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?

I've got a half marathon on January 15th, so only 2 weeks left to train! I've been loosely following the Nike Run Club app training plan for HM but only managing 4 out of the 5 runs per week.

Did a short tempo run this morning on gravelly terrain and I'm pleased with the results. Will do a final long run on Monday in my new race shoes to test them out.

Keep going everyone!

Well done @xsquared . Is your half on the road?

New shoes is always exciting!

Yes, flat road and supposedly a good pb course!

Hello, can I join? I'm not starting proper training until Feb though, I think. I've had a bad shin for ages, well since I trained for two half maras last spring really... So planning to take it easy in Jan and cross train instead.
I have loaded the Garmin plan onto my phone/watch. But it wants min 4 runs a week and I need to rest my shin min 2 days between runs. Anyone know of any plans which are based around 3 runs/week, at least for the early weeks? I'm hoping to run sub 2 in my local half in May so have chosen a time based plan as I know I can do the distance (once I've built up my base fitness again!).

@xsquared sounds like you've got it well in hand for the half, hope the long run goes well with the new shoes.

@JessicaBrassica - chocolate is a definite impediment. I'm aiming to cut back on sugar next month, that seems to suit me best but it's slipped a lot over December.

@Jumbojem hello! I prefer a 3 run plan too but they don't seem easy to come by. I like the Garmin plan because it's so tailored but struggle with 4 days a week and I like to plan a bit ahead around work. The plan I'm following has 3 minimum with optional extras. The long run is distance based and the two short runs are time based, which I find easier for planning in the week. It's heart rate focused.

I am not joining I hate running. I just wanted to say good luck

I'll join please :) I dod around half of the nike run club training a fee months back, but stopped die to leg pain

@Jumbojem I'm doing the 16w Garmin beginners plan which is 3x a week. Saturday, Monday and Wednesday.

Today we did an epic 5k trail race. Horizontal hail just before the start meant the race started up a lane through an inch of slush. Parts of the tracks were under water - knee deep! It was full of friendly crazy runners and I thoroughly loved it.

Apparently it was quicker than many of our recent runs - clearly a warm dry pub at the finish makes a great incentive!

This made me smile! Thanks Barbie! Support always appreciated

Thanks for the thread OP - I am aiming for a half marathon in March, first one ever. Currently doing 10-12k regularly but a half seems a lot longer! 😱. Need to get training properly. Great to hear other people’s advice and experiences ones too.

I haven’t run for a long time and at the time , when I have, I’ve never been fast. I went today for a first time for long walk, with jogs bits. 1h 15 min and length 6.7km. It’s really slow. I hope I’ll improve my speed soon.

That's an excellent base @LemonDrizzle89, far ahead of where I am now, so you should be in great shape for it. Have you got a plan in mind?

@Turefu that sounds a good plan for getting back into it, I did similar last year when I'd been out for a bit - I found it much better physically and mentally.

That epic race sounds amazing @JessicaBrassica , but definitely chilly, you earned that pub!

parkrun was a little slower for me than I'd have liked but it was lovely to be out and enjoyed coffee and cake after. I'll cut down on the sugar in the week. My VO2 max went up again. Running isn't feeling any easier but I'm hoping that means the HR training is having some impact.

@LemonDrizzle89 first half is exciting! You're already regularly doing half the distance if it's any help, that's further than I'm doing on a regular basis. Think I'm mostly doing 6k, sometimes stopping for a swim on the way. I need to focus on increasing my distance!

@Turefu - I'm not fast. With a lot of training I could maintain a reasonable speed but time on your feet is really important. I know that if I can run for 2-2.5 hrs I can get round.

I haven’t got a plan but I feel like this thread is giving me the inspiration and also reassuring me that 3 runs a week is ok , 1 long and 2 shorter . Thats what I’ve been doing so far so I need to ret to up the speed and up the distance gradually .

Tempo runs and fartlek sessions are really good for building speed. Hills are also good. I tend to do a long run, and either hill repeats and a speed session. But if I'm tired I'll do a long, an easy and either hills or speed.
Not that any of my runs are completely flat which makes pacing really tricky!

Intervals made a big difference for me when my pace hit a plateau. I used a treadmill which helped keep me on pace!

I have to be disciplined about hills - where I run in the week is pancake flat. It's quite hilly at home so I've got caught out in the past. I have to do my long runs at the weekend as I'm not the most nippy. Going to try the treadmill for some inclines in the week this time round.

I'm going to join in!
I have a half marathon in 14 weeks time. It's my first half in 10 years.
I started running exactly a year ago (after an 8 year break) but injury and covid made it a very inconsistent year. I only did parkruns so the Half will be a big step up. I'm not back to pre-covid fitness yet (4 months of recovery so far) but hoping that some
consistent running will help.
Currently running 3 times a week and building my long run up slowly (currently at 6 miles). I love parkrun so have build up to running there and back which isn't a big total but every mile helps!

Welcome @24petlegs - I'm a big parkrun fan too. I didn't do as many last year as I was volunteering at a new one, that didn't help my overall fitness for sure. I'm always in awe of people who run there and back!

@chutneypig I live 0.87 miles from my parkrun! Slow jog there, parkrun, jog home...can stretch it to 5miles, just!
I'm lucky that I have several others to choose from when I need to up the mileage.

I'm planning on a long mid-week run, a hill rep session when I can find a decent hill (flat area) plus parkrun (with run to and from). Given the long covid, I can't add much more in just yet as recovery is vitally important right now. In a few weeks, I'll try adding in an extra run. I have to be so sensible right now otherwise I'm going to be back to square 1.

I'd love to join. Have a half marathon in early April. Used to run a lot but not so much last few years and hoping this will kickstart the habit again. Am comfortable at 3 miles so really need to keep on top of the training to get it all in.

Hope everyone is making a better start than me! My plan wanted me to do an easy 6 miles yesterday. I did 4 before I threw in the towel as my on/off shin pain was very much on.
I think I'm going to pause the plan for a couple of weeks to rest. I'm doing a 30 day yoga challenge so will do that alongside walking and some core work for now.

That sounds a good plan @24petlegs. It's so easy to overdo it at this point. That's nice to have parkrun options to mix things up. We've got a lot near us but none close enough to run to.

Welcome @qwertylal. My half is a similar time, nice to have a good run up to it.

Oh no @Jumbojem that must be so frustrating - yoga has got to help. Is it one of Adriene's you're doing?

I did 5 miles today with a lot of walking. I'm trying to not focus on pace or time but getting the distance done and mixing my routes up to keep it interesting. I rapidly make excuses if I keep doing the same route, so I'm going to explore the length of a local canal.

Hello runners!

My HM is n early April but I’m going to double up on week one of my plan and start tomorrow. I’ve slacked off recently and only really doing parkrun so will be good to get back into running regularly.

@chutneypig i think we used to be in a running or parkrun thread together a few years ago - if so, nice to see you again!

I remember @OhOneOhTwoOhThree! Lovely to see you again!

3 and a bit very slow, even by my standards, miles done in the dark this morning. Just managed to avoid the rain, which was starting as I got back. Fuelled by left over panetonne (found lurking in a cupboard, thought we’d finished all the Christmas food).