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?

Sounds like you've got a touch of (half) maranoia @brooksghost ! You've been doing great, I'm sure you'll love it come race day.
I know the feeling though, I did my "tired run" today and pushed it a bit as others on here said this is how they run them. What a disaster, didn't feel able to push at all and even walked for a bit. Feel a bit demoralised and although Garmin Amy has the confidence level right up as high as it goes for me I did start looking at other training plans to see if there's something I'm missing. To top of off Amy wants me to run 14 miles on Sunday, this surely can't be right at 9 weeks out for a half?
Hope everyone else is in a more positive space than me!

14 miles @Jumbojem !!! 😱

I haven't run that far and I'm tapering now.

Are you sure you haven't ticked Marathon?! Some plans do have you running over the race distance, but I'm not sure how much benefit you'd gain from doing it 9 weeks before. Is that the longest run in the plan.
I personally never run the whole distance in training.

Keep at it. 9 weeks is loads of time. I'd be inclined to modify my plan if I was getting demoralised. It's one thing to have the odd bad run - we all have those, but if you're regularly feeling like you're chasing the training goals maybe it's not the plan for you.

Running on sore legs is bound to throw you into a panic. You're not going to racing your Half 2 days after a muddy duathlon, are you?!

Unless you are an olympic athlete we'll never have done enough training. Your goal has to be appropriate for the training you've done. I have never reached my potential because well...I have a family and a job and like to play Candy Crush. I'm OK with that. Obviously there is a flaw in the plan of being able to reach my potential once I'm retired, not raising a family and have completed Candy Crush 👵

That said, of course we WANT it. It's that desire that gets us out there in stupid weather.

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to respond to this.
Bloody well done girl! 5 mins is a MASSIVE chunk to take off. You are right to be ecstatic.

I thought the conditions were pretty perfect. Certainly not as cold (sleety!) as they had been predicting. Little wind. I thought there were fewer people along the route (loads in town), but it was very cold so I imagine that kept some people away. I felt for the marshals being out there for hours.

I knew I had people at mile 12 and 2 marshal friends at 12 1/2 miles. Knowing this really gave me a boost.

Oh that's fab. 7 mins quicker than your goal. Tempted to try for a sub 2?
Well done on raising so much money.
It was cold. I didn't get cold beforehand because (as usual) I didn't arrive at the venue very early. Just time to go to the loo, run over the bag drop, and run to the start.
I made sure I went straight to get my bag when I finished, instead of wandering around with a big post race grin like a twat. I then got some tea, rounded up my car share mates and headed home.

Jumbojem I love the sound of your relay. I think! It's one of those things that's really hard to explain to other people; they look at you like "why on earth would you want to do that?"!

@TheOrigRights your posts have made me smile, as well as being full of great advice.

My plan is taking me up to 12 miles (this weekend, 2 weeks out from race day). When I don’t follow a plan I usually just make sure I have 10 miles under my belt in the lead up. DH is also running the same HM as me and won’t have gone above 9 in training.

I had a sleety 4 miles yesterday, almost got taken out by a cyclist at Hyde Park corner who swooshed past with a couple of inches to spare. Today was a lot nicer 5 mikes along the Thames.

30mins at race pace today - felt really heavy going and actually a bit demoralising. I have run at a faster pace for longer than I managed today so I don't know why it was so hard.

Taper is now starting in earnest - trying very hard not to do extra - too late now!

My HM race number arrived today! Eeek!
It has my name on it which I think is a great idea as people can cheer you on by name.
My race info for the trail run (2 weeks after the HM) arrived in my inbox today as well!

Exciting (and nervous) times.

However, today has been a write off- too much stress (including big meeting at school). Managed a mile jog before the body and brain said no more. Tried an easy bike turbo session instead but again, just nothing there. Also ravenous today so have loaded up the carbs.

I think I'll give the legs a full rest tomorrow before parkrun on Saturday.

I'll be two weeks out on Sunday too @OhOneOhTwoOhThree - I think my plan has 12 as well but I'm going to do my favourite 10 mile loop and see if I can get my husband to do it too, he's not done that loop before,

This last bit is hard mentally I think. I did intervals today instead of a longer tempo run because I was shattered. It felt dreadful and I was full of negative self talk - when I actually looked at it it wasn't so bad - benefit of keeping a journal.

Just keep remembering that longer run @shamoola! Reading your post made me realise that I've got no real gauge of my race pace. I know the pace I'd need for a course best but no idea where I really am in relation to it. That is a downside of the heart rate training.

I'm feeling the mix of nerves and excitement for those of you getting close to race day!
Intervals day for me today, couldn't go at lunchtime as too busy plus the length of them is getting longer 3.30min on/off) which means it's a bit of a stretch for a lunch slot.
So, windy and wet post work, but I got it done. Now have that enjoyable (I may be weird!) tired legs feeling.

@shamoola menstrual cycle related?? I always feel like I'm running in lead boots a couple of days before I'm due on.

@Jumbojem definitely not weird I get sad when I don't have it!

I'm upping my gym time at the moment as don't want to risk i jury so enjoying staying warm!

I've started with Greg though so have done a couple of easy runs hoping to get a longer one in tomorrow (if work stays quiet!)

Oooof a tough and muddy four miles this morning. Really slow (like back to before I started training in earnest). But lots of lovely blossom and bird song along the way to make me glad I was outdoors.

Managed my 'long' run but it's down to 5 miles. Still, good job as, ironically, I had my "period due" lead boots on today having mentioned it 2 posts ago.

Agree re blossom my neighbours down the road have something that's in full bloom and it smells GORGEOUS

I hear you @FusionChefGeoff with the lead boots!! I went out yesterday for a supposedly run but ended up stomping it out!! But the trees and flowers are starting to look beautiful

Recovery run for me today. Garmin Amy has lost confidence in me! I was right up in the purple on the wheel of confidence and I'm back in the green now. Not sure what I did to upset her as I got most of my intervals at right place yesterday and have actually run all the runs she wanted me to this week. Bah, she's a hard task master!
I did run today's slower than her pace as I ran partially off road and it was very slippery, plus her "easy pace" was def putting my heart rate too high.
Regarding lead boots just before period time - yes I get that too but on day 2-3 of period I'm unstoppable! I'm reading "Next Level" at the moment which is all about training during the menopause and the impact hormones have. The author has another book (Roar I think) which is about women of all ages and impact of cycle on training.

Garmin Amy has lost confidence in me! I was right up in the purple on the wheel of confidence and I'm back in the green now. Not sure what I did to upset her

I have no idea who Garmin Amy is, but I don't like her. She can bore off with her negativity! Maybe she's jealous of your slightly less virtual friends on this thread!

Hormones. I used to be able to recognise patterns or more often hindsight would allow me to understand why a run felt bad, but now I'm in perimenopause I have no idea. Since every single physical and mental issue from now until I die seems to be attributed to menopause I find it all rather boggling. I seem to fart more and am more angry!

Oh I've got a HM on Sunday. Yeah, that was stupid and I'll put me entering that down to menopause as well

@TheOrigRights in the nicest possible way I'm glad that someone else has this issues with hormones/menopause. I was starting to think it was only me!! It can do one as well, so I can run properly again!!

So I just read up about coach Amy and Greg. I didn't realise they actually were real people. I therefore withdraw my rude comments about Amy; I thought she was a bot.
I see my watch is compatible. Do you think if I sign up now I could get a PB on Sunday? 😀

Jokes aside I might have a look for other upcoming races.

I've just checked the race list and I don't think we have anyone up tomorrow (apart from me, but it doesn't count because Cambridge was my goal race).

It's definitely getting milder and lighter. If the darn rain would stop it might even be quite nice!

Hope you run well today @TheOrigRights.

Am just winding myself up to go and run 12 miles on not much sleep, tight calves and a sore toe. Not really feeling it, although I know I'll be fine one I'm out.

Nice and easy 10k for me today.
The downside with a half marathon race is that there is much more pressure on performing well on a set day. Compared to a 5k where you can churn them out every week and everything may come together on a day you hadn't planned for.

Just must not go off too fast!!! Nearly always my downfall!

@TheOrigRights hope your race was a good one today. Dry where I am this morning.

Well done @shamoola.

My 12 miles today was definitely mind over matter. I messaged DH with a mile and a half to go and he ran out to meet me for the last bit. But instead of jogging beside me making encouraging comments he ran off and I didn’t have the energy to chase him. I think I have found my ideal race food - a fruit flapjack that I bought at the cafe at mile 3. I had a small piece every 3 miles to keep me going.

DS1 did well in his sport yesterday so we are a tired but happy household.