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.

I ran my half marathon today. It's been a tough week so getting to the start line was good.
I stuck to my race plan, fuelled it well, paced it well...and chopped 7 mins off my PB! I felt good the whole way round and managed fairly consistent mile splits. Over the moon with a 1:31

That’s brilliant - well done 🎉

A change of scene can be just the trick @CatherineMaitland - woods are always good. Hope it calms down for you.

Sounds fun if challenging @BogRollBOGOF, hopefully the weather will continue to improve for it.

It's so frustrating to feel like that @Jumbojem, so I'm glad to hear yesterday was better. I wouldn't say I'm feeling much better running at the moment, just that I'm feeling OK to get out, which is a huge improvement. I'm sure pace will come with time now. On the form side I found the stride repeats Coach Greg had in his Garmin plan to be good.

I used to live in London but didn't run then so I'm keen to make up for it - I've been jealous of @OhOneOhTwoOhThree out in London  It makes such a difference for me if there's something to look at. My runs last week were on the most dire roads. I like the sound of the Circle Line run, might even be quicker than the tube at times!!

You constantly amaze @brooksghost - that is a phenomenal time!

My parkrun was not stellar on Saturday, too much on grass but very pretty bits. I suspect I'm shuffling too and need to work on stretching my calves as well.

Wow wow on chopping 7 minutes off your best, @brooksghost !

PR bell - ding ding!

Half marathon done - 17 minutes off my PB for a 2h20! Delighted. Also delighted that I didn't need to go to the loo as I sweat buckets in the heat although probably only the last 5k was over 20 degrees. Zone 2 training and daily yoga for strength paid off!

Wow @brooksghost another 7 minutes off what to me is already an inconceiveably fast time! Congratulations

Brilliant work @Trickedbyadoughnut especially in that heat!

This is incredible! Well done!

Congratulations!

Congrats @Trickedbyadoughnut !

Super running @Trickedbyadoughnut and @brooksghost ! Well done on smashing your PBs!

Super well done @Trickedbyadoughnut and @brooksghost !

@chutneypig have you had your London run yet? I ran 5 miles along the circle line after work this evening. I had to rely on my phone for navigation at times and stopped at each station to take a photo so it was more of a meander than a run but good fun to explore new bits of town and see how it all fits together above ground. I will start at this evening’s finish point next time and do the next section.

The Circle Line run sounds great fun! Speed repeats for me when I stop lying here on my phone.
New running shoes arrived, wore them indoors all day felt fine. Wore them on a run last night and the ball of my foot started to feel iffy towards the end. So typical it didn't happen before I'd worn them outside. Worried I should have gone a half-size bigger, they are already a size up from my usual shoe size though and the same size as my other Brooks shoes.

I'm just on the train to London now @OhOneOhTwoOhThree so planning for tomorrow morning. That's a fab idea on the tube station photos. I do like a good photo while I'm out.

I had a good interval session yesterday but more importantly I didn't try to talk myself out of going.

I'm still not 100% sure on my new shoes either @Jumbojem. I've been toying with getting a second pair as I've always had two on the go because I kept a pair at my flat when I worked away. I probably could get away with one pair now but can't help thinking I'd need to clean them more. I've kept one pair a bit tidier for packing for travel. But they've definitely lost their bounce.

Well done @brooksghost and @Trickedbyadoughnut , phenomenal achievements to take so much off your PBs!

I have been in a bit of a lull after my half marathon last month. Still pottering along but I miss the focus of a target and I've felt quite leaden on my evening runs. Have a 10k booked in which is part trail so that will be interesting.

That sounds interesting! I’ve got my first (ever!) 10K next month (as preparation for my first half marathon in October). I’ve not run that far before but I’m up to 8km now and feeling good. I am hoping to make some good progress over the next month with a view to following the 75 minute pacer around the course. I originally thought 80 minutes was more realistic for me but I’m consistently running 12 minute miles at the moment so I am going to mark 75 minutes as my A goal. If I fail then I fail - it’s good to have something to aim towards. B goal is 80 minutes and C goal is finishing it with a smile on my face! I’ve run just under 9 miles this week with another run to come at the weekend. I’ve come a long way since starting Couch to 5K in October!

I am down to do 6.5km tomorrow but I’m finding it better to run by time rather than distance. I find it easier to count minutes than miles! Does anyone know of any time-based plans - ones that tell you to run for, say, 60 minutes rather than 5 miles? I’m looking at options for my half, although was quite set on using a Run Disney plan.

Hi everyone!

It’s been ages since I’ve been on this thread - sorry!

Well done everyone on your recent running successes, excellent work on smashing those PBs! 👏

I’ve been following coach Jeff’s plan for my half in 2 weeks and was beginning to feel like I’d never be able to speed up, but, it does seem like it may be paying off, I did a 15k practice run this week and found I could hold my goal pace well by planning in some strategic walk breaks. I’ve decided to do a 10km race next weekend as a practice run for the half, fingers crossed it goes ok or I’ll just want to give up.

I don’t know why I keep entering races. I get stressed and anxious about the time and always say ‘never again’ when I’m at the start. Then something happens and before I know it I’m signing up for another race!

@gm2023 Women's Running has a beginner half marathon plan based on time, you can download it from their website. I did a mix of that and their other plan based on distance, as I wanted to get up to 12 miles before the race.

Going back to the earlier conversation about form, I did some stride repeats from my Garmin plan yesterday, and boy, my calves and hamstrings ache this morning. Clearly I don't use them enough in my everyday runs!

gm2023 - I'm also running by time via Garmin plan and Coach Greg. I have to run around not getting chronic fatigue flare-ups so by time seemed more flexible to me. But sometimes I don't know if I am making enough progress on it.

Thanks both! I’ve found the Women’s Running one but don’t think it’s for me as I’m not sure running for 1 hour 45 minutes is going to be enough when I’m looking at a 2:45-3:00 half! But it’s a good starting point and I might be able to adapt it. Thank you. Here’s the link if anyone’s looking - https://www.womensrunning.co.uk/training/how-to-train-for-a-half-marathon-using-time-not-distance/

I haven’t got a Garmin (I use an Apple Watch) but wondering if an entry level one might be a good idea for me for the plans. I’ve also been looking at Runna. I run twice with a running club and don’t want to change that but I think I can sign up to Runna and say I want to only run twice a week so it gives me two extra workouts on top of my club runs. I just want help building up to longer distances sensibly so lots to think about! Such a minefield.

I train to time and heart rate rather than distance.
I'm absolutely rubbish at running to a set speed. Even trying 5 miles at half marathon pace is really hard for me!
Last week, my average pace was 6:55, I don't think I broke 8:00 in training ever. Even any intervals I ran weren't even close to race pace!
Race day adds on speed for me. Going on my training up to the half, I should have run 15 mins slower (based on race pace intervals etc). I think my coach was banging her head!
For me, heart rate is the key, building that base of long slow runs, developing the VO2 and gaining stamina in the body.

Anyway, legs seem ok-ish after last weeks half, so I'm off to Parkrun tomorrow just for a trot round.

That's really interesting to see the pace differences for you @brooksghost and is very encouraging. My HR plan has timed runs in the week and a distance for the long runs which suits me. I need to plan more in the week but as I'm on the slower side I found timed long runs weren't quite doing the job.

I got my London run in this morning @OhOneOhTwoOhThree but was a bit too over excited and struggled to keep my HR down. But I loved it along the canal, lots to see. I'm aiming for a new parkrun tomorrow as I'm nearly at my half Cowell - it's supposed to be a mile uphill so I haven't got any great ambitions on time 

So pleased you got your London run in @chutneypig! We're on hols now, so I had a seafront run last night and a couple of options for parkrun tomorrow (although have done then all before as we come here quite often).

@Jumbojem shame about the shoes. I had to give up on my favourite Saucony Triumphs because they tweaked the design every season until they no longer suited my feet.

@Lamontaine lovely to see you again! Sounds like your training is going well!

@gm2023 and @Ponks as a slower runner/jeffer I tend to go for distance based plans rather than time so that I know I can do the time on my feet. But @brooksghost's experience is making me think again!

Hi everyone,

I’m new to posting on this thread but have been reading for a while now. It’s so helpful to read what everyone else is doing and getting different tips.

I had my first 10km yesterday for a long time. I’d been running between 5 - 7km for a while and working on my pace; although didn’t seem to make much difference with it 😂

We had been on holiday the first week of the Easter holidays and since back I’ve really struggled to motivate myself and get used to real life again! So I thought the 10km would be terrible as I haven’t done much in the last 3 weeks. I did it in 63 minutes though so really pleased with that.

I have my first HM in October but I’ve decided to do some more 10km races in between.

10k's a good, achievable base to maintain. It's straightforward to increase to HM when needed from that point, but needs little more than an hour to fit into life.

I did a 10k improver's plan over the winter to keep me going between events which was good for stamina. I've had a disrupted training block for my upcoming HM, but actually I've got enough long runs in and a strong base of workout runs which is what's needed.