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?

Sorry all, I hadn't realised quite how long it has been since I posted, it's been a stressful couple of weeks so I've lost track a bit.

I'm in awe of everyone's hills and hot runs, well done! I'm literally just plodding along but getting out there which is the main thing,

Plodding and getting out's plenty at this time of year!

I've started adding back in some
100m sprints into my running; it's been so long since I did any form of intervals but I enjoyed it and am really happy that there are no leg/hip issues.

We're off to my mums village fun run tomorrow evening- 5 miles of trails which should be fun...apart from the river crossing at the end!

I did a triathlon last week (first proper one in 18yrs) and did far better than I expected. I even picked up a qualifying spot for the World Champs next year so now pondering whether to switch back to triathlon...once the Ultra is done. Long run this weekend, I'm aiming for 20miles. If that goes well, then I'm confident that the Ultra will be doable.

Oh wow, well done @brooksghost, fantastic!

That's amazing! Well done!

Wow @brooksghost! That is truly phenomenal, well done!

Good grief @brooksghost what an amazing performance! Huge well done.

Fantastic performance @brooksghost ! Something to aspire to 😁

Anyone else just feeling knackered?
I'm only training currently for a 5k using the Runna App, which is really good but goodness me it's hard work. I'm feeling much more tired doing this then I did for the half marathon!

Today was the longest run of the plan at 16k but I struggled with the pace and it basically ended up being a 16k threshold run. Which now means I can hardly keep awake.

Now into the plan's last two weeks and looking forward to the taper before the race!

I'm definitely feeling far slower now than I did earlier in the year @shamoola. I always struggle in summer but it feels worse this year. I've had a lot of stress which can't have helped but I've kept up with 3 runs a week so I'm in a better position than I was last year. I'm hoping some runs with my dog will keep me motivated.

@shamoola yes, me! I'm worn out with this blooming ultra training. So I skipped a bit this weekend - I followed the plan with 5 miles on Tuesday, then went off piste with a 1km outdoor swim on Weds instead of a 6 mile run. Did the 6 miles on Friday morning instead (which I really enjoyed - on trails in a local country park).

Yesterday was just parkrun, although the plan said 7 miles, and today's 14 mile run became a 7 mile brisk walk on my own this morning and another 4 mile stroll with DH this afternoon. DH has had a head cold for the last 10 days, which he has kindly shared with me over the weekend - I am not too ill but had a very sore throat all night and didn't think it wise to run today. I was ill in the run up to the Edinburgh marathon last year but tried to power through and made myself worse.

This week's plans include a couple of runs and a swim. Lots going on at work so fitting it all in will be a challenge.

@chutneypig sorry to hear that life is stressful for you at the moment - I hope it passes and some dog runs help.

Hello all!
@brooksghost wow! A place at the world champs sounds amazing. Big kudos to you!
@chutneypig
Hope things get better for you soon, @OhOneOhTwoOhThree you to 6 with the head cold.
I think I'm with everyone else in just hanging in there over the summer and fitting running in when I can. My mileage has dropped right down and the graph on Strava showing my fitness going up and up which I loved when training is now a very steep dip down which I'm not loving quite as much!
Not following any kind of plan at the mo, or have any events planned so think I'm drifting a bit. We're going to the Pyrenees on holiday and taking bikes so actually starting to panic more about that at the mo. Haven't cycled since last summer and I need to get my brakes fixed. I really don't enjoy cycling tho!

Thanks everyone.

I'm now down to 3.5weeks until the Ultra. I ran 20miles on Sunday which didn't feel too bad. I managed to end my run at a Tescos so I promptly bought all the snacks and then got the train back home. 3 hours of running yet only 20mins by train!
I think I feel ready. I've trained in all my gear, experimented with different foods which all helps, trained at a sensible pace that I feel I can sustain etc.
I've started telling a few people about it which, for me, is a good sign that I'm going to get on the start line and do it...and finish it.

How are you doing @brooksghost ? Can't be long now.

I managed one very slow run last week, the cold got worse so I decided to be sensible and skip a couple of runs. I walked 19 miles on Sunday - not sure sure how I managed it but I did, and was feeling well enough for a slow 6 this morning.

@OhOneOhTwoOhThree well done on the 19 and then the 6!
I have 2.5 weeks to go.
I did my last long run today- a 17 miler. I've now done 2x17 and a 20 plus an assortment of 10-15 miles.
I ran today's 17 far faster than expected and at a pace that I won't be able maintain for 50km but it was a boost to know I can add some speed in.
I feel as ready as can be; I'm happy with my food and drink on the run and am looking forward to a bit of a taper now!
The aim is still to finish and enjoy it, no time pressures or aiming for anything except the finish line.

That sounds like you're in great shape @brooksghost and in a very good head state too. Can't wait to hear how it goes.

I hope you're feeling better @OhOneOhTwoOhThree. It must be very frustrating but moderating your plans has got to be sensible.

I'm going to try for a 5 mile this morning. We were away at the weekend so got in my first international parkrun. It was very hot, so lots of walking. I picked up a nasty insect bite and it blistered, so I have rested a bit. Hopefully it'll be ok this morning. I'm an insect magnet and they've messed with my half training before.

@chutneypig hope the bite is getting better. I'm an insect magnet too, especially ticks and mosquito.
How did park run abroad compare?
@brooksghost training sounds like it's going well. Enjoy the taper!
@OhOneOhTwoOhThree hope you're feeling better.

After a few weeks of barely running (about 5 miles a week, not even in one run!) I'm back on the Garmin Coach Greg 5k plan. Did sprint intervals the other day and loved them. Just seeing the paces I hit, even if only for a little while, was such a boost. I'm excited to have the mile timetrail coming up. Although I think it's down for Sunday and I was thinking about doing park run (with a storm forecast!) tomorrow.
Who has autumn events booked? I'm itching to book something so I have a goal. Now I know most of the dates for DS XC etc I feel I can see what fits. Probably a 10k and will try to rope a friend in!

Did you make it to parkrun @Jumbojem? Its good to hear you're enjoying the Garmin plan - agree it's good to have autumn plans. I've got a couple of halfs booked and I'm hoping that's going to get me out of the door this morning.

It was interesting seeing a parkrun abroad. It was very small and very welcoming, had the briefing in English as well. They doubled up on a lot of roles and had no marshals. The course was very well marked. Very enjoyable.

I'm currently doing 5 miles this morning - an hour to go to not talk myself out of it. Need yo buck my ideas up as my VO2 max has gone down again.

Hi everyone! @brooksghost you sound very ready for the ultra 😀

@chutneypig where was the international park run?

well done @Jumbojem ! how is your skin now? I have also had some time off but have been back out on it for the last 2 weeks. Am on coach Greg’s half marathon plan in prep for my races in October. Did a few horrible uphill runs in super hot temps recently but last week I was running on flatter terrain and it was wonderful! Have to get back on the hills now but a break was very welcome 🙃

@Lamontaine is it very hot out there or are you north enough to avoid the worst? Good luck with the hills.
My shin is ok if I don't run consecutive days, ideally 3 runs a week with the odd 4 run week. Trying to do strength but it's not happened much. I am pretty consistent with yoga though at least.
@chutneypig I did not make parkrun. OH didn't want to do it, I grumbled about it and he decided he would. Then the car wouldn't start! At least we found out before we actually needed to be somewhere and could spend the morning waiting for AA. Thankfully all fixed now.
How did your 5 miles go?
My Garmin went to "productive" for one day after my speed intervals but is now back to "maintaining". I really struggle to train at aerobic level. I feel like I'm really pushing it and when I get back and look at my results it says "tempo", even when it is very much a pace I could not hold for any real length of time. Am I not pushing hard enough, could my heart rate zones be wrong?

Hello everyone. Hope you are all doing well. Great to hear that autumn planning has started for some. I can’t think beyond September and the ultra.

Good week last week, 6 miles of trails on Tuesday, 6 miles around my parkrun park on Thursday, 7 miles of mixed trails and path on Saturday and a monster 21 miles yesterday. Strava said it was historic effort 😄. I took water and a flapjack and stopped for an iced coffee and another flapjack at 15 miles. Very slow indeed in places but am still walking today. Also swam 1km on Saturday evening.

Great to hear about international parkrun tourism @chutneypig. Well done on keeping up with the yoga @Jumbojem. I lost momentum after the January thread and never really started again. Hope it is not too hot where you are @Lamontaine

@Lamontaine it was in Rome, beautiful views on the course but it was very very warm. Hills do pay off but I agree they're rough in heat!

@Jumbojem my sympathies on the disrupted parkrun! I know exactly what you mean with the high aerobic, I get exactly the same. I have a feeling it looks across the whole run and not the heart rate in interval segments.

I didn't quite make it to five miles as the Thames path got a bit treacherous from the recent rain. I did enjoy it although it was very slow. There are a few bridges on that route and I got stuck behind some walkers a few times. Definitely good to get out.

Hello all, hope everyone is doing well and had a good week.

I managed 1 mid week run instead 2, but it was very nice. Yesterday was parkrun and a few extra laps to make up distance, and today I went out for 23 miles. Had to walk most of the last one as I just had nothing left in the tank. As part of my fuelling strategy I had a rather nice strawberry ice cream at the furthest away point, 15.5 miles into the run - very nice indeed!

We'll done on the 23 miles @OhOneOhTwoOhThree - love the fuelling approach! How far are you off the event now?

Hi @chutneypig - 7 and a half weeks to go. I ran my final leg of the route yesterday. Quite daunting to think that I will have to do it all in one go rather than 6 sections 😀. Only 2 big runs left, as in over 20 miles. I never thought that I'd consider 15 miles "short", so have clearly lost my marbles.

Oh well done @OhOneOhTwoOhThree !
I made it to park run this weekend, and got a small gain on my PB (a PB is a PB though, right?!).
Sat here putting off doing goal pace 5 X 1k repeats. Just feel like it's going to be horrific, and if that wasn't enough the plan then has 3 X sprint intervals to round it off. I intended to go first thing this morning but I over slept and it was raining. Excuses excuses!