Half Marathon Thread continues .....

[mammymammyIRL]

Don't want us to lose contact !

Hello @growingboys!

I would go down a mileage plan route with unpredictable hours/running opportunities. I had a weekly mileage target and the only fixed runs were a long run (moved from 8 miles up to 12 miles) and I tended to do a parkrun. Other than that I would just spread the week's miles over as many runs as I could fit in grabbing 30-45 minute slots over the week. The only time consuming runs were the long runs so only 1 per week which helped.

Good luck!

Hello growingboys like random I didn't have any fixed training plan - one long run which I increased each week and 2/3 other runs.
There's a rule of thumb i heard that you should cover double the distance that you plan to run weekly if you're not doing a long run.

Have you opportunity to run at lunch or in the evenings?

I managed to get out yesterday evening and did 12.5km and probably had a bit more in the tank so I'm feeling a bit more positive.

Growingboys I prefer running in the evening - I don't know if that might work for you - sometimes I get a casserole on and leave DH to dish up supper for himself and the DC while I'm out running. I also used to have a regular very early morning run slot with a neighbour (I'd never get up under my own steam) to get a shorter faster paced run in once a week. It helped with balancing running and family life.

I did my longest ever run today, 10.5k. Took me an hour and a half, but its done!

Thank you so much MammymammyIRL and londonmummy1966 - really good tips there.

I sometimes get a lunch break and so do a quick four miles round the park, so that will count. I'm not so good in the evenings - I tend to leave work shattered (I cycle to and from work) and so have just lost the will to exercise by then. But maybe I need to change that. I like the sound of leaving DH to feed the children - that might actually be enough to get me out there!

I like the idea of a weekly mileage plan though, although 26 miles/week sounds such a lot in terms of fitting it in! But it's definitely something to aim at. I also do yoga because it's the best way of preventing running injuries, so that takes up an hour a week as well.

Anyway thank you both so much - loads to think about in your replies.

The other thing that stresses me is the race itself - I am a solitary runner and run alone to clear my head. I get stressed if there's another runner at roughly my pace near me and have to speed up to overtake them and keep it up for a bit to make sure they don't overtake me back. Think I'm gonna have to get over that one before race day!

Thank you x

Hi everyone, could I join you all please?

I’ve been running for years and have done four half marathons in the past, however when I got pregnant last year I had a really horrible time and wasn’t able to run at all. My DD is now 10 months and I’m still not back to running plus I’m 2 stone overweight. The problem is I’m signed up to do the London Landmarks half in March. Is it even possible that I can think about this?

I’m absolutely shattered all the time, just gone back to work full time and by the time the baby goes to bed it’s 7.30 and I’m ready to collapse. How can I shoehorn in some training? I can manage a weekend run but can’t see how I can run through the week. I can’t train for a half on one run a week. Any advice??

C x

@Clarabell100 welcome & of course you can join in & also it's very achievable to do a half marathon in 4 months + time.
What's your work schedule? One run a week isn't enough but it's a start, give yourself a couple of weeks to settle back into work first though

Can you squeeze anything in at lunchtime clarabell or leave LO in childcare for an extra hour once a week or can OH collect so you can have an hour at either start or end of the day? It’s not easy when they are little and the endless bugs they bring home.
Missed my long run over the wend as we were away then woke up to feeling crap with throat thing this morn hopefully it will clear fast as I squirted that “first defence” stuff up my nose! And I’m in need of a run after a weekend full of carb loading

Thanks! Lunch time is a possibility, we don’t have showers at work so it would be a wash at the sink in the ladies after! Before work is definitely not an option. I am the complete opposite of a morning person and I can just about get up on time to get myself and the baby sorted!

I contemplated running home from work and my husband could pick up the baby. It would take me roughly 45mins but I work 8.30-5.30 and our daughter goes to bed at 6.45 so it would mean barely seeing her which sounds pathetic but going back to work has been so hard and seeing her wee face at the end of the day gets me through it.

The only other option is to go at 7.30 when she’s in bed. I’m exhausted by then and the nights are so dark I just know I’d end up coming up with every excuse under the sun not to go.

As you say mammy, I need to settle back into work first so might stick with my one weekend run for a few weeks and then see if I can persuade anyone in work to come with me at lunch. We work near lots of great running routes so it would be good to get away from our desks!

Clarabell looks like lunchtime is a good option for you - if you space it out right you could get 3/4 into week. Fri eve (cos you'd have weekend with dd anyhow) sat/sun & tues & thurs lunch?

Trigirl weekends are desperate for carbs aren't they!

Clara that's good advice from Mammy and Tri, hope you can get into a routine.

I'm back running after the injury but just increasing my mileage by 10% a week. Feels great though I want to do more!

Growing would doing an everyday running challenge help? They have them on run mummy run on Facebook.

May I get some quick advice please? Since yesterday I've got a sore throat, bunged up and what with my 14 month old thinking 3am is a good time to play, have not had a lot of sleep.
Do I run today, or rest? I didn't run yesterday because of it, but am worried about falling behind with training.

Listen to your body loudest I’ve not run since Friday as had a virus niggling at me, I tend to recover quicker if I have a break for a couple of days then I go out and normally run my fastest after the last two bugs I’ve done that! Hoping I can get out thurs eve if I have the energy again.

I did go in the end, but only on the treadmill. I only went and got not only a pb, but a sub 40 minute 5k, which I've never done before!

Please can I join you? I’ve signed up to a 30k rather than HM but as I’m fairly back to basics a lot of my training is going to start the same.

I’ve had a pants year of injuries and only just getting mojo back. Have joined a running club which has been brill for showing me how to maintain a consistent pace. Did my first park run at weekend too - got an 8.30 average which has been bloody ages since got close to that!

How often are you all running at the mo? That seems to be my injury downfall.
At the mo, I’m trying to do:
6-7 miles on a tues
3 miles on a thurs or fri
Longer run (only been 7ish at mo though) on a sun

I then do gym classes, mon, wed, thurs and sat ideally. But not sure if I need to be running more?

Wow well done loudest! Maybe your body was just so keen to get home to rest it went super fast!

Thanks for all the advice ladies. I’ve roped in another girl in my team and we’re going to start going out once a week at lunch with a view to upping it once I get into the swing.

Wow buster - 30k! Good for you! Back when I was running a lot I used to find that cross training with some gym classes actually helped my running however I think I’d probably swap out one of the classes you’re doing for another run. What about introducing some sprints or tempo work? I used to love doing hill training too. When I did training sessions it definitely helped improve my pace and stamina.

Thanks clarabell i think you’re right, there’s a hill training session on Thursday nights at my running club, I think I need to man up and do it! I hate, loathe and detest hills though. If everything was flat or a slight downhill I’d be an amazing runner

Buster I'm with you on that one! That's why I'm looking forward to a 10k on Sunday, described as "undulating but mainly downhill"

I'd also swap one cross training session for a 4th run.

Well done on running buddy clarabell

Did a scrappy 5k today after a week off with cold/virus thing, was a struggle though as still not over the bug but felt good to get a bit of fresh air. Hoping to do a longer run on Monday.

I've not posted here for ages! Well done on everyones training. I've a 10k tomorrow which is my first race since the hm. Not expecting anything amazing from it like a pb etc. Not signed up for another hm yet but I will.

My 10k is today too mines Good luck!

Next planned HM is March, though I haven't actually entered yet...

Survived my 10k today, 2 minutes slower than last year, at just over 54 mins. Happy enough as was expecting to be around 55 mins. Gorgeous blue skies, cold, great running weather.

My friend was 1st veteran female, I am just in awe of her speed.

How did you get on mines?

Purple I'm in awe of your speed - my best ever 10k - many years ago was 53 these days I'd be delighted with 70...

I've had a good week as we were away for half term so I got a couple of very hilly but lovely runs in on the Cornish coast paths. (Including a 10k that took 93 minutes but there were some absolutely massive climbs and a very brisk headwind.) All that hill work paid off as my long run today (15K up 1.5K from last week) was much easier than last weeks and my final 5k was significantly faster than the other two. I am starting to believe that I can do a HM in March.

I am pleased with the 10k I ran today it was all extreme hills! But I ran the whole thing and got a decent time (for me) so feel happy but tired. purple I'm planning a March half too! My next race is 5k on NYE. Well done on your brilliant 10k!
london you are doing amazing.