Half Marathon thread

[Pikachuwithyourmouthclosed]

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?

You and me both mine's

These silly injuries drive me crazy. I swam 16 lengths tonight in an attempt to just exercise and not sit in and eat

Well done on the 10k mammy and I love the sprint finish Moggle

RMC no idea why that happens. I always struggle with the first mile and want to go home!

Sorry you had to abandon your run mines that was exactly me just weeks before my first half, dh had to pick me up before I'd even completed 2 miles!

I know what you mean with wondering why we keep up the running, after the half last year I vowed never again but here we are struggling along giving up my Saturday night wine for a early Sunday start

RMC it's a slow incline about 8 mile, then flat for a bit before a steady climb between 10.5 /12 . I have devoured the magazine, not sure what I am looking for some kind of reassurance or something!!

Hope your foot get sorted short

I did a 3.5 mile hill run tonight was ok just have to keep my mind off wanting to stop and I've noticed I gurn when I run!!!! I must look a right fit I try so hard to relax my face I have no idea why i do it but I need to bloody pack it in its energy I can't afford to use

Hoolit thanks for the info! Mile and a half climb! Feeling a bit wobbly! It will be fine I am sure
I agree that the first mile is always the worst!

You'll be fine really you won't even notice there is so much going on.

Never trust the first mile!

shortaris hope your foot improves.

hoolit I keep hearing of spectacularly bad runs occurring before the race. It knocks self confidence though doesn't it? I think I'm just worried that up until now I've only got to 9 miles (10 in January so a bit further before) so what if I can't do the distance? I've 5 weeks to go though so I'm determined not to panic yet

rmc I saw 1.5 miles of Hill and was too for you but honestly bet it's not as bad as it sounds.

Now for the bit to make you all jealous. The Cardiff half is flat flat flat but thanks to living where I do I've been training on hills hills hills. My total elevation since June is 2000m. I like the strength boost it gives me and thinking it should really help on the day but actually am wondering if I should choose to run a long,flat run as part of training. I should shouldn't I?

IT'S NOT THE GNR! !!

Mines ha ha!!

Oh I forgot to mention 2 other things that happened today.

1. My big toenail came off

1. TMI sorry!! When I was running I pee'd myself. OK I'll clarify. In recent years I have had bladder issues building-a couple of uti and urgency. In recent months I started to become a bit incontinent when walking the dog etc . So I took to wearing panty liners constantly. It's improved but when I run I ahem,leak,urine. Today it was so bad I could see a noticeable wet patch . So I'm going to buy bigger pads for running only (I'm 35 don't want to give in yet) and only wear black leggings. Please please tell me it's not just me... (though understand if you don't want to tell the Internet)

It really wasn't my run was it

Mines nope! Not just you. Constant battle here between drinking enough and managing my bladder

Oh dear mines I'd forget that run completely ever happened start afresh and to answer your question I think I get that ahem sweaty no one could tell what it is! I used a liner last year and it didn't stay in place!!! You did ask
I have only run just over 9.5 miles and my run is on the 10th or 9th I forget, but most training plans only do the full whack on the day although I am hoping for at least 11 miles on Sat as next Saturday I have the Cheviot challenge cos I got mixed up with the dates so hope I don't bugger myself!

Mine this happens to me too & my running buddy although she just leaks, on one run my whole bladder emptied. She advised Tena liners but I haven't purchased yet. Black leggings all the way. It's down to the impact I'd say.

I also train on hills & my half is all flat but I do some flat running too.

Mines

I'm so glad that you brought this up- I thought I was the only one with potentially 'pish-y pants', but was embarrassed that I may be the only one.

It happened to a lesser extent when I wasn't running as far but seemed to improved. Now I have to drink on my longer runs, I find that as I drink, it seems to just come out the other end (soz for the TMI). Yes to the panty liners, but didn't want to admit I may need a 'Tena Lady'.

I had this convo with my sister and the same thing happens to her. Her view is that 'unless it's gushing out, then there's nothing can be done.'

I will be taking an entire change of clothes, wet wipes and deodorant wipes to change after I've finished. I always get cold after a race, but mainly so I don't smell of wee!

Mine's definitely not just you! Noticed I was getting damp when I ran so got the Dr to refer me to specialist (aka fanny) physio. She got me doing the exercises with a hand shoved up my fundament to check I was doing them right and then gave me a list of exercises to do. Nothing complicated but you have to do them daily. Much better now. DONT JUST PUT UP WITH IT!

BTW I've not had kids but I was running, doing body attack and combat and doing double leg ab exercises! Also running for a 30 second pee at work and not emptying properly so now I have to sit for a few seconds and rock to make sure I'm emptying properly.

You did ask!

As for the music I like I run to 'Running Trax' and 'Now that's what I call running' . Pure 90's cheese!

You have all inspired me and I have just ordered some new trainers as I had had some niggles in my ankle and shin the last few weeks and hoping it's that my trainers are worn out. I have just gone for the newer version of the ones I have got (Saucony Jazz 18) as have got on well with them. Should be here tomorrow and hoping for a long run on Monday to test them out.
To those of you that have already done a HM or more than one, do you find that you generally go slightly faster on the day because of all the other people? Really hoping so, would love a 10 minute mile average. 6 weeks on Sunday

Oh and me too with the leaking. Some days worse than others and caffeine definitely makes it worse. I find having an extra wee before I leave helps a bit. I find it quite upsetting, I am 30 years old for goodness sake!

Mammy

The trainer tags go through your laces- like this:

I've lost it. I can't do it. Been out the last two days and not even managed 3k each time.

I don't know what to do, the internal argument and thinking about how faaaarrrr it is is really putting me off. I managed 18k on Saturday for fuck's sake. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?

This stupid race has taken over my life all summer, cost loads and now I'm just fannying about. I know I need to go out twice in the week to make the long run easier, but have no motivation. So I've failed before I've even started.

I feel like quitting, but know I can't. My family are travelling to watch me, taken on more than their share of housework and given me never ending encouragement and I'll fail them all.

I know I'll shuffle round my race and really want to enjoy it and come back on here to say, 'Ive only gone and fucking done it', but I'm mega doubting myself.

On a more positive note: the run was so short, there was no 'leakage' 😀

I've been working with the running club coach and most of my runs are supposed to be slower than my target pace. I have a few that are easy, HM pace, easy sandwiches and a couple of hard park runs plus speed work when fresh enough. All the rest are supposed to be at easy pace.

I would watch for getting carried away at the start (probably easier in a "big" race with pens and everyone declaring similar times being together than a small local race). I went off way too fast in my 1st half trying to stay with the pack and had a bad time in the middle as a result. Still finished but walked more than I had hoped.

moogle I feel exactly the same, and that I'm stupid to have signed up for a half as I'm not good enough, and that I may aswell stop dieting cos I haven't got the willpower and hate it,and that...

We both need to keep calm. This is the NASTY self doubting,demotivating part to our personality that we all possess. Having a few bad runs doesn't help. The trick is to be strong and refuse to listen to that vonce, power on through it and come out the other side with the result we want (half marathon medal/3 stone lighter in my case!) . Yes it sucks now but think how good it'll feel when we achieve it!

We WILL do it. We WILL NOT fail anyone (they're already super proud of you!) but most of all WILL NOT fail ourselves.

I'm struggling with the inner voice right now and fed up of training/dieting but I'm getting my game face back on, and you should too.

Regarding leakagetting, I'm glad it's not just me! I'm going to invest in some tena lady for runs. No one else will know I'm a 35 year old incontinence pad wearer apart from you lot and whoever else I tell with my over sharing habit.

I looked in Asics,New Balance and Adidas outlets today but have actually seen a pair I prefer online, so will order them tomorrow. And I need a new bra, and kit...

Ok if there is anyone there talk me up! I am sitting here waiting for my running buddy to come. We need to do a long run, 9-10 miles. And I really really don't want to go! My back hurts I am knackered ( teenage party pick up at midnight last night) but if I don't get out today I haven't a clue when I will do it !
Someone give me a MN kick up the arse!

Oh and I had a riding lesson yesterday for first time in three weeks! Thighs are killing me!

Get moving RMC - tell us about it when you get back :)

Tough love, RMC:

Shift your arse!

And I'm in total awe about running in the evening. If I'm not out by 8.45am, it's normally a rubbish run.

Good luck.