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.

Oh no! 10-11 weeks and jeffing sounds realustic for completing.

I jeffed a HM last year on "no training" although admitedly it was on an old base of marathon training. I went easy and ran for fun/ feel for 6 weeks, only did one long run in that time which I cut short, and just went out, jeffed 60:30 with the 2:30 pacer and had a great time.

I've done HM#2 of the year at a very pleasing 2:15. It's been my first run-all HM since the pb in 2021that injured me.
My pacing was really consistent. The two slowest kms were the bush stop and chatting with a friend. I enjoyed the halfway chat, it was rather refreshing!

How did the rest of the event go @OhOneOhTwoOhThree?

How frustrating for you @gm2023. If it helps I did train for my first half in 12 weeks, jeffing all the long runs. I only did one or two other sessions in a week as well.

I've rewritten my training plan for my half in September for literally the fifth time. I'm hoping I get some insight from my GPs this week on my high BP.

Did you get into LLHM @gm2023? I was very grumpy that not one of the four of us got in, or me or DH into London either. Something to focus on in April would really have helped if can fix whatever's wrong with me this year.

I'm with you@Jumbojem - I shudder to think where I'd be on the flexibility without the yoga and pilates. I'm managing a couple of classes a week plus some weights.

Well done @BogRollBOGOF ! Great work!

@gm2023 sorry to hear you are off running. Hope you feel better soon. Run/walk is a great strategy.

Thanks for asking @chutneypig I had a fun rest of weekend. The XC went well, despite there being a hill in every mile. I stuck to my intervals even if it meant running up the hills and walking the downhills. My time was almost the same as last year give or take half a minute.

The HM went as expected. I was lapped by the winner and enjoyed being out in the countryside for 2 and 3/4 hours. The weather was perfect, nice and cool. Someone new to the event has commented on their social media that it should be billed as a tough XC HM and that their feet are shredded so I’m feeling quite smug.

I hope you get some answers on your BP.

In other sporting news DS1 is rowing at Henley this week. Months of training with his crew. I’m a proud mum!

Thanks for the support and encouragement! No luck with the London Landmarks ballot.
I would like to book another half marathon for around April time as I think doing one every six months should be enough to keep me motivated without becoming overwhelming. So please let me know if anyone has any recommendations for spring half marathons that are beginner-friendly!

Been very good and I’ve done all my physio exercises so I’m hoping it starts to help!

I have done a fair bit of Jeffing so happy to make that my main focus but just gutted I’m having to take a break because I’ve really hurt myself. I am pleased you think I might still be able to complete the half in October though! I’d got up to seven miles before this happened.

When I’m “allowed” to run again I’ll try a few different ratios and see what feels best. Might manage to Jeff 15:30 but at the moment even walking hurts so I’ve really got to take it one step at a time (quite literally).

Look after yourselves, everyone - I really don’t recommend injuring your piriformis!

@gm2023 you don't have to be too specific but roughly where are you, and are you willing to travel? e.g. there's no point me telling you that the Edinburgh HM is good one (but not until May next year) if you live in Cornwall and don't want to go more than 50 miles away from home!

Any of these take your fancy?

Spring 2025 HMs

Of that list, I've done the Edinburgh marathon, DH did the half and had a fast time as it's downhill and then flat. I've also done the MK half, which I think is my PB. It was flat but boring as you run around the grid. We were registered for Kew Gardens this year but bailed when we realised how early we'd need to be up that morning to get there in time.

Not on that list there's also the Cambridge half - haven't done it but I think some of the runners on the predecessor of this thread may have done it. And IIRC the spring Rutland Water HM was the same day as chutneypig did the London Landmarks last year. I enjoyed RW because I am a slow jeffer and the scenery was fantastic, DH didn't like it it because he's a fairly quick runner with bad knees which don't go well with hills.

I think any of the big events are beginner friendly as they attract such a diverse range of people.

I am happy to travel a bit but you’re right - Edinburgh is a bit far for me! Somewhere in the Bath, Bristol, South Wales area would be ideal. But thanks for the Cambridge suggestion - I hadn’t thought about that. I lived there for a few years so I think I’d enjoy that one!

@OhOneOhTwoOhThree and @Jumbojem hearing that you've managed to keep up with the yoga has inspired me to do Flow again this month (starting on 2nd so that I'll finish on 31st), I've been back to doing only easy, short videos and need to push a bit again!

Well done on the HMs @OhOneOhTwoOhThree and @BogRollBOGOF!

@gm2023 back in the mists of time, I did a HM on 10 weeks training post injury with only two runs a week, a very conservative goal time and lots of swimming and cycling to up my cardio, so it is possible.

@chutneypig hope you got answers about your BP.

I am really wanting to make a concerted effort to lose some weight before my next HM in six weeks, so if anyone has any good ideas what's worked when running, I'd appreciate it. I really need to be 10 kgs lighter eventually (to have a normal BMI) and would love to make a start line this year (probably my December 10k) where I don't feel like I'm lugging around a 15 kg rucksack compared to the average runner there.

I've been carb cycling, so eat carbs more freely on heavy days of running, and focusing on veg and protein more on lighter days. Generally aiming for 30 plants per week. I managed to lose 1.5kg in June and as I was only just skimming towards "overweight" I don't lose rapidly.

The long, slow zone 2 running is good for encouraging fat burning.

Hi all, I haven't checked in for a few months. I've done a few 10k races but on the whole my training has slumped. I've been managing one run a week whereas in the winter/autumn months I was at 3 runs a week. I've definitely noticed my speed and stamina drop as a result. I was doing a 54 min 10k in March and now I'm back up to 57ish. It might not sound like a lot but they were also unpleasant runs where I just wanted to stop and walk (i actually did in my last run). The heat isn't helping either. It's incredible how quickly fitness can decline.

I've got Royal Parks Half in October and the Great South so I'm going to make a concerted effort to get back into running at least twice a week this weekend.

I've also signed up for Brighton Marathon next year - my first marathon! Excited and scared at the same time!

I am DEFINITELY too old to stay up all night for elections. I got a run in yesterday, but not sure I will manage one tomorrow!

I could also do with losing 15kg but running doesn't seem to help for me - if I try and have a calorie deficit the hunger is unmanageable. Maybe when I can get to the longer distances consistently, that will help. I haven't been as consistent as I'd like due to illness and life stuff disrupting me.

Thanks for the insight on carb cycling @BogRollBOGOF - I'm in the 10kg to lose ideally range as well but it's always seemed such a struggle balanced with running but I can see that would suit. I track 30 plants per week, it's great for keeping me on the straight and narrow when I'm travelling. I do like a good list.

My children are doing Royal Parks this year as well @Hawkerslife - now their exams are finished I have been suggesting they really need to start ramping up the distance!

I had a good call with the GP this week, I'll be getting base line assessment and then starting meds. My systolic is fine, it's my diastolic that's the issue. I feel so much more positive for a plan now,

Thanks for the listing @OhOneOhTwoOhThree. Cambridge is piquing my interest. I love the thought of Rutland but the hills! I suppose you don't get views like that without elevation!

parkrun tourism with my daughter today, my 50th different event, so looking forward to that even if the weather is not what was predicted. Par for the course this year!

I'm on a short running ban after racing my HM with a niggle, but at least it's a natural time for a break so I'm not feeling too crushed about it. The niggle is improving and I'm back to the osteopath in a couple of weeks to keep easing it. The worst bit has been two weeks of shit, broken sleep and feeling generally knackered.

Currently feeling a bit lost as I've woken on autopilot and not going to parkrun. I'd walk it, but I've got other stuff on later so not fussed about spending 45+ mins doing it on this occasion.

DH is also off running. He's been building back up after a lapse and his ankle has swollen a bit so he's resting that while it calms.

Hi all, I was out doing a 7km today. I’d planned a 10km but it was much hotter than I was expecting and I’d worn full length leggings instead of shorts!

Anyway, I wanted to ask a running shoe question… I’m looking at purchasing some Brooks trainers. I’ve tried the Ghost Max and they felt wonderful, the shop didn’t have the Glycerin 20/21 but I see that they’re also quite a plush feel. Is anyone able to say if there’s a lot of difference between the Glycerin 20 & 21, there’s a big price difference on the website I’m looking at.

@FlorencenotRatchet
@Christmaspiggyjack sorry, tagged Florence and I can't remove the tag?! Anyway, I have the Glycerine 20s and really like them. OH has the men's pair and likes his too. Afraid neither of us has the 21 to compare to though.
@BogRollBOGOF carb cycling sounds interesting, and well done on the weight loss. It's something I need to tackle too. I've never been slim but I've always been at top end of healthy BMI, and always been very active. But these last 5 years I've put on quite a bit. Combo of WFH, with access to food all day, COVID stay at home, and age I guess. I'm just ravenous after a run, and struggle generally to eat small portions as I love food 😬 I'm veggie and struggle with getting enough protein, and have way too many carbs! I do ok on the veg tho!
I had a Strava crown today, had a lovely but windy run with my son on a newly opened cycle path near us. I don't expect to keep the crown long as it was really busy, but mainly cyclists at the mo.

I bought the Brooks Glycerin 21 in March, think I paid about £165 for them. They're really cushioned shoes and the first time I wore them it was a revelation - felt like running on clouds. I'm not sure whether they've got a bit harder now or I've got used to them but they don't feel as amazing as they did that first wear. I haven't tried the 20 but I would recommend the 21s definitely.

Hi everyone.

11 miles for me today, although actually I think it was longer as I hadn't notices that my watch wasn't working for part of the first mile. My legs were really tired. Yesterday I did a swim and parkrun double and I think I overcooked it a bit. Two more weeks and it will all be over.

@Trickedbyadoughnut glad you are back on the yoga! I'm still on the June playlist, but gradually working through it.

@BogRollBOGOF thanks for the carb cycling info from me too. I'm at the stage where I'm doing lots of long slow miles and a couple of people have commented that I'm looking leaner - I don't own scales so can't tell if I've lost any weight. Hope you`re running again soon - sounds like you have done the sensible thing.

@Hawkerslife good to have some events to focus on for the autumn - hope your training goes well.

Hope you enjoyed the parkrun tourism @chutneypig. That's a great total of different events.

I have Brooks Ghosts - recommended by the running shop. I'm not sure what the difference is between Ghosts and Glycerins - I think DH has had both at different times.

Really glad you’re all doing well! I wear Brooks Adrenaline GTS at the moment. I’ve looked at the other styles they do but mine are a wide fit & it doesn’t really seem like the others come in that width fitting. I’ve been happy with them though.

Still no running or walking but I’m continuing to do my physio exercises twice a day and I’m perhaps in another ten days or so I’ll be able to get back to training. Really think I’m going to end up selling my half marathon place but won’t give up hope just yet.

Thanks @OhOneOhTwoOhThree . I'd love to do some swimming to mix up my training but it's one of those things that I can't find the time for with no local pool.

Does anyone have any tips to ease tight calves? I've got a massage gun but not really sure I'm using it right. I also use magnesium spray and stretch but I still nearly always have sore calves. I should probably be stretching more regularly, even when not exercising.

I keep a weight near my front door so I can do weighted calf raises/ stretches at the end of a run. Sometimes I actually remember to do them! 😂

Still on my running break. I'm improving. Did a strength class today and the range of movement is definitely better than the last two weeks. Still adapting around it and staying low-impact though and it's definitely not right yet.
The worst bit's been the disturbance to sleep from pain at night. That's also improving, but there's a bit of a lag as that exhaustion wears off.
I'm being checked over in another 10 days, so hopefully should be much closer to normal then.

At least I did my race and am in a natural rest phase.
Plus the DCs are now old enough that I can run pretty normally through the summer holidays these days so can get back on it when I'm ready.

Looks like another two weeks off for me, although pain is definitely subsiding so I’m feeling more positive than I have done so far. Some new exercises to do and an encouragement to try cycling on an exercise bike to keep up some cardio fitness. Going to look at gym memberships today to see if I can find one that will tide me over for the next month or so. Trying to stay positive - and managing it mostly - but think I’m going to sell my half marathon place. I think I’ll be running soon but that distance on an expedited training plan might not do my injury any favours!

Oh that's such a shame how frustrating for you. @gm2023 If you can find the right gym I think that'd be great to keep things ticking over. Despite my running decline the weights and yoga/pilates have kept me in much better shape, so I feel I'm in a good position when I pick things up again. It feels much more positive mentally.

Can you defer your place? I can with Robin Hood, so I've been eying up that list @OhOneOhTwoOhThree shared to find one to aim for in spring.

I went for a long walk yesterday. My body was trying to tell me that it's never been for a walk before, let alone running a HM 10 days earlier.

Bodies are dishonest bastards

That’s so funny @BogRollBOGOF I had to run for the train tonight. Granted I was in non-running trainers and a normal bra, but I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. Too many long slow runs!