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 hardly dare ask, but what's the forecast like for the Half on Sunday?
The weather has been awful this week. I did a 10 mile long run this morning. The middle part was like being in a wind tunnel (long straight exposed lane). The first 3 miles I decided to try out some new to me footpaths. I know this week has been wet but I thought, how bad can it really be? Turns out pretty bad, at one point I was swinging on a gate which was basically in a pond and realised there was no way out than to just plunge into the ankle deep water. Decided I was wet by that point so might as well go for it!
What shoes are people wearing for their events? I bought new road shoes but they aren't comfy on longer runs. Do I buy more?! I love my trail shoes, even soaked they are comfy. Contemplating buying the road version (they are Nike Predators). I don't own any "speed" shoes.

Correction! My shoes are Nike Pegasus. Predator are the Football boots DS wants and I clearly got confused.

@Jumbojem shoe wise...I do all my races in my Nike Vaporflys.
Trail runs I have Brooks Catamounts which work well for the towpaths and parks. If I was to do more fell type stuff then I'd get something else with more grip.
All other runs are in my Brooks Ghosts. However, after about 9 miles they make my feet hurt so I may invest in something else if I decide on doing longer runs.

I had a nice easy 10km run on Tuesday, a disastrous run on Thursday...it was so bad that I deleted it off Strava! I had no energy and couldn't even run 2 miles. Today I just did an easy 20km spin on the bike.
My Garmin 'body battery' is really low and I'm utterly exhausted...had to have a nap this afternoon!
Tomorrow is a rest and eat day...then Sunday is my Half.

It's sunny intervals and a gentle breeze for me on Sunday - I'm hoping that holds true! I only realised looking at my last post that I didn't even do bodybalance today. Oops.

But I'm very much on top of the eating side

Our weather forecast is cold but dry for Sunday.

I had a lovely swim.. It rained all the way to the lake, drizzled as I was getting changed and then the sun came out and you could actually feel it on your back. Lovely!

@Jumbojem love the idea of you swinging on a gate and the puddles. I use my usual trainers - also Brooks Ghost for all my runs/races. I have two pairs on the go and try to rotate a bit. I have some trails but can't remember what they are - probably saucony. I ran in Triumphs for years, but over time they tweaked the design and they no longer suited me.

@chutneypig lots of eating here too!

@OhOneOhTwoOhThree I think my new road shoes might be Triumphs. They are def Saucony. My pair before were Brooks Ghost which are super popular and probably with good reason. I think I didn't size up enough in the Saucony so my foot gets tingly over 10 miles.
I am tempted to get Pegasus road shoes as the trail ones suit me so well. Not sure what OH would say though since I keep telling him off for buying more runners😬
Hope the cool and dry forecast holds good for those doing events on Sunday!

An email had just arrived with our final instructions for Sunday. As well as asking us to be in the car park for 8:30, it also says:

“The weather also means that some of the tracks are unusually damp. Even if it's not raining there is currently a lot of water running off the land especially through the wooded areas on Hambleton peninsula. It is no worse than dirty shoes in the wetter areas but we wanted to pre warn you about the conditions. The tracks are wetter than average.”

I can’t wait.

I have also looked at next week’s training plan (starting on week 4 or 5 of an 26 week ultra plan) and the runs seem so short compared to what we have been doing.

@OhOneOhTwoOhThree which Ultra do you have in mind? I'm pondering one for about 4 months time; I see the runners every year as part of the route is on my usual dog walking loop...so it seems appropriate to do that one! I'd love to do the Thames Path Challenge in September (100km over 2 day option) but that could just be my sleep deprived thoughts thinking it sounds great!
Enjoy your half even if it is slightly soggy.

That's a very helpful level of detail @OhOneOhTwoOhThree from the organisers. Is the route right around the water, or does it go inland a bit? I've cycled it in the past but not run anything other than parkrun there.

One of the guys at work was asking if I was interested in an ultra this year, I think something to do with the Thames path, but I can't help feeling I probably ought to do a marathon first. Although I think an ultra seems more appealing in some ways.

Here's to restful Saturdays @brooksghost and @OhOneOhTwoOhThree! I'm aiming for a walking amble round St Pancras this afternoon.

@brooksghost I’m doing the first half of the Thames Path Challenges, so only the 50k version. I was registered for last year but had to defer.

@chutneypig the training goes up to marathon distance so you don’t have to wait to do one, you just build it into the plan-I haven’t checked event dates yet but I think I’ll try to book a couple of full/half marathons to coincide with those bits of the plan. I’ve done RW patkrun as well, from memory the HM goes the other way around the water and on to a peninsula for a loop. Enjoy your amble this afternoon, we had a very good dinner at the St Pancras hotel recently, and there is the champagne bar in the station for after your run.

Off to patkrun to be bossy (I’m funnel managing - my least favourite job).

The store that I had £171 in loyalty points has gone into administration. ☹️

I hope everyone had a good race or training run today.
I'm home from my Half.
I should be pleased but I really hated every step of it. My hip flexors cramped at 2 miles and needed stretching out from mile

1. I've never had this before; my only explanation was that I was so cold at the start (15min walk to start from baggage drop) that I think I seized up waiting around.

So, a very painful, un-enjoyable 1:38 after several weeks of sky high stress. It's still a PB (last set 10yrs ago) so I should be pleased with that.

Crowds and street bands were amazing as was having our names on our race numbers- so many people shouting your name but being too exhausted to wonder if you really know them or not!

Well done @brooksghost and glad you got a PB even if it wasn’t enjoyable.

DH and I are also home. Both rather slower than you today! I had warned DH that it was hilly and trailly and not his usual surface and probably not great for his injuries (which prevent him from training properly) but he did it anyway, didn’t enjoy it at all and is a bit fed up with himself about his time. I on the other had decided to run/walk and all pretty much went to plan. If there were hills on my running sections I ran them, apart from 2 big hills in the last half mile where I knew I cloud walk up them faster than I could run. I was a bit faster than my last trail HM last year, which was as flat as a pancake so the training has definitely made me fitter and stronger. Just need to bite the bullet and work harder on speed, as the endurance is there. Big thanks to all for this thread, it’s been a great motivator.

@chutneypig hope all went well for you!

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it @brooksghost but I'm in awe of your time and how you dug in after the recent stresses.

Fantastic that it went to plan @OhOneOhTwoOhThree - sounds like real progress. How was the weather? It's so exposed there.

I enjoyed today. I knocked 3 minutes off my course time. I'm a way off my PB but wasn't expecting to be very close based on the last few weeks. I ran far more than I normally would so I'm definitely feeling the benefits in terms of endurance- like @OhOneOhTwoOhThree it's the pace I need now. The heart rate training has been great to get back into running routinely but I think I need pace based plans for the rest of the year.

That's so disappointing @TheOrigRights - very frustrating. I'm guessing no chance of any redress?

Well done to those that had a race today. Cold wind here today so I hope you weren't blasted by that.
I had a tempo session yesterday that I really struggled with, but a long slow run today with a stop for lunch which was much better.
For the first time in almost 5/6 month my Garmin tells me my training was productive!

@chutneypig the weather was OK, cold and windy, but we had some sun and no rain at all. The last time I ran there I there was the autumn HM a few years ago and I remember it being hot and sunny that day.

Did you take in all the landmarks or were you too busy running?

@shamoola i like the idea of a stop for lunch. My usual long route takes me past a cafe where I get a drink/snack for later/use the loo but that’s taking it to a new level.

Well done @chutneypig @OhOneOhTwoOhThree @brooksghost on your races. Phenomenal time @brooksghost esp as you weren't really feeling it.

6.5 miles should have been 7 but I was home and couldn't be bothered with the last .5! It was one of those bog standard runs but my first in shorts this year which feels like an achievement!

The weather is definitely on the upturn @Jumbojem - I'm so glad. I could have done with it being a touch warmer before the start yesterday but was very comfortable during the race.

I did manage to spot a fair amount on the landmarks front. They're very good at signposting the locations for the more obscure ones, although I'm sure the Pudding Lane sign was pointing the wrong way!

I like the lunch stop idea, breaking up a long run seems great, do you have to be a bit careful what you eat though @shamoola?

@chutneypig I had sushi so fairly light! A roast dinner is not advisable!!

Oh I don’t know @shamoola! Washed down with a nice glass of something.

Just looked at my stats for yesterday. Although I was happier than DH with my time than he was with his I was secretly wishing I’d been a minute or two faster. Turns out my GAP was quite a bit faster thanks to all the climbs, so that is pleasing.

How are your legs today @chutneypig and @brooksghost ?

Sushi makes sense!

My legs aren't too bad today, I managed a whole Bodybalance class at lunchtime. Nearly fell out of my car after I got to work though

Well done on your class @chutneypig ! I haven’t done much today, short run planned for tomorrow morning.

Yay to the run/cafe/run...sounds like my run a few weeks ago. I like the concept!

Yesterday, my calves and feet were fine but my hips keep seizing. I stretched, walked (shuffled), used the massage gun but they aren't easing. I might try an easy spin on the bike today to see if I can loosen them.

I do it all again in less than two weeks with a trail half. The aim is to run and enjoy the views...and support DH who is doing the 'short' trail run. It'll be my first trail race that I just want to do to see what it's all about. Pondering a half now for Sept/Oct time but not sure where yet.

I'm still feeling wiped out after Sunday. Legs feel a lot better so did an easy 20km on the turbo and then walked the dogs. Have spent the rest of the day feeling exhausted! Garmin body battery is saying 7%
At least I can walk down the stairs now without wincing!

10 days until I do it all again!
Maybe not my wisest choice, but it'll be fun...