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 did a trail half (22km) this weekend; it was an absolute mud bath! We had 2000ft of climbing which is 2000ft more than I'm used to!
I slipped on a hidden tree root under a shin deep pile of mud and pulled my calf at 7 miles. I hobbled to 11 miles then reduced to a walk/jog.

Lessons learnt- don't just run on the canal path (a bridge is not a hill)!
Fuelled and hydrated well
Stamina is good (run was 40mins longer than the road half I did a few weeks ago) so longest run in forever
Buy another set of trail shoes for mud (mine couldn't cut it)
Run more hills
Run a few more hills

I have 4 weeks until my 'bucket list' race so need to focus on swimming and cycling for a bit...after that, im hatching a mad plan!

Well done @brooksghost ! I was wondering how you had got on. Hope your calf will be OK. Glad your fuelling and hydrating worked.

@Cantdoitallperfectly - take it slow and steady and build up carefully. Might be worth trying run/walking as a strategy both for your training and you race. My run/walk pace isn't that much slower than my constant running pace, (and more successful than when I've run as far as I can and walked the rest).

I had an @shamoola-style run of two halves today, with a cafe stop in the middle for a juice and a flapjack. Also had a nice run yesterday evening, so 12 miles in total for the weekend. I volunteered at parkrun yesterday, then went swimming so it's been a good weekend.

Hope everyone is doing well - have a good week all!

@brooksghost well done on the trail half. Yes to hills, it's something I need to seek out too. I find the monthly Strava "run climbing challenge" good to motivate to take a few hills in. I have yet to do enough to gain the badge but one day!
@Cantdoitallperfectly sorry to hear about your back. Take it steady. Agree with @OhOneOhTwoOhThree walk run as a plan can be as quick as run if you do it from the get go, Jeffing it as they say. Just need to work out the run/walk strategy that suits you.

I had a great 10 miler with a friend. Why is it so much easier when you have company? Alone I'm looking at my watch and focussing on how much it hurts, how far still to go etc but chatting away the miles flew. Altho the cool but not windy conditions also helped, it was perfect run weather here today. My energy is sapped the minute it gets vaguely warm or humid. I've learnt warm or windy means I need more fuel and a lot of water.

I hear you on the hills @brooksghost! It's pancake flat where I work and do all my week time running, I have to really remember to get some hills in at home but I love our canal for the simplicity. I hope your calf isn't too sore today.

That's a great idea for the Strava challenge @Jumbojem!

shamoola's advice is spot on @Cantdoitallperfectly. It must be very frustrating but the worst thing to do now is to try and catch up on lost runs. Fingers crossed your back holds up.

@shamoola that's hard core for a DIY session - I like a good change of scene.

I bet that flapjack tasted good @OhOneOhTwoOhThree!

I volunteered and ran at parkrun Saturday- definitely got my hills in there. It felt strong but still not where I want to be on the pace side. I felt really light headed yesterday so turned my 60 minute run into a family walk instead. Which was lovely but I'm teetering on that 'should I force myself to go because I'll feel better versus listening to my body' debate too often recently. It was definitely the right call yesterday but I hope I can do what I planned this week.

Hope your week is going to plan @chutneypig Mine is not - I had an early start and late finish at work today, and another early start tomorrow. I am planning to go out at lunchtime, and am more likely to if I tell all of you of my plan. I have another late finish tomorrow, so can’t make a swim session either. Hoping to bunk off on Friday afternoon to make up for it.

I hope you get out at lunch today @OhOneOhTwoOhThree - it definitely helps get me out knowing I've told you all. Weeks like that are grim, so I hope you can get the time on Friday.

I did my steady state yesterday which felt good. I've got myself organised to run in to work today for an easy run. That could be a good pattern for me, plus I get to walk back as well, an improvement when I'm stuck in meetings all day.

Sounds good @chutneypig ! A great start and end to your day.

As luck would have it I have been awake for the last hour and could have been and gone and come back, but I left my running kit at work yesterday. So will need a lunchtime energy boost to get me through the afternoon.

Sorry lovely ladies, I slipped off the thread and you know tricky it is to catch up. I'll start by posting the race list. PLEASE update/add to as needed.

@JoanDarc : end of April

@Lamontaine : 7th May, Geneva

@Jumbojem : Weston-super-Mare, 14th May

@Cantdoitallperfectly : Edinburgh, 28th May

@SomeMonstersEatTelly : Royal Parks, 8th October
@Sammysquiz : Royal Parks, 8th October

Thanks @TheOrigRights

I'll add mine:

@JoanDarc : end of April

@Lamontaine : 7th May, Geneva

@Jumbojem : Weston-super-Mare, 14th May

@Cantdoitallperfectly : Edinburgh, 28th May

@chutneypig : Robin Hood, 24th September

@SomeMonstersEatTelly : Royal Parks, 8th October
@Sammysquiz : Royal Parks, 8th October
@chutneypig : Royal Parks, 8th October

Hope you managed to get out today @OhOneOhTwoOhThree. I'm definitely trying the run in/walk back thing again. I treated myself to a pint on the way back by way of positive reinforcement

Nice one @chutneypig !

My two hour middle of the day break turned into an hour and 10 after a meeting over ran so I only had time to run 2 and a bit miles instead of the 4 I planned but it was still good to get out. There are marathon signs all over central London this week.

I also had to run for the train tonight, which was harder than my earlier run! Made it as the doors were closing phew.

Oh my, a massive moment of madness!
I've just entered an Ultra!
Not an ultra ultra, but a mini-ultra of 50km.
I see the runners every year (course is almost on my road) and seen the signs up marking the course...so why not do it!
I'm thinking of it as a glorified food fest! 5 feed stations of tables laden with food! A mere 5 or so miles between picnics!
I'm not aiming for a time, just the challenge of finishing. I have run 2 marathons before, one 19years ago (3h40) and one about a year after my eldest was born (so about 17yrs ago) but that was 4h10ish. I need to find a pace that I can run at for hours as I expect I'll be out between 5 and 6 hours (OMG )
I have about 15 weeks to build up, though I need to get my triathlons out the way first.

Great stuff @brooksghost, we can swap 50k training tips. I shall be run/walking. No plans to jump in a car at any point.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65314241

@OhOneOhTwoOhThree Oh yes, I saw that article being discussed on a FB Ultra group...so many questions.

I've found a running program; I wanted a schedule that allows for 4 runs max a week (I'm 48 now and my body can't cope with daily running). I also wanted something that would not focus on massive mileage.
I don't want to get time focussed so just aiming to finish. I rode the route last week; it's relatively flat and I know about 20km of it really well which I think will help.

If it goes well, I'd love to do the Thames Path Ultra in September over 2 days...100km in a day just sounds bonkers!

Wonder if there is an Ultra page on MN?

Oh wow, good stuff entering the ultras! I love watching vlogs of ultras on YouTube, mainly ones in glorious mountain scenery, and dream of being able to do these events. Maybe one day!
I've lost my mojo for half training now the day is nearing! I've run more miles than ever but I don't think I'm any faster just less likely to fatigue from mile 9 than last year. I loved running Weston last year, fab weather, fab crowd support, ran chatting with a friend the whole race). Then did another half 6 weeks after intending to be faster but I was slower and it wasn't fun (hot, little crowd support). So I'm now telling myself to just run as best I can but to also enjoy it.
I have entered a local evening 10k in June though and am planning a trail half in September.
I'm looking forward to watching some of London mara on Sunday. Know a couple of people running and it's always emotional watching the non elites and hearing the stories.

Hi everyone, hope your weeks ended up how you’d planned. It’s not always easy to fit in the runs when work gets in the way.

Good call on the pint @chutneypig!

Wow @brooksghost - impressed by the ultra!

@Cantdoitallperfectly hope your back is feeling better now.

Did my last long run today - 12 miles. Was OK, felt my legs and feet at the end of it. It was a much hillier run than the half marathon so I’m hoping I am all ready and will get the time I am hoping for.

have a good weekend everyone!

I'm also in awe of the ultras, I love the idea, it does appeal more than a marathon. I saw the ultra/car incident made it on Have I Got News for you this week!

I often find that mojo slips at the end @Jumbojem. The mind is a funny thing. I definitely found the end stages this time were far more comfortable than usual, so I know it all paid off. But it didn't make me feel more spritely at the start.

That all sounds good @Lamontaine, the hill work sounds like it will pay off.

We've got a trail 10k today, looks a little soggy but it's a lovely event with a fantastic medal! Hope everyone enjoys their runs today.

After a week of feeling a rubbish I had a great long run today so have entered a half in Battersea Park (London) on the 13 May which will hopefully have better conditions than my last one.

Anyone tempted by a marathon after watching London?

@shamoola yes, so tempted having watched the London Marathon on TV.
I've never done London but DH ran it sometime around 2004. He didn't enjoy it as it was so crowded. DS watched some and said I should enter as it looks fun...
I'm now really tempted to do Paris as I last did it in 2004 so next year will be 20years since...plus I could get a weekend away!
Seeing all those runner raising so much money and hearing their stories is so inspirational. The ballot entry gives a minimal chance of getting in, so maybe a GFA at Paris and then London after that!

@brooksghost I've done Paris marathon - managed to get a hotel right near the start which makes a massive difference.

I did London in 2000 - I was not fit enough and the second half was miserable! I also enter the ballot every year but with little to no expectation of getting a place. But not sure I have enough of a desire to do another marathon that is not in my home town. To much effort.

A lady passed me when I had just finished my long run today with a virtual London mara number pinned on. It was on her back so she'd passed when I saw her but I bellowed good luck to her. Must be so hard to get out and do one without crowd support.
Ran part of my half mara course today with a friend, we did two loops taking in a couple of the (not massive) hills which are in the first few miles. She didn't fancy running the sand section after the overnight heavy rain and high tide! I ran several Strava segments faster than in last year's half despite not really pushing the pace at all which was a boost.
Coach Amy clearly dislikes me, gave me a 3% score for her scheduled run (I ran too fast) and has moved her confidence in me into mid way through the green when it had been in the purple. Decided she's such a frenemy!
I inadvertently got caught up in a Maverick trail race on the Mendips on Saturday. Had just got out the car with DS1 when they all started coming over the hill. We got back in to let them pass, then we discovered our intended run route would mean running with the mid distance runners so had to reroute a bit. It looked great fun and all sorts of paces and ages so def one I'll look out for next year.

@brooksghost
Good mara plan!

@Jumbojem I did a Maverick race recently; I was really impressed with the whole set up.
A huge range of running abilities in all of the three distances, great route signage, fantastic feed stations etc.
I'd definitely do another race with them in the future.

I've heard very good things about the Maverick runs. I already entered the ballot for London next year but no more optimistic than I have been in previous years.

Battersea sounds good @shamoola!

My trail run was hard going today. There are too many old military roads to wear trail shoes but the mud in the first sections was horrendous, not a stellar performance! But not my worst there so, swings and roundabouts . Signed most of the family up for another 10k locally that we've not done before next month. I love those for exploring areas you normally miss.

I've got a horrible blister on my heel from my DMs from Saturday, that didn't help today with wet feet.

Oooops!
I've just entered the London ballot!
It was free, nothing to lose...
...and I can always turn it down IF I get a place (unlikely).

I have a slightly dodgy calf muscle right now; I pulled it at the trial half last weekend and haven't run on it since. Rest, massage and stretching is helping but I'm keen to run again.

Hello everyone - life got a bit in the way of running over the last week but I am pleased to report that I went out for my usual 4 mile loop this morning and did my fastest ever time, so that was good.

I went into London on Sunday and my train and tube were full of excited marathoners and their supporters. Reminded me of NYC, where everyone travels by subway to catch the Staten Island Ferry to the start.

My ultra plan incudes 2 full marathon distance training runs, so I think that will be enough for me. If I can find events that coincide I will enter them as I suspect that will be easier than going out running for 4 or 5 hours on my own. fingers crossed for you balloteers! Having said that, the Norfolk Coastal Path mara/half mara is a couple of weeks after the Thames Path, and I do fancy having a go at that.

@shamoola Battersea Park sounds nice for a HM. @chutneypig hope your blisters are better. @Jumbojem glad I don't have a virtual coach! I'm sure the lady you saw out running appreciated your support.

@Lamontaine - I think you are next, hope your taper is going well