Half marathon training, starting 1/1/23

[JessicaBrassica]

Hi,
I'm planning to start half marathon training in n Jan 1st. Aiming definitely for an event on May 13 but plan designed around a race on 22/4. Just in case.

Anyone want to join me?
I've done several halfs before but not run a good one for a few years.
I'm using the Garmin beginner 3x a week programme.

Anyone want to join me?

It's fascinating to hear more about peoples experiences with pace. I'm another who started in their 40s. I was the antithesis of sporty at school, I have hyper mobile joints which I can't imagine helps. I'd like to get back to my pre pandemic pace, and weight as well while I'm at it!

No run for me today, RD at parkrun. Just working up to doing some yoga. 7 miles for me tomorrow, I'll take my new shoes for a spin. Thank goodness it's warmer than last week. I'm going to try porridge for breakfast and will make some energy balls tomorrow, but probably not on time to take any out.

I’m in my forties too. Finished work just before 8pm, ten hours shift and then went for run. 50 minutes, 5.3km , speed 6.44km/hour, compared to 6.32km/hour in Thursday. Tiny increase, I’m pleased I’m getting better.

Hello! I did do my speed repeats on Thursday. Only hit the right pace for 4 out of 6 though, one coincided with an uphill section so I decided run to effort was enough. The other I was just fatigued.

I'm 50 this year and have run since my late 20s but never seriously, when I started things like Garmin watches or apps like Strava didn't take exist so I've no idea how fast or fast I ran in those days! This is my first year, despite years of running, actually following a training plan!

Also, just changed my training plan. I've dropped Coach Amy on Garmin Connect as I noticed that as I've put my half event onto my watch it gives you a personalised plan to achieve your goal. It's a bit of a revelation, today's was an easy run for 1.15hrs. The pace was a good 2min/mile slower than Amy had me running. It was so slow I couldn't run that pace on the road so did loops around the local hill fort instead. Loved it, as had place to myself pretty much.
However, the speed work is much faster than Coach Amy, it's very fast but only for 30 seconds to begin.
Bit of a revelation as I'm definitely guilty of having run all my runs at the same speed previously.

Have a great run tomorrow all of you who are planning to get out!

That's great news you're seeing that progress @Turefu, it really helps.

That's interesting @Jumbojem. I've not tried coach Amy, I went for Greg but did like the tailoring. My plan now has me doing long runs very slow. I'm not seeing much impact on pace yet, I guess it comes with endurance for the increasing distance. The hill fort run sounds amazing!

I forgot my watch for my run today so used Strava on my phone to track the distance. It was interesting not to follow so closely, I managed to keep pace similar to before so I thought that was encouraging even though I didn't have the heart rate alerts on my watch to guide me. Lovely day for it.

I think I do need a new watch though I charged it yesterday and had to again this morning which is why I forgot it. I'm looking around a bit and am thinking of a Forerunner 245, but will mull it over some more.

@chutneypig I gave a Garmin forerunner 255 and it's great.
@Jumbojem I'm on a coach Greg plan and it definitely adapts and the paces are dependent on the goal you put in. I have had a go at the daily suggestions and I couldn't get on with that as there didn't seem to be any pattern. Will be interesting to see how you do.

Easy run yesterday and a progression run today. I have in the past struggled with those but this time I made sure the slow bit was slow so that I still had the legs to go really hard for 10 mins at the end. Mentally it's a tough one to force such a change of pace.

Rest day tomorrow!

I felt good today after my 7km yesterday (longest run in about a year) so did a strength workout. Core, arms and some leg work. I’m dreading starting the speed drills this week but I know it’s the only way to get my times down.

8k pace run for me today, 45 mins so pleased with that. Need to do some speed training and sprints though. Argh! Not looking forward.
Shoes felt better today but still a bit tight on one foot. I am going to visit my sister next week, excited about running in a new place!
well done on all the weekend runs everyone 😀

Slow and steady 5 miles this evening. I swam first thing (open water so not for long as it had only just defrosted from a week of being iced over and even with a wetsuit I was cold. My rule is always to get out when I still feel as though I could do some more) then we spent most of the day driving to and from DS2’s sporting fixture. Now for yoga and a rest day tomorrow.

I'm really impressed with everyone that manages to squeeze in cross training. I do the odd bit of weights at home but that's pretty minimal. I run 4 times a week so I suppose I could do something on my days off, but I'm not sure I've got the motivation for that! I'll have to incorporate cycling to work back into my routine.

Hope everyone's training is going well. I had to have a week off as was unwell and my daughter had chicken pox! But back to it yesterday and managed 10 miles which feels like a milestone I have wanted to reach. I only have 5 weeks left so hoping to improve my speed. Got some new running trainers too which helped with niggles I have been getting, mainly in my knees

I'm hoping the lighter evenings and warmer weather is going to come soon!

Good to hear everyone's going out and not letting the weather get in the way! I bought a windbreaker which has helped. Gets suprisingly warm for such a light layer.

Garmin coach Amy has a week of tempo runs planned 😱 I hate them but reading through this thread it's good to know others have done them and they do help in the end.

I struggle with nausea if I run too hard but also do want to hit the pace goal.. I can do it for maybe 200-300m not the 1.6k the plan is asking for. But one day I will .. if I keep trying?!

Happy Monday all!

Great running everyone!

I did my long run this morning- exactly the same route as last week and exactly the same time...to the second! I'm quite surprised as today felt harder and I was trying to run slower but 1:08:48 (today) and 1:08:48 (last Monday) is quite bizarre!
Better pre-run food needed as I got to half way and felt really hungry. Had a gel at 6 miles and felt a bit better.

Hello! Just came back from my run. 5.10km, 47 minutes, 6.55km / per hour. Another small progress 🙂👍 I’m pleased it’s getting better, but envious towards those, who can run so fast. I can see many of you do additional training, weights, yoga. I don’t do it , perhaps I should start.

I always like getting a Monday run in, feels like a good start to the week. I did a shorter one, 5k, but those are important too! Think I'm going to ditch run club tomorrow and do a gym class instead which I haven't done for a couple of weeks. @Turefu I do make sure I do hit classes and weights aswell as I find it helps my speed and overall fitness. Would you give it a try?

Hi @theworldhasgoneinsane I will. I've got set of weights, need to use them.

@Turefu you're doing really well without it so guess it depends on if you had the time, or wanted to swap a run for a weights work out

@theworldhasgoneinsane Thanks 🙂
I want have stronger arms too and harder core muscles. But for now jogging without loosing breath after ten seconds is already achievement for me.

Well done on your progress. I love how with running you can see the small gains - they soon add up!

I always used to "just run". It was my thing.
3 stress fractures later along with a change of outlook (open water swimming for the camaraderie, triathlons to try something new, cycling cos I got a good bike) and now I do lots of other thing as we as running.
I think what helps my running the most is the strength/weights class. Keeping my core strong and generally improving my upper body strength I think helps prevent injury and helps me not collapse in a heap dig in when races get tough.

I should definitely do some bendy stuff too, but I never get beyond the intention. I guess swimming helps with that.

@TheOrigRights made some really good points. Core strength is very important, I've especially learnt that this time around after having 2 children!

But it's important to remember that running anything is such an achievement. It's so tough, mentally as well as physically!

Opne water swimming? How did you start? I can't imagine doing that. Where do you swim?

@Turefu i would only add in extra sessions if you have the time. For me,
daily stretching happens at odd times- cooking dinner means I can stretch my calves or quads, a few back stretches whilst supervising homework, a few arm stretches whilst waiting in the car...all adds up and can be a good injury preventer.

Running is my second sport; I took it back up to help with my main sport.
I really enjoy it though so alternate my training focus each week. This week is a heavier run week whereas next week I'll ease back on the running and work more on the other.

You're making such consistent progress @Turefu I probably wouldn't change your running pattern. I think what @brooksghost suggested about stretch snacking is a great idea - I do a fair bit of that too. You could throw in some squats/lunges too.

I found a short hand weights session - ten minutes or so - three times a week helped my pace when I'd plateaued. But fitting bits in little and often should help on injury prevention.

I'm into peak phase this week, so a tempo run this morning, then intervals Thursday with more repeats. I've ordered a Forerunner 255 so can't wait till that turns up!

Hello everyone - I caught up last night and now am inspired to finally try the dreaded speed repeats!

I'm a bit late asking as I'm going out at 8am but would 30 secs sprint 30 secs recovery x 7 be a good place to start??? That's what's in my watch from old half marathon training!

I want it to be achievable but also want it to be effective so don't want to go too easy!

I'm up to 9 miles slow and 2 other shorter runs but they're all at the same pace around 10 minute miles which Google says is 6.13 per km

@FusionChefGeoff I would probably have a longer recovery for your first interval session- 30secs hard then a walk/slow jog back to the start. Like adding mileage to long runs; do the same with intervals...this week do X number then add in subsequent weeks. It'll be a shock to the body system if you've not done speed intervals before!

Thank you!!! I've done them before just not for a couple of years which is the same I suppose 😁😁

Ok will use a stretch of flat river path near me and do distance markers rather than time for now. Flat out then slow recovery back.