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 9 miles yesterday - longest ever run by nearly 1.5 miles. I took it slowly as it had already been a fairly strenuous week. My knees and quads are a bit stiff today but nothing actively painful. Hard work going up and down stairs though.

if anyone's ever staying in Aldershot, the Basingstoke Canal is a lovely running spot.

@BogRollBOGOF bet it's beautiful running there though!

@Christmaspiggyjack let us know if the Karrimor one is decent.

@CatherineMaitland congratulations on your furthest run so far!

I have done my first run since last week's race - was a 6.5km tempo, which felt hard - but just added it up and I ran a 30.02 5k within the tempo bit, which is a PB so finding it hard makes sense!

Tiny bit gutted I didn't know I was that close to coming under a 30min 5k as I'd have sprinted a bit to make it. Still, I'll take a PB!

Hello all, I've been a bit quiet on the running front recently after my big run in July. I've been doing parkrun, a bit of swimming and a few short runs during the week. So just ticking over really. I had vague ideas of a trail HM in September which I might still sign up for to give me something to aim for. I'm enjoying running shorter distances and trying to run a bit faster as a different way of pushing myself.

After saying "never again" after the ultra, I'm now wondering about doing the same event again next year. Plenty of time to make up my mind.

The running was stunning. I did quite a bit while away. A beautiful (hard) parkrun, a 10k, and 2 7ks. It was lovely running with DH, and DS2 joined us a couple of times.

Tough hills though, but as I'm training for trail anyway that's no bad thing!

It's been the most running I've done on a holiday.

Still waiting on my hydration pack arriving. I’m itching to use it 😂

I did an 8 mile run in the rain and slight winds yesterday. I felt like I could have gone further but think I’d have ended up too sore. Glad I didn’t today as my knees are quite achey! Id been worrying that I wouldn’t be up for my HM in 6 weeks but after doing the 8 miles yesterday, I’m feeling more optimistic!

I bought a Decathlon hydration vest recently too. It is working well for me. I didn’t want to spend a lot on one but I struggled during my (very hot) 10k race in May as there was only water at the halfway point. I decided I wanted to carry my own water for my half marathon.

I set out to do 16k yesterday and ended up doing 18.5k! I’ve got 40 days until my race so I’m feeling so chuffed (and slightly like I’ve peaked too soon).

Following my piriformis injury I decided to slow down and I have switched to Jeffing most of my runs. I was dabbling a bit with it before. Yesterday’s run was 20 seconds running, 30 seconds walking and it was comfortable and enjoyable. I spent the afternoon doing the garden so it didn’t wreck me either! I’m perhaps a little stiff today but I have no pain or discomfort and I’m feeling good.

I am feeling so positive now. A few weeks ago I could barely walk a mile due to the muscle strain and now I’m in touching distance of finishing a half marathon.

I hit my pace target (8:30/km - I’m hoping to do my half marathon under 3 hours) without any special effort and everything felt easy (a few blister issues aside) and sustainable.

I am so glad I’ve decided to slow down - it’s made me enjoy running again and stop fearing injury! I was previously targeting a sub-2:45 half marathon but now I’m not heaping that pressure on myself I feel good.

I think my next few runs will be short (probably 5km on Thursday, 8km on Saturday, etc. - I usually run 3 x a week) and then I’ll aim to do another run of about 16km the following weekend. My training plan has been interrupted by injury and then holiday so I’m just winging it now but I could do with settling on a plan to follow for these last few weeks to give me some more structure. Probably my 5th plan of this block…!

Morning all, I’m just back from a 4 mile fasted run. It’s the first time I’ve ran without eating before and I found it surprisingly very easy. I thought I’d be keeled over or knawing at bushes I passed.

move really struggled to cram runs in this week. After my 8 miles run last Sunday I’ve only managed one interval run that was only around 2 miles, a weight session and today’s run. It’s 5 weeks tomorrow until my half marathon. I was so determined to do a 9 mile run this week and continue to build up until the day. Slightly panicking now.

Any short run I go fasted - eating beforehand is way more uncomfortable for me. I usually have a cup of tea first though

I had about 3 days off after a truly crappy mid-week run where I just couldn't make my legs move. I binned it off and walked some and had 3 days of feeling very down (mostly unrelated to the bad run, but probably related to the reason I started running in the first place) but not running. Then back today with a 3 mile run, which felt good.

Looking back on Strava I found I did the same run at the start of September last year but I have got 4 minutes faster over the year. Always cheering!

We are having hot, airless days in the south west at the moment - no fun for running even going out at 7am.

Well @CatherineMaitland here I am in the SW lying on my bed in my running clothes waiting for the heavy rain to stop🤣 I have been away for 2.5 weeks, in that time only did a single stop start 5k (running solo in unfamiliar woods) as running and being on holiday didn't really pan out. Did a lot of cycling though so hoping I've maintained some fitness!
I start XC again in about 6 weeks so need to get back to it but not sure where to start really.

Hello everyone, I've still not really got back into my running groove . I've been going to parkrun and trying to run once or twice during the week. I've also been swimming a bit and stuck with yoga (although I'm still on Adriene's July playlist, so a bit behind!) I could do with booking something to give me a goal to aim for.

Does anyone else get mozzarella cravings after running? It seems to be all I want to eat right now!

I also want to pick up a bit more cycling. Just put my bike in for a service as it hasn't been looked at for a good long time and the sheer idea has made me really, really want it back and to go out for a long day on it.

I am thinking of bringing my planned half marathon date forward as I have a feeling life will get in the way in October. But not really sure it's a brilliant idea to mess up the plan with 6 weeks to go.

My bike's in for a service at the moment.
First one in 16 years 😂
There have been great chunks of years where it's gathered dust!

I got it out last week so I could keep up with DS2 running! Alas the brake had been knocked off alignment and was rubbing the wheel which sounded awful but also wore a lot covering me in sweaty black dust. I wanted to get them checked anyway as the back brake was feeling less grippy so went for it.

It's nice having older children on decent sized bikes now.

I'm looking forwards to back-to-school so I can get swimming again too 😁

My post run craving is ready salted crisps, think it's the salt I'm after? Might be the same with mozzarella, it's got protein and salt so sounds like a perfect post run food!
I did 114 miles of cycling on my holiday, on my 20 year old never been serviced bike (I was complaining to OH at least half the gears were unusable). It is a nice break for the legs whilst maintaining fitness but I just don't enjoy cycling in the UK anymore. We were in Germany, well sign posted cycle routes everywhere, lots on segregated paths, the cars all stop and give you priority when crossing junctions, on roundabouts etc It just doesn't compare to the experience over here.

@Jumbojem That sounds amazing. I've just been on the rating sports /10 thread and it's the faff of sorting the bike out (check tyres, helmet, is lock needed, transporting it) and actually finding safe pleasant routes that's the mild turn off.

My bike is back in action with new brake pads. Everything else was fine on it.

I'm going easy on the running this week as I have races on Friday and Sunday!
Tomorrow's is just a 5k. I'll steady run that rather than max out. My DCs are able to do it, which is why I'm tagging along. My actual race is Sunday, 10mi, trail so a good workout but not total burnout. I've had more miles in my legs this summer than usual. I've decided to volunteer at parkrun on Sat to deliver myself from temptation 😂

Well done cyclists! I should get out more on my bike - DH and I used to cycle everyday to and from the station, but we have moved a bit further away and I always seem to be carrying loads of stuff so we tend to go in the car now.

I had a London run on Tuesday and pushed myself to go a bit further than I wanted to. Have just come down from doing yoga which has definitely helped hit strength. I can do proper press ups now (not many)!

Hope your races go well @BogRollBOGOF !

I so agree with the argument about faff, safe routes and maintenance for putting one off cycling. I'm lucky to live in a spot with a lot of very quiet lanes (Somerset Levels) but linking them up to actually get to places is a lot trickier. I can easily go miles out of my way to avoid a main road. Bridgwater seems to have relatively decent cycle ways but even then you see cycle lanes that just decant you on to a dual carriageway right by a roundabout - what's the point of that! I don't know why this country is so aggressively anti-cyclist - apart from anything I would bet most people who cycle also drive.

I pretty much always crave ready-salted crisps, sadly for my waistline.

Good luck for the races @BogRollBOGOF

There is very little on earth that tastes as good as salt and vinegar crisps at mile 14 of a marathon 😋

I'm still happily covered by my lunch of brown rice/ grains, halloumi, mediteranean veg and pesto. The DCs are fueling on porridge and super noodles before this evening's race. They have 2 hours to digest.

@BogRollBOGOF I think we might have done the same 5k yesterday - if so, it was such a good event wasn't it. Good luck for your trail event!

Good luck to those doing the Great North Run tomorrow!

Hope everyone had a good weekend -
especially if you did the Great North Run!

I ran my first half marathon yesterday! It was just a training run/walk so I took it very slowly and comfortably. No matter how slow you go, it’s still a long way! Moving time was around 3:02 so I need to find about 3 minutes on the day to come in under 3:00, which is what I’ve been aiming for since my piriformis injury. The race route is flatter than the one I did yesterday so I’m hoping that will help - plus another four weeks of training and crowd support on the day! Next year I will aim for a better time (2:45-ish) but for now I’m just happy my body works well enough to allow me to cover this distance.

@gm2023

Good for you! It’s always lovely to feel that sense of accomplishment. Regardless of time, you did great just to go out and complete it. I sometimes get so caught up in the time thing, I’m doing the Glasgow Half Marathon on 6th October and switch between just wanting to complete and then aiming for a time.

I did a 9.7 mile run on Saturday. My knees were sore afterwards, I have good trainers, stretch etc so I’m not too sure what else to do. I’ve seen exercises on the nhs website for knees/runners so will incorporate those!!

My race is the same day as yours and the cut-off time is 4.5 hours. I’ve got a lot of confidence I’ll finish it now and given my race has 3 hour pacers I feel confident there will be others on the course at the same time as me! I’m going to do an 8-10k this weekend and then finish up my plan with another long run (16km, perhaps) followed by a 10k. I want to see if I can still run a fast-ish 8-10k this weekend, as I’m wondering about a controlled fade strategy for the race (where I make a real effort to run 10k in a time that’s good for me and then do a halfway switch to slow Jeffing until the end).

I'm feeling like I ran a half marathon, which to be fair I have raced 13.9mi this weekend

Both races went well. I tried not to go mad on Fri night, but it definitely wasn't easy run mode. I wasn't my freshest yesterday morning, not helped by randomly clunking my ankle on Sat night while twiddling it on the sofa.
I did well. There was just one hill on the two laps where I broke into a walk, I managed to plough up the others which was good, and I came in around my usual time.

I've had a nice rest day today. I've got circuits tomorrow. I might do a short recovery if all feels decent.

The DCs ran well. One sub 25, one sub 30. DS2 also belted out a new course best at parkrun in sub 25! They enjoyed being able to do an actual race as a change from parkrun.

Well done @BogRollBOGOF , sounds like some great racing for your family.
@gm2023 and @Christmaspiggyjack sounds like your training is going well and you are in a positive place for race day.
I'm thinking about doing a half, just as a long weekend run, probably include refreshment stop part way. It's been an age since I ran 8 miles plus, or even over 10k to be honest. Not sure if that's a silly idea but I need a challenge and no races planned before I start XC again in mid Oct. Although what I really need to do is some hill reps for that!