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 would die a bit if anyone heard my playlist! I love a bit of musical theatre.
Your story reminds me of when my sis didn't realise her headphones weren't plugged/paired. She was having a splendid time listening to the Buble on the bus. Her and the rest of the top deck!

I have done about 4 parkruns ever. If DS2 hasn't got a football match then I stay in bed.

I'm also hoping underfoot is OK for my 10 miler. Off road is a piece of nonsense.

Hello, just checking back in and having a chuckle at the playlist posts!
I ran with my friend last Sunday for the first time in a couple of months. I'd really missed it so we're hoping to go again this Sunday.

Ran on a treadmill whilst away this week, not done that for years, managed 5km by watching the video of a trail up in the Swiss mountains, otherwise just looking at a window blind would have done my head in. Felt giddy when I got off, is that normal or because I'm not used to the motion?

I also managed the speed intervals that came up on the Garmin coach. Didn't think I'd manage to hit the pace which was 7.23-7.53min/mile which is a pace I'm pretty sure I've never run before. Surprised myself by managing just about, only 1 minute intervals so was a case of running hard and hoping to hit the pace and hang on. I had to walk rather than jog all the rest intervals.
I probably should rest my shin more though, it hurts post run then after a day or two feels better so I run again. So the cycle repeats! I really should make a physio appointment but I'm a bit scared too in case they say to stop running (I know this is daft but I run for my mind as much as physical benefit).

I'm feeling lazy; I've not done anything since Tuesday's 7 miler due to a brutal tooth extraction (with added complications).
I'm hoping to do parkrun tomorrow but it's going to be hard as I've barely eaten since Tuesday night.
I might hop on my turbo trainer shortly for half an easy hour.

However, whilst feeling sorry for myself I entered a 10 mile race. It's mid-Feb so a good build up for my half-marathon in April. I could just run 10 miles on my own but I love the atmosphere of races and being with a ton of other people. It'll be my first ever 10 race.

I want to love trail running @TheOrigRights but find it hard. My ankles are quite weak so I have to watch my footing a lot and can't get into the zone.

Are your shins hurting as much after the treadmill @Jumbojem? I only ask because my friend has knee issues and does find the treadmill a better surface. I wonder if the images didn't help dizziness - I quite often nearly fall off because I'm trying to adjust for things on the screen, like pedestrians that have gotten in the way of the filming!

Sounds very painful @brooksghost you poor thing. Signing up for another run is a good substitute for getting out though. Especially if it's a new distance.

re trail running.
I am also a hardened road runner, but in recent years have found ways to enjoy trail running, or at least acknowledge the benefits.

• I've had 3 stress fractures due to overuse. Running on softer ground both gives my legs (muscles) a break and also because of the variation in steps reduces the risk of injury that repetitive running on hard ground increases.
• All goals are OFF! It's good to just get out there and remind myself how lovely it is to be outside.
• I invested in some Inov8 Mudclaws which I cannot recommend enough. I've gone from slipping about or having to shake clods of mud off with every step, to skipping along like a mountain goat (ish!).
• It's really convenient when my car needs to go to the garage. I drop the car off, run off road back home, work, and then run back to collect it.
• It's good strength training
• While you might not get in the same zone as road running, for me I can switch off high alert. I live rurally, so when I am on the road I am with the traffic. I have to plan not to go on certain road at certain times of day. I actually find it easier at night because I can see car lights.

I know what you mean about the weak ankles and I worry about that, too, and when the ground is really hard I tend to stay off it.

I loathe the treadmill and rarely use one.

@chutneypig they were ok after the treadmill. I can see how it's lower impact. I can see how reacting to the images has an impact, I found the "uphill" bits harder even though I didn't change the incline.
@TheOrigRights I love trial for many of the same reasons you do. Most of my runs are hybrid on an old railway track which is gravel/mud/tarmac at various parts plus I often run the road to get to the woods, run trails there, then road home. Would the the mudclaws be useless for this type of run? I def need something more grippy for this time of year than my Nike Pegasus trail shoes. As it is I avoid the woods until the spring as it's a clayey mudbath up there!

Frustrating run today. Spent most of the day waiting for my running friend to confirm a time, before cancelling. Went out to do a 5k, but had to stop after 3.5 due to my pesky right calf.

I think it didn't help that I went out in cropped leggings. 🥶 Annoyed with myself

Oh that would annoy me. I'm kind of twitchy if I'm waiting for someone. And then I get twitchy AND angry.

I'm sorry it was a crappy run and you made the wrong wardrobe choices. The bad runs make the good ones all the more sweet.

Would the the mudclaws be useless for this type of run? I def need something more grippy for this time of year than my Nike Pegasus trail shoes. As it is I avoid the woods until the spring as it's a clayey mudbath up there!

The only problem you might have with the claws is that (like most off road shoes) they are not very cushioned or giving, so it might not be very comfortable on the road. That's a problem for me for anything apart from short distances.

Yes, people think it's all so lovely running around the countryside, but between the itchy crops/overgrown paths, baked earth with deep crevices, the carnage of the harvest and the mud of the winter and spring, there's really only a short sweet spot in late Spring and early Summer where it's easy running. Oh and when it snows, that's lovely.

That does sound frustrating @Velvian - I often find frustrations pile up after the first one. Someone said up thread how much of this is mental and it can often translate. I find it more if it's directly related to the run, if it's something else the run usually clears my head.

There's a lot of good points there @TheOrigRights. I'll have a look at the mudclaws. I know trail shoes are never going to be as cushioned as road shoes but my current ones feel so stiff that I don't feel it helps. I'm rural too so maybe a mental reset is what I need.

Having not eaten properly since Tuesday night (tooth extraction), I went to parkrun. I had a nice easy run round plus a run there and back.
Pace was very consistent- each mile was exactly the same so I'm quite impressed with myself!
Hopefully back to normal eating after the weekend.

Interesting to read the trail chat - I've done a lot of trail running in the last 5-6 years and now much prefer it to road running. I moved about 18 months ago and don't have trails as handy, but I should go and search them out.

I wore my trail shoes this morning for parkrun - went to a different local one which was less likely to be cancelled as it is on trails rather than an ornamental Victorian park with slippery pavement and my shins were quite sore. I think a combination of picking my way around unfamiliar ground and different shoes affected my gait.

@brooksghost - hope you are feeling better after your tooth extraction. Well done on such a consistent pace. I've done one ten mile race, many years ago. A good distance.

3.5km today , 10.26/km pace, I don’t even understand , what does it mean. I took my dog with me again, as it was late and dark and she’s big dog and gives me a lot of confidence. She also sometimes works as engine, too.
Next time I want to reach 5km.

Do you mean the 10:26/km?

It means that your average splits for that run is 10 minutes and 26 seconds per km, so your run must have been around 36 minutes and 30 seconds in total.

Thank you! According the app my run lasted 37 minutes , so you’re spot on 🙂 How do I calculate my speed? I’m probably on 4km/hour now.

Your speed in km/hr from that would be 60/10.43 using 10:26 in decimal time. so 5.75km/hr.

Thank you @xsquared , very interesting!

Haven't posted in a while so just checking in. Training is going better than expected. I had a few niggles around my ankles earlier on, so rested it a bit and then got back onto schedule about 3 weeks ago and its been much better since. I'm running 3x per week and I'm planning a 9 mile run tomorrow (half marathon is about 6 weeks away). My speed has surprisingly got a bit faster too - around 9min30 per mile for the shorter and medium length runs. I'm not actually doing any speed training though, so I think that's just because of the increase in training.

That sounds lovely, and reassuring, to be out with your dog @Turefu. I'm quite jealous, our dog is rubbish at running, such a disappointment for a collie.

I enjoyed parkrun, two minutes faster than my run there 4 weeks ago and I certainly felt stronger. That course is usually a safe bet for bad weather and was pretty good under foot, country park and paths rather than tarmac mostly.

We went to the running show yesterday so I picked up a few bits. Fitted for a new sports bra and got some insoles, had my feet looked at in a podiatry clinic, all very interesting. I have hyper extended big toes! I knew I'm hyper mobile but hadn't twigged on that particular joint. My son was listening to a nutrition talk so we're getting the book for that too, he was very interested. Based on what he hears I'm going to try a couple of dates today 45 minutes into my long run.

Sounds like all is going well @twotoedsloth. Hope you enjoyed your run today.

No swimming this morning as the lake was frozen. There was the option of a dip but it felt like too much faff to get changed and dried for a few minutes in the water. Of course now I’ve seen the photos I wish I’d been.

4 lovely sunny frozen miles with Arvo Part on my headphones for a bit of mindless mindfulness. Slow and slippery but blurry glad to have been.

Blurry glad? Very glad!

Yes, there's Def a sweet spot for trail, for me it's April/May when the woods are filled with bluebells then the wild garlic, and the mud has mainly dried up. Although in the heat wave the woods were a good bet for cooler climate. I listened to loads of murder/ghost podcasts last autumn and have stupidly become a bit fearful of going alone. The woods are virtually deserted, it's rare to see anyone at all and I do most of my runs alone.
That said, had a glorious 10k run this morning with a friend. We decided to go on the gravelled railway path rather than roads, it was beautiful with all the trees and bushes white with frost and a group of over wintering swans in the fields by the streams.

Meant to say I totally stuffed up the Garmin training plan run. Accidentally pressed the lap button instead of the back button after only a mile. So the rest was recorded as cool down and I got a 0% execution score which was a bit annoying.

Having done parkrun yesterday and still on minimal food; I sat on my turbo trainer for 75mins this morning.
The plan for this coming week is to restart solid food and fit in 3 runs- 8 miles, 4/5miles and extended parkrun (5miles). According to an email, I have 10 weeks until my half marathon so happy to be at the 8 mile stage now.
I'm also hoping that this tooth issue has helped with some weight loss!