14

Hi there Fading I too am doing the GNR. 2nd time hated it the first no idea why I entered the ballot!!!!Confused

Just come back from 8 miles, New route and trying out my shorts. It was a lovely run very pleased think i learnt a lot from it, I need better sweets though the jelly beans just get stuck in my teeth!

5 weeks to the big day, hope my enthusiasm lasts.

mammymammyIRL · 06/08/2017 13:42

Wine did the gel help any bit despite its texture?
I'm going to try carb killa bars for my RH fitness diet so will see if they help or hinder my running.

Hrh 5 runs a week is a big commitment - I got out 4 times this week total 10.7 miles just back from 4.5 miles in the rain mostly & had red hair dye streaming down my face like someone made up for Halloween Smile

Welcome fading

shortaris1 · 06/08/2017 13:45

Hi there fading sure you'll get there.

Glad you had a good run Hoolit I've just done 7.2 and it felt great. My tablet worked a treat. I don't even have a headache.

Sirzy · 06/08/2017 14:27

10 miles done this morning. Was a group run and the first time I actually enjoyed a run over 10k!

DeepfriedPizza · 06/08/2017 15:26

I did 10 miles this morning. I didn't do it as quick as I'd like as I was on a pokemon go mission Grin

I'm always a but wary to give it a bit of welly on a training run because you still have to actually function for the whole day afterwards.

wineusuallyhelps · 06/08/2017 17:19

Mammy no I don't think the gel helped and I haven't felt great ever since. Don't think it agreed with me. I have now found the gel I used successfully for my last half marathon online 👍 so I'm going to order those. They were great last time.

Well done for the 4 times a week!

minesapintofwine · 06/08/2017 18:41

I've been realllyy baadd Blush

This thread is moving on. pikachu well done on your half marathon! I laughed at your needing to arrange a poo. I usually have a big bowl of muesli for breakfast and poo within the hour Grin

I too am thinking about race day plan (its no 10k is it?) Inc needing a wee.

Well done to all the runners some great distances.

Me? I've let it all go tits up! Since 14k on Wed I've not been at all. I'm definitely planning on 6 miles tomorrow, and maybe 10 on Tuesday as I'm away on Wednesday until Friday. Only thing is I rubbed some skin off my foot walking and have had to put a dressing on which is also rubbing. Plus because I've been walking a bit awkwardly because of it my ankle is sore. So I'm praying it'll be OK as I really need to get back into a routine. Also need to get back into my diet as was crap last week and gained on weigh day.

New day new dawn right? Now if only I could muster the enthusiasm to go with it....

Hoolit · 06/08/2017 19:32

Thanks Short, what tablet have you taken? Anything after 5 mile I seem to get a headache for the rest of the day, I tried various things food/drink wise. For today's run I drank more water prior to my run and had a bigger breakfast just porridge,the 4 weetabix with sugar Blush on my return and I'm headache free although it has felt threatening.
Definitely new day new dawn mine hope you get that foot sorted.

Original poster
Pikachuwithyourmouthclosed · 06/08/2017 21:40

YOU CAN DO IT MINE'SAPINT !!!

OP posts:
shortaris1 · 06/08/2017 22:20

hoolit I used the Karrimor Hydro Tabs. 1 in my water bottle worked great.

FadingSomewhereInHollywood · 06/08/2017 22:40

Thanks for the welcome!

Just re-read some earlier posts - well done pikachu on your HM!

mines a pint I've been bad this week too (both running & food-wise) so am really determined this week to stay on track.

Went out this afternoon. Managed a full 9 miles just under race pace so happy with that considering the week I've had. I did notice myself getting hungry though now I'm starting with the longer runs. I've seen people recommending jelly babies before - going to try that but does anyone else have any tips on the kinds of things you nibble on when out on a longer run? Smile

FadingSomewhereInHollywood · 06/08/2017 22:42

Oh and good to find another GNRer hoolit! How come you didn't enjoy it last time?

Hoolit · 06/08/2017 22:55

Thank you Short sorry forgot to say well done on your run!

Fade tbh I did enjoy most of it but I was really disappointed with the finish was expecting a bit more, not sure what think I just thought I'd be to see it sooner than what I'd did felt a bit like a damp squib.
Also it's so busy I thought it would thin out but it never did, like to think I am better prepared this year and the atmosphere is good the crowd are fab! So I was being a bit unfair really, not keen on the loos as the timing was bad iykwim so circumstances really. Have you done it before?

Standingonlego · 06/08/2017 23:52

Joining thread, I have my annual HM in early November but as I have lost my running mojo of late (parkrun being the only thing keeping me moving) I have some work to do. Hoping for some inspiration and accountability by linking in Grin

randomsabreuse · 07/08/2017 08:32

Jelly Babies worked nicely for me - easy to swallow. Kendal Mint Cake also seems to work for me...

Last week was mixed. Missed my mileage target (unless you count the 6 mile hike up a lakeland fell).

Main focus for the week was Total Warrior in the lakes. Very hard - 3hrs 24 for 10 miles - but interestingly didn't really feel any need for fuel. Going to be a struggle for this week's mileage - am feeling pretty tired today!