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?

@TheOrigRights hope it went well today!
@OhOneOhTwoOhThree 12 miles sounds impressive.
I had a glorious sunny and mild 10 miler with a friend earlier. Didn't struggle too much but I know that last three miles will be tough come race day.

Lovely day here but I found my planned run a struggle and cut it short at 14km. My husband enjoyed it though - saw bits of the city he'd never seen before. Then we met the kids for coffee afterwards. I know I'm in better shape than I was the last two times I did London Landmarks so I've got to keep that in mind.

That flapjack sounds nice @OhOneOhTwoOhThree - I opted for fruit pastilles but they won't work on the day as they need a walking break.

I'm glad you both had a good run @Jumbojem and @shamoola

Looking forward to hearing about your race @TheOrigRights

Great work on all the long runs - seeing as I'm back at square one (well not really) with my race under my belt I feel a fraud with my 4 miles!

Did gym induction today so will be able to get a programme soon - hoping to mix up non impact cardio and strength training to reduce pressure on knees and future proof my body as much as possible.

@Jumbojem do you listen to music?? I keep meaning to do a 'final 30 minutes' playlist with all my best motivational tracks on - building to a sprint finish to something particularly banging. Try that for your final 3 miles.

Coach Greg has me doing my first challenge of Stride Repeats this week - no idea what they are so hope there's a video!

Hellooooo,

The race went well! I felt so much less anxious about it than Cambridge. I'd done well in Cam so I told myself I wouldn't give myself a hard time if I blew up.

I wasn't sure whether having done Cam 2 weeks before would mean I was in peak fitness or I'd be knackered.

I finished in 1:46 which I'm really pleased with. 26 seconds off the FV50 prize, but I gave it my all so don't think I could have caught her.

The course was lovely. Rural, all on road, undulating, good weather, nice marshals. A fairly small race - 272 people. Nice tea and cakes afterwards.

No more halves now, but I've just written all my upcoming races down and I have 16 between now and end July. These include a series of 5K and 5 miles races over the summer (all in the evenings which suits me well), 3 10Ks and a sprint Tri. I won't bang on about those on this thread, but am staying to support everyone else because you're all lovely and supportive.

I then move into longer distances in the Autumn.

Oh wow @TheOrigRights that is amazing! So fast and bloody well done on being so close to first in your category. I turn 50 this year (in denial presently tho) and you are giving me hope my best days aren't behind me. I only ran my first race last year.
Please do stick around, and let us know how your other events go. I'm fascinated by the range of events everyone finds to do.
@FusionChefGeoff a motivational playlist for the last 30 mins is a great idea! I didn't run with music last year as couldn't get on with headphones but I have shokz now which are much more comfortable and don't block out the sounds around you.

I looked back over my two half's last year and my pacing. It wasn't too bad in the first one but lost some time as needed the loo and slowed a bit in miles 9-11. The second one I went out with a faster friend and hung on for 5k. Obviously a massive mistake and by mile 6 the wheels had fallen off. Any words of wisdom on pacing strategies? I know negative splits are the dream but I feel like I'm the kind of runner who's better finding a good rhythm and then just settling in. Have been trying to finish my longer runs strong, so making the last couple of miles faster than the early ones.

@FusionChefGeoff I like the stride repeats and yes there is a video - I won't do it justice if I try. It really helped my sprint intervals. I'm planning on joining a gym near home now and doing a bit more strength work. I mostly do classes at the gym near work - the weights area is really intimidating.

Please do stick round @TheOrigRights! It's great to hear your experience- I'm certainly planning to stop the distance down too before my autumn halfs. Amazing time at the weekend - brilliant work!

I've not got any good advice on the pacing side @Jumbojem - I usually wing it. But I'm not a shining running example

Tempo for me this morning and mixed intervals tomorrow. Trying a new parkrun Saturday so hopefully that'll give me a good idea where I am fitness wise.

Great run @TheOrigRights, well done!

I had a week out due to sickness, happy to have been back out on Sunday for 13k and then this morning for 8k. Doing a lot of hills which I hope will help my pace for my half which is pretty flat. Only 7 weeks to go now! Should probably try doing some more interval training and sprints this week…

I looked back over my two half's last year and my pacing. It wasn't too bad in the first one but lost some time as needed the loo and slowed a bit in miles 9-11. The second one I went out with a faster friend and hung on for 5k. Obviously a massive mistake and by mile 6 the wheels had fallen off. Any words of wisdom on pacing strategies? I know negative splits are the dream but I feel like I'm the kind of runner who's better finding a good rhythm and then just settling in. Have been trying to finish my longer runs strong, so making the last couple of miles faster than the early ones.

You have great awareness of your strengths and weaknesses. Never mind what any plan or friends tell you - set your goals (gold, silver and bronze), see what you need to do to achieve them, and make a plan which gives you leeway to see how you (and the weather) are on the day.

Personally, when I'm feeling uncertain I prefer to start off more slowly, nearer the back and (as you say) settle into the run. There is nothing sweeter than passing the people who started too fast (I can only say such mean things because it happens to me often enough!).

Stopping for the loo can impact your overall time, not just for the time you stopped, but getting back into your stride. Was that an unusual thing or is it something you can try and prevent happening?

Well done everyone on their runs and races.
Running has had to take a back seat over the last week. Today, I decided I needed to make a decision on whether to defer my race entry or just run it. I ran a 10 miler which was ok but I'm not confident for the race in 12 days. I've stupidly put pressure on myself for a time but I know that's probably out of reach now. Just tired by it all and completely stressed with DC related issues. Running is meant to be my stress reliever but it's currently not touching the sides.
I know I should just run the half and enjoy it but with everything going on right now, I would just like some thing to give me a boost.

ghost I'm so sorry life has got in the way of your running. It makes me sad and cross when that happens, as if wanting, needing and enjoying that time is too much to ask.
That internal shall I/shan't I is wearying, too, and I think comes hand in hand with the personality type that makes you a good and competitive runner in the first place. Whatever you decide you do need to make peace with that decision.

For me when I've had to make the decision as to whether to race or not, the best outcome has been to run it, but not race it. I think that has more pros overall than not doing it at all. I've sometimes paced someone to their own PB, or I've used the race as a run to work on my form or (if nothing else) just get the miles under my belt.

I hope things settle for you soon.

Sorry to hear things are stressful @brooksghost. I agree with @TheOrigRights if you can just run it for enjoyment then do that, pressure free. Personally I think I'd get FOMO on the day unless I'd deferred for injury. But you probably know your own mind best as to how you'd feel.

@TheOrigRights thanks for the sensible thoughts on pacing. Definitely going to start slower and not get carried away.
The boost of passing people in the race later is great. I also know from personal experience how demoralising it is to be passed by group after group in the later miles.

@brooksghost definitely run just don't race. I was undertrained for my race so massively reduced my aim (I just wanted to finish faster than the first half I ever ran)

Then I enjoyed a lovely Sunday run, with my music and waving at people / high fiving kids / stopping to help others who needed a boost at the end (that bit was AMAZING).

So much better than sitting at home feeling sad / watching other people race.

@Jumbojem there MUST be an online calculator somewhere you can play with slower then increasing pace to get an overall race time?? I'd find that helpful / reassuring if I was starting slower it would avoid the temptation to shoot off and then set your final 3 miles at your 'stretch' pace??

Thanks everyone! The plan now is to just go and run it...and enjoy it. The thought of trying to run fast is adding (unnecessary) pressure that I don't need right now.
Had a bad morning with DC so forgot the idea of intervals and just went for a run. As I was running, I had a great idea of running to a Costa Coffee, having cake and coffee and then running back...so I did! It was a really nice 7 mile run with an injection of caffeine and sugar at half way. Why haven't I thought of doing this before when pre-run mornings are hard going? Anyway, will do this more often as it was well needed. 700 calories burnt- 300 cake calories consumed!

ghost do you know, I think my nearest Costa is about 3 1/2 miles away......

Well that would as the crow flies i.e. across the fields, which I do now and again (when the car is in the garage). Off road is not nice at the moment though. The nice road route (i.e. not the main road) would be more like 5 miles.

I'm so pleased you've made a decision about the race. Running brings us many things and right now it sounds like for you it's giving you well earned time out from daily stresses. I had periods where I've done angry running. It doesn't change anything, it just makes you better able to cope with things and not kill people

Look after yourself.

@brooksghost glad you had a good run and have a plan for the weekend.
@FusionChefGeoff I need to play about with the Garmin as I'm sure there's a feature that shows predicted finish time if you set the distance so that could help manage pace.

Thursday's are my speed repeats. Absolutely horrific today, it started to pour with rain when I was doing the first interval and continued for the entire run. Legs felt like lead and just couldn't hit pace. To be honest I'm proud of myself for not bailing!

Also had a run in the horrid rain and gusty wind. We are hard core, and have soft skin now

@Jumbojem well done on resetting expectations rather than abandoning a tough session. I often have to remind myself consciously to slow down rather than stop

I'm glad to hear you've got a plan now @brooksghost - sounds like a rough time. I love the cake and coffee concept! I'll be adopting that too.

I'm with you on my interval run yesterday @Jumbojem - the first section was fine then it all went to pot and I nearly cut it short. I didn't, so quite pleased with myself on the mind over matter front. I'm less pleased on the pacing side - the middle interval was 5 minutes in zone 3. I only hit what is theoretically my goal race pace and could barely manage that.

I'm not in my best shape but this is the most consistent I've been in training, mostly thanks to you lovely lot. I don't think a PB is on the cards but I'm hoping for a course best. The first time I did it I'd been in hospital 10 days before and had only run 8k in total the previous month. But the atmosphere was great and I did enjoy it, although it's by far my worst time ever. I was really going for it in 2020 but it was postponed of course so I ended up running in heat in August. There's definitely space to improve!

Hello all.

Sorry to hear that you have been having a tough time @brooksghost but good to see you now have a plan.

Well done to those of you who ventured outside yesterday. I ran ion Tuesday morning which was OK, missed Weds and Thurs because life got in the way and have just had a very slow jog which felt awful but means any future outings can only get better. My right knee and left calf were both hurting at different times and I couldn’t catch my breath. Oh well, the fresh air and sunshine will have done me some good.

Hi all, just catching up on all the posts. Well done to everyone on the running. Unfortunately my back injury has reappeared, my own fault in a way - had stopped yoga and stretching (no time which is such a lame
excuse really). Anyway, I’m hobbling about and have not run in 10 days which is disappointing as I had got up to 11 miles. I’m hoping it’ll ease soon but from past experience it can take up to 3 weeks for it it resolve. I had hoped to do a sub 2 h time but that’s not looking possible now. I’m going to reframe it and think of this as a set back but to aim for another half in sept and smash the training for that!

Well race is Sunday and I'm really not feeling it

• weather forecast says 100% chance of rain
• clocks go forward so have to get up an hour earlier for what already would have been an early start.
• period started today

I am hoping that I find my mojo by Sunday!!!

Good luck @shamoola It will hopefully all come together on the day. Have a great run!

I loved my coffee/cake run yesterday so spent some time today plotting routes that would include a (decent) coffee stop! I have 3 so far including a 14miler!

Parkrun tomorrow for me; it's going to be a muddy one at my local so the aim will be to stay upright rather than run fast. I'll run there and back to add in a few extra miles.

Did my first river swim of the year.
10 mins swimming assisted by the current. 2 hours to warm up! I need to fine tune my post swim routine.

I hope your knee and calf have settled down @OhOneOhTwoOhThree. Likewise your back @Cantdoitallperfectly - it's difficult to got things like yoga in even when you know you should. It's always the first thing to slip for me.

Good luck tomorrow @shamoola - hoping the winds have settled down for you, even if it's wet.

I'm deeply inspired by the mid run coffee and cake idea @brooksghost. I try and sort it for after a run, but that definitely mixes it up.

Well done @TheOrigRights - I'm fascinated to hear about the tri training!

parkrun tourism for me this morning, I need a change of scene. Then 6ish miles tomorrow - should be 10 but not feeling it. I think a fairly easy week is in order pre half.