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Original poster

Half Marathon Panic - I can't run it all

47 replies

careerchangeperhaps · 06/10/2021 08:16

I'm meant to be running a half this weekend. I'm massively under prepared as I've had various minor injuries over the summer that've affected my training and more recently I've been suffering badly with the 'not-Covid' cold (although I'm ok now). I was set to withdraw a few weeks ago - mainly because I'm not happy about there being no water stations or bag drop available, but it's a race that's difficult to get a ballot place and I don't think I'd be lucky enough to get the chance again.
So, shall I go and do my best? I am a slower runner (my best half time is 2:35) but I've got no chance of being able to run much of this. I haven't done any races for a couple of years. I've previously run 2 half marathons and several 10ks. The longest training run I've done recently is 4 miles . I walked 13 miles in a day a couple of weeks ago (although not continuously; we stopped for lunch). I think I could get round by running a mile and walking 2 miles and repeating. But is this too slow? Would it be awful to be right at the back? Would everyone be whizzing past me?
It's the Royal Parks if that makes a difference.

OP posts:

Original poster

careerchangeperhaps · 06/10/2021 21:08

Ah thanks @mocktail - that's reassuring

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BogRollBOGOF · 06/10/2021 21:12

I've been building up my milage by Jeffing. I've set a timer for 2:30 running and 30s walking and it's been much lower impact than aiming for longer bursts of running and walking more from tiredness. I set a timer off with sound effects for the run/ walk. I've ended up being able to up it to 12mi today using wk9 C25k on loop to keep my pace steady.

It's a popular race so I should imagine a good field of more casual participants going gently at slower runs or walking.

I have ended up brisk walking late in races and overtaking slow runners and it's less impact on a grumbling body!

OrangeBananaFish · 06/10/2021 21:40

What have you got to lose? Seriously do it. I bet you won't be as slow as you think you will be. Do it for your relative, do it for others who can't do it (injuries, not getting in etc), do it for yourself. There is a meme I've seen that says "I really regret that run" said no runner ever!!!!

Honestly you will be soo annoyed with yourself if you don't give it a go, but even if you stop before finishing at least you tried.

If you really really didn't want to do it, then you wouldn't have started this thread. Yes its scary, but aren't most things that are worth doing?

Good luck and let us know how you did.

HollyandIvyandAllThingsYule · 06/10/2021 21:53

You promised, so you’ll always regret it if you don’t do it.

Run-walk sounds like a good strategy.

Chocolateteabag · 06/10/2021 22:32

I'm doing a HM on Sunday - and getting v nervous!
I've done a few 10K races and got to 12 miles on very hilly routes. My HM is very flat though so no idea what time I'll manage
I did 58 for my last 10k

Hoping to stick to 6min km's and do it in 2.10-2.15?

londonmummy1966 · 06/10/2021 22:59

Go and enjoy it. I had a good laugh with the people around me by miles 7/8 as we were basically doing the same pace over 30 mins or so but some of us were Jeffing - various intervals - and some were straight running so the Jeffers overtook the runners in their run intervals and the runners overtook us again on our walks. It is a really great atmosphere and people keep each other going.

Have a look at the Girls that Jeff Facebook page - there are bound to be people on there doing Royal Parks. I'm so jealous as I've not been allowed to run for over a year now and am dying to get back into it.

HastySlander · 06/10/2021 23:04

Honestly you’ll be fine. I did the royal parks for charity two years ago and hadn’t trained at all, I only didn’t pull out because I’d raised money and wouldn’t be able to give it back. I ended up doing it in 3hrs 15 and wasn’t the last. I couldn’t walk for days after but that’s by the by

camelfinger · 06/10/2021 23:10

It is a lovely event. It’s a shame about the bag drop saga and lack of water (you used to get loads of chocolate at the end years ago!) but the course and the atmosphere will hopefully make up for it.

AuntieStella · 07/10/2021 19:01

Just wondering if because it's not a normal year, maybe the fun runners won't be bothered to turn up

Yes they will. They did at the Big Half, they did at the CRUK Winter Run in Summer, and they didn't the Marathon. There are loads of charity places for this event, they will be there. It's always a real mixed-ability event. They have partcipants who are walkers.

I did it a couple of years ago - it's one of my favourites.

The time allowed is pretty generous - the eventnas a whole doesn't finish until 4pm. All the second half of the course is within Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens, so the road closures don't matter once you're over Hyde Park Corner. The route in the park is utterly baffling though - going round in loops I lost all sense of where I was!

Shopgirl1 · 07/10/2021 22:36

I’d give it a go, if you can run / walk it then do that and enjoy the atmosphere without worrying about time.

@ninnynonny in fairness 2.30 is slow for a runner for a half, look at race finish times. It doesn’t matter if you are there for fun and to finish it though.

Original poster

careerchangeperhaps · 10/10/2021 15:14

UPDATE:

Thank you to all those who offered words of encouragement. I'm pleased to say that I finished. The last 3 miles weren't particularly pleasant but I've got my medal and t shirt and can honestly say that I'm glad I did it; it's a lovely race.

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Cloudyzebra · 10/10/2021 15:15

Brilliant well done! I had been wondering if you'd gone for it.

AuntieStella · 10/10/2021 15:18

Well done!!!!!

Newgirls · 10/10/2021 16:13

Well done! Lovely day for it too

londonmummy1966 · 10/10/2021 16:18

Well done good running weather today hope you enjoyed it in retrospect!

Out of interest did you try Jeffing?

Original poster

careerchangeperhaps · 10/10/2021 17:06

@londonmummy1966

Well done good running weather today hope you enjoyed it in retrospect!

Out of interest did you try Jeffing?

Did you try Jeffing?

Sort of..
I ran the first 3 miles almost continuously but at a very steady pace.
Miles 3-10: I did a run/walk combination, trying various combinations of running vs walking, changing it up at each mile marker.
Miles 10-13 I mainly walked (but kept the pace up) with the odd stretch of jogging when I felt I could.
I ran the last bit where the photographers were .

OP posts:

ninnynonny · 10/10/2021 17:51

@Shopgirl1

I’d give it a go, if you can run / walk it then do that and enjoy the atmosphere without worrying about time.

@ninnynonny in fairness 2.30 is slow for a runner for a half, look at race finish times. It doesn’t matter if you are there for fun and to finish it though.

I'm 58, this is my first ever half and I just want to get the end. Luckily I have a lot of supportive runner friends who do similar times.

And well done @careerchangeperhaps

HastySlander · 10/10/2021 20:47

Congratulations!

Forestcantrun · 10/10/2021 20:59

Excellent work @careerchangeperhaps

FlamesEmbersAshes · 10/10/2021 21:02

Brilliant-well done!

mocktail · 11/10/2021 13:04

Well done! What time did you manage in the end?

Original poster

careerchangeperhaps · 11/10/2021 21:52

@mocktail

Well done! What time did you manage in the end?

3:12

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