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.

It's a good point in the year for a shift of focus. I love the early autumn long run season building to a HM, but then as we reach the late end of autumn it's nice to have that time pressure released and be free to play with frequency and pace.

I had a recovery phase after my race, and then picked up a cold so I haven't regained my mojo yet. I'm just doing short easy runs this week. I've set up a 10k plan on my phone, but am still not fully convinced that's what I want to do right now, but I'm not stressing that this week anyway.

My running has dropped off a cliff since my half. I was running about 30-32 km/week but I took two weeks off after my half-marathon (managing 5km/week). Managed 16km last week and hoping to hit about 20km this week. Various things going on at the moment mean I haven’t got the time to do a weekend long run at the moment but would like to do 10km tomorrow. Hoping to do a 5, 10, 5, 15km pattern at the weekend until I begin my next plan at the end of the year.

I’m training for a 26-mile Macmillan Mighty Hike next but I am intending to run, or run-walk, a lot of the plan , as I don’t really have the time to go out walking on top of running (and I need to keep running for the GNR in September). I am also hoping to use it as a bit of an experiment to see whether doing a marathon might be on the cards for 2026… I feel like that’s the only way to really sort out my fitness and make the shorter distances I want to run/race easier…

@sweetlittleshiba22 two possible ideas - do you eat enough? I've seen a good few of runners solve some persistent injury cycles by fuelling more.

Second, could you try a biomechnical analysis for runners? Various physio clinics do them. I had one a few years ago. Not just looking at the shoes like in a running shop, but everywhere. I got some great exercises from the physio I did mine with. Really helpful.

I'm abroad now so a recommendation won't help you much, but if you give a rough idea of which area you're in someone might be able to recommend someone. Or if you've got a physio already you could call them and try asking?

It's this kind of thing: https://www.fixmyrun.co.uk/running-coach/bma/

Basically they watch you running to see what could be potentially causing injury and give you areas to work on: I was given a set of hip exercises as that was causing me to injure my knee, some ankle strengthening exercises and some upper back stretches. I was basically pretty wonky!

@Trickedbyadoughnut that's fascinating, I think I'm wonky! All my injuries/niggles are on my left side. Did it help? I have been thinking about something like this but I know I'll probably be a bit rubbish at sticking to any suggested exercises.
After my slow build back after the calf niggle I then got a cold and spent time away at half term so feel like running is going more and more backwards. I need a little recovery break every mile or so and pace is slow. Now it's also the dark and cold time of year when I really have to force myself to go out. Think I may restart one of the Garmin 5k plans just to push me a bit up until Christmas. There is a boxing day race locally which I'd love to do and run well but waiting on firming up Xmas plans before entering.

that's fascinating, I think I'm wonky! All my injuries/niggles are on my left side

Honestly, I think pretty much everyone is a bit uneven. In my experience, if you go to a podiatrist they'll diagnose an issue with your feet; if you go to an osteopath they'll find an imbalance that needs "fixing"... etc. If you look for a problem, you'll find one.

I've come to the conclusion that pretty much all my issues are down to wonky hips, exacerbated by childbirth. I can't realign my hips (despite what the osteopath claims!) but I can strengthen my glutes and do lots of yoga to stay strong, so I make sure I do plenty of that. It doesn't stave off injury altogether, but it's helped.

My pelvis has never fully forgiven me for my two DCs- 13+ years later!
The adductor machine at the gym was uncomfortable the other night on the usual weight. It's quite intermittent- sometimes I'm fine and sometimes I twinge, but if I don't work it (with caution) then I can't strengthen that zone.

I've decided that I'm not in the mood for 10k training at present and am in a little and often mode. Garmin's happy though 😂

Well despite being super unfit still I've decided to throw myself in the deep end and do cross country this weekend. It's 4.5 miles, not even sure I've run that far in weeks, so just finishing without a walk break will be a challenge. Thankfully it's not a particularly hilly course at least, got another few weeks before the hilly events start.

Quick! Get the bunting out! Garmin is happy!!! 😁😂

Woo hoo @BogRollBOGOF ! Garmin is a hard taskmaster so well done on the balance.
I did my XC today, chuffed I made it round within sight of two of my team mates a few runners in front and faster than last year by a few seconds. Although OH pointed out conditions were a lot better this year than last, damn him 🤣

The consolation of this calm gloomy weather has been the lack of mud. Last year was dreadful for it from halfway through October!

Hello lovely HM running chums! Hope you have all had a lovely Christmas and have nice plans for the New Year. DH and I have signed up for a HM in March so am just starting to train for it.

Life has been a bit fraught/busy over recent months so I have not been running or posting as often, but I'm hoping to get back into the groove while I'm off work for the next couple of weeks. I've been parkrunning, yoga-ing and a bit of swimming but nothing longer than 5 miles for what seems like months.

I see that the thread fizzled out a few weeks ago - have you all regrouped somewhere else?

Hello @OhOneOhTwoOhThree hope 2025 is less frazzled for you and you get back into it.
I was thinking about starting a 2025 thread soon, but maybe more of a general running goals/group motivation/run chat one. Selfishly as I don't have any halves planned yet! I have entered what I thought was a half but it is actually 15 miles, hilly trail miles so I will have to up my game. I also didn't run much this autumn but have got back into it in the last couple of months, but so slow and mostly 3-4 milers.

I've had December "off". Not not running, but no real agenda and bimbling along with up to 10k but mainly short runs and parkrun.

I've got a HM booked for Feb so have 6 weeks coming to train up from 6mi to 10+ mi. I'm ready for some purpose now, the same as having been ready for a mental break after my last race in November.

And long run for the week done- 6mi.
Second half was better than the first half.

Hello @OhOneOhTwoOhThree - I'm with you on a few fraught months. I'm trying to get back to running still - making some progress but it's slow. I have got Robin Hood booked but only because I deferred from last year!

Good to see you too @Jumbojem and @BogRollBOGOF! I'd be in favour of a general running thread for 2025

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/exercise/5242157-running-goals-motivation-and-chat-2025

Happy new year! I'm still lying in bed, weather is awful but feel I need to start the year with at least a short run at some point!
I created a 2025 running chat thread, link above if you want to join in and carry on the chat.
Sounds like quite a few of us had a bit of a running break over the Autumn, I am very much trying to get back into it but it's taking a while, and my pace has reduced immensely. Thinking about deleting my personal bests on my watch and starting afresh to motivate me. 2025 me cannot compare to 2018 me when I set most of those PBs.

Thank you @Jumbojem, I will pop over there in a bit. I overslept and missed parkrun this morning but have just taken myself out for 5K.