Half Marathon Training Spring 2024

[xsquared]

The other thread got full, so I'm starting a new one to keep us motivated.

How is everyone doing?

Went out earlier today for a 8 mile run, when it was a little drizzly, but then got completely soaked as Storm Babette did their stuff! I'm still glad to have got out though.

Since completing GNR 2023, I've been training for a 10 mile race next month with Hal Higdon, as well as running 2 of the XC fixtures for my club.

I found out earlier this week that I got a place at a HM race in January 2024 through the new ballot system, so I will start training for that soon.

[BogRollBOGOF]

No events on the horizon for me. I'm going to be working on a 10k plan for a bit of direction and base fitness between now and new year.

I did my HM at the weekend; a personal slowest but totally expected given the change of terrain to usual, and far more importantly, I loved it. I'd happily do that event again.

[Lamontaine]

Thanks for the new thread @xsquared! I have a HM tomorrow and feeling a bit stressed. I did a 17k uphill race 4 weeks ago and lost a bit of my running mojo after that. And now I’ve been sick for the past 2 weeks. Argh! Anyway, I will probably enter a couple of races in the spring to keep up with training. How are you finding the Hal Higdon plan?

Well done @BogRollBOGOF, I like the sound of just loving a race. Sounds great!

[Lamontaine]

So my HM today was an absolute disaster, I started too fast and then completely ran out of energy, finally struggled over the finish line 5 mins slower than my prévious HM time. Felt bloody awful, absolute throbbing headache which accumulated with vomiting.

No runner’s high just pain and discomfort. So I don’t even know if I ever even want to run a race again! Maybe running is just not for me :(

[OhOneOhTwoOhThree]

Oh no @Lamontaine! Poor you. Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks @xsquared for starting a new thread. I haven't been doing much since my ultra in September - just sticking to parkrun and one or two short runs during the week. Life is a bit unpredictable at the moment, there's a race I'd like to do in December but I will decide nearer the time.

[xsquared]

@Lamontaine Oh, so sorry to hear that today's HM didn't go to plan. It sounds like it was a tough one.

Don't give up! There are good days and bad days. Take some time to recover and then do some easy runs for the enjoyment of it.

Trail races are more about enjoying the scenery, so I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your HM @BogRollBOGOF .

I'm following the HH free plan, and doing what it says, sometimes more than what it prescribes. I wish it would tell me how I'm doing like the Garmin coaches and whether I'm on target, but otherwise it's okay. I'd need to pay to see what other features do or show.

@OhOneOhTwoOhThree it's still good to do those to keep things ticking over when you're at a loose end and not specifically training for anything.

[OhOneOhTwoOhThree]

And sorry for inadvertently filling up the old thread, I hadn’t realised I’d made the last post. Hope our chums are able to find us!

@chutneypig
@brooksghost
@Jumbojem
@shamoola
@Iamanunsafebuilding
@Sammysquiz

[chutneypig]

I knew we were close but hadn't realised we'd hit 1000! Thanks for setting this one up @xsquared and for pointing me in the right direction @OhOneOhTwoOhThree.

That sounds very dispiriting @Lamontaine - I hope you're feeling better now. Being sick always throws me off ahead of a race, mentally and physically.

I've not got anything on the horizon at the moment. I'm doing a C25K style plan to get my pace back up. I had a lovely run with my dog yesterday so felt more positive. I'm increasing my weights and aiming to shed a few pounds before Christmas. Then I'll see what I'll aim for in the spring - there's a few local halfs I could try.

[shamoola]

Thank you for the new thread!

@Lamontaine that does not sound like a fun race experience! I had a similar one for a 10k in the summer and I must admit it's put me off doing another 10k anytime soon.

I am still focusing on speed but am starting to increase the length of my long runs. Though my watch is telling me I'm not recovering properly - I feel fine so not sure how much to believe the watch but I am planning to take it a bit easier this week.

[brooksghost]

Hello everyone!
Thank you for the new thread!
I am planning a half but I'm still undecided on which localish one to do in the spring.
I'm in full off-season triathlon training now and loving it. I'm doing a lot more quality sessions now rather than the ton of quantity previously. I've been with the coach for 7 weeks now and all is going well; I even managed a PB at parkrun this weekend so I'm very happy.

[Jumbojem]

Ooh hello everyone! I wondered why no one had posted for ages on the old thread. Personally have no running updates, next XC is in a couple of weeks. I did no running at all last week, went to Rome took running stuff but my legs were just dead from all the walking that I couldn't face it. Back to it this week to see how things are.
Boo to the dark evenings though, makes getting out for a run so much trickier/less inviting.
@Lamontaine hope your running mojo returns after a break. Every run can't be great, that's why the amazing ones really stand out and keep coming back for more.

[Lamontaine]

Thanks everyone for the supportive messages, you’re helping me feel less of a failure. It’s silly i know but everyone I knew running at the weekend all did amazingly well, after not training so hard / going on boozy holidays / taking the summer off etc.

My Pilates teacher suggested I do a trail run, maybe that’s what I’ll try next. I might also do the Geneva HM again next year. It went well this year and I know the course. And if that goes horribly wrong then I’ll have to look for a new sport!

Hope everyone has a good week of running or resting! 💖

[Jumbojem]

My first run in 10 days, and post clocks changing. It was grim, it's impossible to see the puddles in the dark so I sploshed through several. I had sprint intervals as the daily suggestion but between the lampposts were dark pools where it was hard to see how level the pavement was, I didn't want to risk going all out and tripping up.
Really hate these dark months for training, but I guess we all do.

[chutneypig]

A familiar run can make all the difference @Lamontaine. Sometimes it just doesn't come together on the day - I felt the same on a long trail event earlier this year. I could have cried the last few miles but my whole family just trotted on happily despite not having done anything longer than 5k, and not even that in my daughters case.

@Jumbojem I hear you - I hate these few weeks the most, in proper winter I can settle in more but this period is horrible. I'm supposed to be going out this morning but can hear the heavy rain so it's probably not sensible. Might do some yoga instead, I've been neglecting that and can really feel it.

[shamoola]

Does anyone else think tempo/threshold runs are the worst/hardest?
Speed work I can do and push hard but tempos are just nasty!!! No time to have a rest.

Had a tempo run today and struggled but it was dark and windy, but then again I always find them hard!
It just never seemed to end!

[Jumbojem]

According to my Garmin nearly all my runs are tempo @shamoola ! I'm not very good at pacing, the slow is too fast, the fast too slow.
I actually don't mind a tempo as I can get up to speed and basically try to hang in there. It's intervals or runs where you have to change speed where I fall apart. I fancy trying a pyramid, or it might be called a progression? Where you run faster each mile/km to try and help me gauge/control pace.

[brooksghost]

Most of my runs have been zone 2 so I'm finding trying to add sprints at a pace really hard!
Since doing the ultra back in July my whole sense of (fast) pacing has just gone. I've either gone off far too fast or not fast enough in parkruns so have had to work on getting that back.
Last week, I finally ran a PB with some fairly even splits but argh, it's taken ages!
However, all this zone 2 stuff seems to have really helped and I am infancy getting quicker without doing much speed work or intervals.

[Spirini]

May I join? I think I'm going to do a HM next weekend. So far the max I've done is 14km on Sunday and I plan on doing 16km on Thursday. Do you think I'll be ok for it?
I'm pretty slow, it takes me 1hr,10min to do 10k.

[bakewellbride]

Can I please join? I've got my first half marathon in February and ran my first ten mile run the other day. I feel fine about the distance but there are strict no headphones rules and that's what terrifies me! How am I meant to run 13.1 miles without any music 😞

[Spirini]

I wouldn't like that @bakewellbride! i actually think I wouldn't do it for that reason alone, I'm so reliant on my music. I know some serious runners have very strong feelings about it though. If I do this HM next week I'm thinking of starting with my airbuds in my pocket and putting them in after a few minutes

[brooksghost]

@Spirini
If your half is next weekend, I wouldn't be trying to run any distance now; it's a recipe for injury and exhaustion. Stick to easy short runs until the day. Anything you do 10 days before a big run isn't going to have any effect on the race. 10 days out is taper time which means resting up. I'd concentrate on 5ks at an easy pace to test legs and check equipment like trainers, which shorts/socks/leggings etc will be comfortable...

[Spirini]

Thanks @brooksghost, I know some people believe in a two week taper but because I haven't done that many long runs I'd like to get one more in...I'll then have 9 days of a taper/rest period

[chutneypig]

Big welcome to you both @Spirini and @bakewellbride!

I agree @Spirini, you don't want to go in tired. I've only every done 10 miles before a half and usually not even that. The race day adrenaline and atmosphere gets you through the last bit. I'm a similar pace to you.

I almost always run with music @bakewellbride but actually don't find it too bad without for a half. Is the February one a big event?

I don't think my Garmin will tell me I've done a tempo run for a very long time @shamoola  but I hate them. I'm a very lazy runner at heart. I prefer intervals, but short ones!

That's interesting @brooksghost. Way back earlier in the year when I was actually training properly, my plan was HR based. It made my spring half feel very comfortable but it massively hit my pace. I've been debating whether I'd do that plan again. Im still on my re-C25K plan and had a great run this morning, so maybe there's hope yet!

[Lamontaine]

Hi everyone! And welcome @Spirini and @bakewellbride. No headphones sounds awful. Although I have fast running friends who swear by running with no music.

@chutneypig thanks for the wise and supportive words. I’ve had 10 days off running and it’s been good to rest. Now I am going to get some new trainers and a new plan and get back out there training for next year! Plus the half marathon I did issued an apology this week as the course was 500m too long! Those extra 500m were so painful too 😅

Interesting indeed @brooksghost , I like @chutneypig found too many zone 2 runs affected my pace. But maybe I need to keep going. I do love a slow run! And also dislike a tempo run @shamoola …

hope everyone is having a good week despite the dark evenings and persistant rain (if your weather is anything like mine).

[Spirini]

I did the 16km as planned, took me 2:02, so not at all fast but I basically went up a mini mountain, down the other side and back again. 237m elevation gain 😪 I won't do anything until maybe next Wednesday.

I'll be going to go to town on my massage gun over the next few days!

[bakewellbride]

@chutneypig hi thanks. It's not a big event at all no and my friend and her husband have entered too so it's nice to know it won't be just me. I got some amazing new running trainers for my birthday recently which has been great. When is your half?