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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:
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BubbleAnimal · 21/08/2017 08:49

I can walk! I will read this thread properly, others posts, and stay for a while if that's ok?

Things I have learnt:
It's ok to walk it off it it gets a bit much
Water water water. And coke from mile 10.
Gels are rank!
Buy bigger trainers! I've run in mine for nearly 300 miles and they've been fab. But they're too short for long distance - my toes are bruised!
Think about your knickers! Only sore marks are where my knickers elastic rubbed underneath on the very inside top of my thighs
Everyone cheers you on, even if you're at the back
Any niggles strap with rock tape
Compression for recovery - either running in, or wearing after, or both. My thighs and calves have thanked me for it today.

I'm sure I will think of more!

RMC123 · 21/08/2017 09:15

Great advice Bubble.
Finally got out this morning. Only bugger was I hadn't put Strava on when I thought I had so no data on distance or time. However it a route I have done before with a bit extra so fairly confident it was about 7 miles. It felt comfortable and I could have done more so it was a confidence boost.
Has anyone done the GNR before? Starting to think about practicalities about the route now

minesapintofwine · 21/08/2017 11:00

bubbles thanks for the tips! Definitely going to take them on board.

Just heading out for a 7km trail run. Zero energy but hoping enthusiasm will be enough Grin

mogglemoo · 21/08/2017 15:03

RMC

My sister has run the GNR twice, but is not running this year. Apparently, the hills are quite a challenge. But looking at the profile, they don't look too bad (I've run steeper before). I don't know. I'm of the opinion that I can't plan for every eventuality, and am just going with the flow.

If I can run 20k next weekend, then taper, my husband tells me I'll be more than able to finish. I think I'm going to have to rely on the adrenaline surge that the enormity of the occasion carries... needs to be a huuugggeeee surge!

RMC123 · 21/08/2017 16:55

Moggle I am relying on the surge big time!!

BubbleAnimal · 21/08/2017 17:03

Moggie and RMC, you will get that surge. I broke it down to park runs, and once I knew I only had one park run left at ten miles my brain just relaxed.

You'll also get picked up by the crowd, I promise. I had a lovely runner help me when I started walking yesterday, and then I did it in turn for a guy from 10 miles onwards. As well as shouting encouragement to everyone we passed walking, who the tried to jog again. It was brilliant to see everyone picking each other up!

BubbleAnimal · 21/08/2017 17:03

And moggle, my furthest before yesterday was 10 miles, so you'll definitely do the half if you get to 20k before!

RMC123 · 21/08/2017 17:18

I did the Great East last year and the furthest we had run before that was 10 miles. We didn't walk at all but it is all flat. Trying not to over think the hills!

mogglemoo · 21/08/2017 17:34

Where I run, it's very quiet with no people about; I do sometimes like to shout at myself, screaming, "COME ON" at the top of my voice. 😳 I find that gives a bit of adrenaline surge. Tried that at my first Glasgow 10K (just going over the Kingston Bridge), and was surprised to find that other runners gave me a pretty wide body swerve.

Another trick is to sing along to your music. Can do a pretty good rendition of Frozen's 'Let it Go', although singing can make breathing more complicated!

One other trick is to count down the number of miles still to do. So, for example, you've run 15k and have 6k to run, you don't count up to 6 left; you tell yourself you have 6k, then 5k etc. Then calculate the % that you still have to run compared with the miles you've already run.

So, 3 suggestions- 1 good, 2 not so good. And now totally aware that I now appear really weird.

shortaris1 · 21/08/2017 20:33

Moggle I like to sing too. And if it helps, it helps!

Hoolit · 21/08/2017 20:58

I'm liking your style mogGrin

RMC I did the GNR last year, it's quite at hill at about 10mile and when your hit the sea front you still have about a mile to go.

The crowd are fantastic and really make the run.

RMC123 · 21/08/2017 21:55

Hoolit is 'quite a hill' a short steep one or a long slow incline? GrinConfused

Hoolit · 21/08/2017 22:30

Ha I was trying to be diplomatic. From what I can remember i may have erased this part from my memory it was a long slow incline I think followed by a dip then a small hill but I will check this and come back to you _ hope I'm not talking bollocks! It was described to me as hilly for the last part. I will know to have a jellybean at 9 miles Grin

The main thing for me was how busy it was and it never really thinned out, I had never thought about this before.

RMC123 · 21/08/2017 22:36

Thanks Hoolit. I ought just to look at the route map but other than opening the envelope to check my number was the same colour as my running buddy's I haven't got any further. Alternating between being super confident and scared witless!! We scoffed Haribos last year at the Great Eastern and that seemed to work. Did hit a wall around 11.5 miles but my running buddy just threatened to kill me if I didn't keep going. Grin

cherrymix · 21/08/2017 23:12

Checking in. Am on week 6 of C25K. I am incredibly shocked about how unfit I am and how hard it is. I only had to run two lots of 10 mins and found it really drudgy and tiring.

I'm beginning to think that running a HM is like childbirth - you do it, it's awful but after a few days all you can remember is how fab it was and how fast you went. Next time around - its scary and horrid ....

Promise to read all your lovely posts - at the moment I'm not even in the 2k zone, let alone the 13 mile zone.

cherrymix · 21/08/2017 23:13
shortaris1 · 22/08/2017 07:45

Cherry you've done it before, you can do it again!

My heel is so sore. Saw the osteo last night and he thinks its not torn, just inflamed which is good but I could do without this with 6 weeks to go!

BubbleAnimal · 22/08/2017 08:50

Cherry, you will do it! And I bet it comes back quicker than you think!

Shortaris, have you taped it with rock tape?

Is anyone else signed up for the Big London Half in March?

minesapintofwine · 22/08/2017 09:19

cherry you are a half marathon graduate,unlike me,so stop putting yourself downow missus! You can definitely do this, yes fitness may have decreased but you'll get it back it sounds like a psychological battle you're fighting.

To those of you looking at hills my first 10k race is known for being horribly hilly but as I went up the first hill another runner said 'it's mind over matter' and also showed me the best way to head up them (smaller running steps,pumping the arms so they do the work). Yes I do struggle with hills sometimes but this advice has definitely helped.

bubble it couldn't have been bad if you're looking at doing another!

shortaris sorry to hear about your foot. Seems a few of us are suffering niggles at the moment. My quads are a bit sore so I've started to do a little walking on steep declines etc to preserve them!
I've burst a blister though 😨. I hate my 'runners feet'. Calluses, blisters and the occasional black/lost toenail. After the half I'm going to treat them nicer...

Lol at moogle singing carry on if it works for you crazy lady lol

Sirzy · 22/08/2017 09:23

Good thing with hilly races is there is no pressure for times!

I did a local 10k on Sunday, didn't get a PB was about 5 minutes off but as my pace has been way off recently I was happy with how it went.

Joined a new running club last night too which is much more suited to my slower pace so feeling a bit more confident now.

BubbleAnimal · 22/08/2017 09:31

Mines, I signed up for the Big Half in the spring, just brought it forward. And yes, it was definitely ok enough to do another!

Are you sure your trainers are right? I have never had a blister whilst running. I wear karrimor socks, or run mummy run ones. I have slightly bruised toes today, but I know that's because my trainers aren't long enough - I need to go up half a size or so now I'm doing more than 5-6 miles. But I don't have any real difference in my feet (wearing flip flops today) and I'm sure it's down to the trainers.

BubbleAnimal · 22/08/2017 09:32

Sirzy, the right running club is amazing. mine is so laid back and supportive. I love it.

minesapintofwine · 22/08/2017 09:46

bubble my trainers are worn which definitely doesn't help! I've been running for 4 years and have had every injury and foot problem possible. HmmIt's all led to experience on dealing with these things though!

sirzy well done on the 10k

BubbleAnimal · 22/08/2017 09:49

mines definitely get them replaced! I've been running since Feb 2015 and always know when I start getting a niggle my trainers are in the way out. My current pair are from March, and I've done just under 300 miles in them, so I'm think that's the cause of my shin niggle and am off this weekend for new ones! Go get yourself sorted!

minesapintofwine · 22/08/2017 10:05

I know but I'm skint Sad. That sad I should be able to replace them this weekend Smile

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