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?

Legs were still sore from a 10km trail race at the weekend so cut my run short. I should also have eaten breakfast as the last mile wasn't pleasant!
5.5miles at a steady pace on road (which probably didn't help the legs)!

Well done both for getting out - I deferred my run to tomorrow between the rain and tired legs from yesterday.

Fuelling morning runs is always a struggle I find. Processed carbs don't really agree with me but i need something. What's everyone's go to? When the panettone has run out I mean!!

Hello fellow half marathoners!
I've signed up for one at the end of March. I have not done one for years as I have been mainly focused on 5ks.

I am going to follow a coaching plan with Garmin as it was great for improving my 5k time - lots of variation and challenging me to sessions I would never have done without it.

I have a 10k on Sunday to get done first then off we go!

I've tried a few things for morning runs from triple espresso to only protein (Quorn slices and cheese) to toast to Belvita biscuit things.
I need to try bananas next.
I can get away with about 4 miles without breakfast but need something for longer runs.
For Parkruns, a good bowl of porridge is my staple.

@24petlegs I'm also a porridge fan, or toast and coffee. I can go for about 45 minutes without food if I don't have time to eat before I go out. My old running buddy swore by peanut butter on crackers for a pre-run breakfast.

@chutneypig hope you get out tomorrow! I'll be out again in the morning, my plan has me running 5x a week but mostly shortish runs.

My Garmin arrived today!! Anyone want to give me some hints and tips of how I use it to help me in the nature of this thread please?

Hello, I’m in too! Training for my first half at the beginning of April.

@TheMindfulMum the Garmin Coach programme is really good - if you download the Garmin App you can set it up there. There’s a really useful Facebook group called Garmin Coach Runners Community which I found helpful too.

I really stick to the programme it sets, far more than I stick to a written plan. I feel I have to obey my watch!

Brilliant! Thank you so much. I'm off to have a look

45 minutes walk- jog today. 4.1 km. Rain doesn’t scare me.

Well done! I'd be so pleased if I could achieve that by the end of Jan! Due to go out tomorrow night. Telling myself the rain won't phase me...

That’s the spirit @Turefu!

Dry here this morning and warmer than yesterday so I overheated a bit. I ran yesterday‘a route in reverse and took a minute off my time (not much of achievement, as I was super-slow yesterday even by my standards).

@Sammysquiz @TheMindfulMum
I agree Garmin Coach is great. I followed coach Greg for 5k and 10k and will now pick him for the half. You can chose a plan that targets a time or one just to complete it.

It's the speed work side of things that I'd never done before that make a big difference. Do let me know which coach programme you pick would be interesting to see how they differ.

I do most of my training before work so it will be interesting to see whether I can squeeze them in when the distances get longer.

Just go out there.

The conditions are rarely ideal, and you will have to endure the discomfort in order to get used to it, if you plan to keep up the habit of running.

It was pelting down here this morning so I saved my run for lunchtime - intervals. It didn't go entirely to plan, I loaded the wrong session onto my watch so had longer intervals than I thought. Set off too fast! Then my vibration alerts didn't seem to be working so I missed part of the last interval. I'm glad I got out there and definitely felt better for it. Until I went to my Bodycombat class and I felt it then!

@xsquared I did! got out tonight for a walk/jog. Was out an hour and did 4.8k which I was amazed about. It didn't feel that long!

Brilliant @TheMindfulMum, enjoy the glow!

Well done! It will get easier over time and consistency really is key.

Yes I think routine is the winner here. Positive mindset. Don't see it as exercise, see it as me time!

Well done runners! I have another run tomorrow morning - off to get my kit ready so I'm not banging around in the dark looking for socks.

Me time is exactly the way to look at it @TheMindfulMum. It got to the stage my husband would boot me out of the house for a run as he knew it would clear my head.

Hope you have a good run this morning @OhOneOhTwoOhThree. I admire your dedication. I don't mind dark and cold morning runs but dark and wet... nasty.

I've got a hill reps session next week. Where I am in the week is very flat, I'd have to go miles for a hill. I don't want to do one Saturday because of my long run Sunday so I was wondering about the treadmill at the gym. Anyone think that could work?

@chutneypig do we share a husband? Mine is also very good at pointing out when I need to go for a run.

I sympathise with your lack of hills, it’s pretty flat where I am too. The treadmill sounds like a good option, or maybe one of those stair climber machines that some gyms have?

Another three miles this morning, drizzle for the last 10 minutes but I wasn’t too far from home by that point. Good me time as I have a busy work day ahead.

@chutneypig @OhOneOhTwoOhThree
Mine too!! Are we in a thruple?!?! 😂😂😂
I love his support though. If I don't go he wouldn't make me feel bad. He'd make me a brew and chuck me a KitKat 🥰

Great to hear there's so much support out there for us! It's a well established fact in our house that we're all a lot happier if my son has been to parkrun on a Saturday- he definitely needs to run off energy. Although he loves running he's 15 now so not very inclined to get up any more. But he's a very good running buddy for my long runs.

I'm planning a morning run tomorrow - like you say @OhOneOhTwoOhThree good me time before a busy day.

Forgot to say @OhOneOhTwoOhThree that the stairclimber is a genius idea. I've never tried it before but will give it a go if I can get on one. It's been busy at the gym this week