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?

Hi Everyone!
It's all been a bit busy here with A-level results...and now we're prepping for Uni....eeek!
Running wise- ticking over nicely, but haven't really done much since the Ultra 4 weeks ago.
However, just won my first national title at triathlon and have a massive gold medal to show for it. After 20 years of being out of triathlon, I've decided to make a return to it so have been talking with a coach; we start in a few weeks once school/Uni starts up. Im quite excited by it all.

Good luck to all those with races coming up...and the Ultra next weekend. I hope it all goes to plan.
I've got a few trail runs lined up for the coming months so will up the running again soon.

That's amazing brooksghost! Well done!

Wow @brooksghost that’s fantastic to think you have done all that on your own as well. Congrats on A levels as well!

Well done @BogRollBOGOF I mostly Jeff although I’m trying to join up my running sections a bit more.

Had a nice slow 8 mile trail run along the coast this morning. Bit cooler here too which is nice.

@OhOneOhTwoOhThree not long to go now, you’ll do brilliantly I am sure. I definitely recommend the triathlon, it’s good fun. I will rent a bike next year for the sprint. And I’ve gotten over the shouty man. I guess he was also worried he’d run into me.

talking of triathlons - absolutely fantastic @brooksghost! well done!!

Well done on the triathlon @Lamontaine, fantastic work. I'm sorry it was marred by that man but also glad you've put it behind you. When is your race? Sounds exciting.

I'm sure all the consistent effort you've put in @OhOneOhTwoOhThree will pay off. And that's lovely to hear your DH is so supportive. It's a struggle keeping going over summer.

Just when I think I can't be more in awe @brooksghost you top it again. That is an amazing achievement, simply brilliant. Hope the uni prep is going well.

Great going @BogRollBOGOF, I do like jeffing, so good for getting the miles in.

I've continued to be a bit erratic but think I have something of an explanation now. I had a blood test done and my vitamin d levels are low. I've had issues with this in the past and supplement every day but I guess the work pressures mean I've just not been out enough. A vicious circle - the doctor said not being in the optimal range could affect my motivation to exercise and speed and stamina. So I'm upping my supplements and aiming to get out more.

I'd like to do Robin Hood so I'm going to keep to 3 miles or so over the next couple of weeks, several times a week. And also do runs that make me happy. I've done a fair bit of parkrun tourism over the summer which has been lovely. We were away last week and I did a cliff top run with my son and our new dog. I feel pretty strong, so think all the strength work is paying off, just nothing in the tank.

Well done on the recent triathlon achievements @brooksghost and @Lamontaine.

Is anyone doing Great North Run next weekend?

I'm tapering. Got a preface massage tomorrow, and just a few more short runs, until the big day!

Hello all!
I'm back after a break, 3 weeks with no running and a bit longer with no posting.
@brooksghost amazing with the gold medal!
@Lamontaine well done on the triathlon!

@OhOneOhTwoOhThree good luck for the weekend! You've trained consistently from what I've read so sure it will pay off.
Hope everything else is doing ok? I ran 2 miles when I got home and it was horrific, everything hurt 🤣 went for a hot sticky run with a friend tonight which turned into more of a walk.
I may be doing cross country this autumn. Not sure how I feel about it too be honest. I'll def be the slowest in the team, but it might be fun?!

Thank you all for the good wishes. It's going to be very hot this weekend so I will be taking it very slowly. I've followed the plan and done almost all the recommended training run, so there's nothing more I can do now!

Good luck @OhOneOhTwoOhThree
Hydrate really really well.
The training is done, the miles run...just keep drinking!

Good luck @OhOneOhTwoOhThree ! I am sure you will smash it.

and good luck to you too @xsquared , have a great run!

Will do @brooksghost. I've been drinking loads of water all week, and have just eaten a delicious slice of cake. Which reminded me that I need to go to get some flapjack tomorrow to take with me on Saturday.

Just checked my Garmin and I have managed to run over 600 miles since the HM at the beginning of April - which was why I originally joined this thread. Thanks for keeping me company!

Sorry @xsquared I missed your post. Hope your GNR goes well.

Have they got a good number of support stations @OhOneOhTwoOhThree? I'm guessing there'll be some shade at least and hopefully som breeze off the water. We'll all be rooting for you!

Good luck @xsquared - it'll be an experience and a half!

I hear you on the sticky runs @Jumbojem. I was planning on going out early with the dog but I think I'll go for a walk and get a run in at the gym later with their lovely air con.

Thank you @chutneypig, @Lamontaine and @OhOneOhTwoOhThree for your good wishes.

It's going to be a hot one, more so than last year, so probably no pb this time, but the atmosphere is always good.

Back to term time and long runs are back. 😁 All my runs this week have involved pouring sweat. It's felt good to be back in routine and mix things up again.

I took my crisps out today and still needed to drink some salty stock afterwards

There are three rest stops at 17, 29 and 37km. Plus, as I found out on my recce runs, plenty of riverside pubs and cafes if I need to nip in and buy a drink. Hopefully an cream van or two as well 😄

Well done @BogRollBOGOF for doing long runs in this heat. I have enjoyed a week off this week, just a short run yesterday.

Good luck to all the runners this weekend. I hope everything goes to plan.

I'm off to my 99th parkrun (it's taken 10 years to get to this point)!
I had another good triathlon result last weekend and picked up another national medal (silver this time).
I start with a coach next week so am quite excited by that.
DH wants to join me on a few trail races so I'm looking at races where there is a longer option and a shorter option for him; I normally go alone to races so it'll be strange having someone with me!

Good luck @xsquared for GNR! I have a friend doing it and not looking forward to the heat. One to just finish and enjoy this year. Although hopefully cooler from tomorrow?
I went out for an early run, it was really murky/misty. Stopped at the top of the hill for a breather and saw someone break out of the mist running after me. Thankfully it was only OH, I didn't know he was heading the same way as me and he caught me taking a breather!
I was going to unpause the Garmin Coach 5k plan post holiday, but actually after a year of trying to follow various "plans" it's really liberating to just go out and run whatever I fancy. I do look at the "daily training" suggestions on the watch and if it ties in with the time I had then may choose it, but I may not! I will force myself to do some of the interval/speed workouts but at the moment I feel trying to get better in the hills more pleasant and rewarding.
TLDR - I think I've found my mojo again🤣😄

How did you get on @OhOneOhTwoOhThree. I was thinking of you at parkrun, it was hot enough scanning!

Best of luck today @xsquared - enjoy!

Crisps are the best after a run @BogRollBOGOF , always like to see them after a race.

Silver! Fantastic @brooksghost. How did you go about finding your coach?

Good news on the mojo @Jumbojem - I love a misty run but that would have made me jump!

I'm off to the gym for a treadmill run. The heat hasn't helped this week so I've played it safe given how ropey I'm feeling. I've kept up the strength work though and I'm enjoying that.

Good morning @chutneypig.

it was really hard. So, so hot and no shade for much of it. Quite congested in places. But I finished!

The first 10 miles were OK, I was more or less on plan (I was run walking it and just made sure that I was keeping the runs to a reasonable pace). I was planning to breeze through the rest stops but I ended up having a bit or a sit down at each of them. After the first rest stop it was just pavement and no shade so I started walking more and more, and trying to run when there were shady bits. I don’t like isotonic drinks but ended up taking on quite a lot at the rest stops and filling up my bottle to take with me to the next stage as I was conscious of how much I was sweating. I think they helped, as I stayed hydrated throughout but I ended up feeling quite bloated. I enjoyed an ice cream from one van, and a lolly from another, ate loads of crisps and fruit and a bit of flapjack and had a grand day out.

Part of me is really disappointed that it didn’t go to plan and that I spent far more hours than expected out of the course on my feet yesterday. Another part of me is just relieved that it’s all over. And another part of me is really proud of all the training I’ve done, that I turned up and did the whole thing in the hottest day of the year.

The whole thing was really well organised. Friendly staff and participants and a great vibe.

@OhOneOhTwoOhThree
That's brilliant to even have finished it in the heat yesterday. Congratulations, I hope you have a quick recovery from it.
So, what's next? Another one? Tempted or like me, never again?!

It sounds like you were very sensible @OhOneOhTwoOhThree - I'm not a fan of isotonic drinks either, but I know how much I sweated doing very little yesterday. So glad you finished in that heat! Being able to adjust must be a huge part of ultras. Hope you're not too sore today and are enjoying more well deserved ice cream!

I’m in the never again camp at the moment! parkrun is plenty far enough for the next few weeks.

Well done @OhOneOhTwoOhThree on your ultra yesterday.

I think to have completed it is a major achievement in itself, and even more so on the hottest day of the year! How are you feeling today?

Great North Run went okay, but I was never expecting to get a pb in this heat, even though at times I thought I could have done. However, by mile 9 I was losing the average pace required for my original target, so I just focused on finishing without fainting!

Well done to you too @xsquared! What a weekend to be out running eh?

I'm feeling OK today - tired but OK. I have a bit of chafing, and a couple of blisters that I didn't notice yesterday. DH and I went for a walk this afternoon to try to keep me moving.

Hope you have a good recovery - do you have anything else planned?