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.

Well done on the 1000 miles @OhOneOhTwoOhThree! Very impressive!

It really sounds like the HR training is paying off @brooksghost. That's encouraging me to give it a go again next year.

I'm not loving the bucketing rain either - very disruptive. I've got all the parkrun hi vis drying at home after yesterday!

Well done @OhOneOhTwoOhThree I keep setting my annual goal as 1000 miles and I'm always way behind by August so give up already! I have managed 1000kms instead. Try again in 2024 I guess.
Need to do a longer run today but tired and groggy as OH has given me his cold. Would rather curl up with a Christmas film! At least it's stopped raining!
What's everyone thinking about for 2024 goals?

Sorry I've neglected this chat. Managed my second ten miles yesterday but it was hard!

@bakewellbride congratulations on getting to 10! It's good to hit that milestone.
I was scrolling back through my Strava feed and I started the year on runs of about 5 miles and it was March before I'd got up to 10 milers. I'm back stuck at the 5-6 mile runs feeling like long runs now.

Well done @bakewellbride - 10 miles always looms large in my mind so getting two under your belt is great.

I keep debating on goals @Jumbojem. I'm seriously at the point parkrun feels like a long run! But a goal does help. I've not done much this week, my Garmin keeps telling me I'm strained! So my plan is to hopefully stagger to Christmas, rest and hit it in the new year. I don't know whether to focus on 5k improvements or go for a very basic beginners couch to half marathon.

Got my first race since 2018 tonight (yikes that went quickly!) - 10k. Will be running in a reindeer onesie with a friend - as in, we each have our own reindeer onesie, not the same one like a pantomime horse 😅- so no time goal, will probably be last, just hope to complete.

I've done 9k twice in training, but I'm still feeling a bit nervous!

How did it go @Trickedbyadoughnut ? Must have been warm in a reindeer onesie!

Know what you mean @chutneypig most of my runs are 4 -5 miles tops at the moment. Two of my running buddies got great parkrun PBs today. I'm happy for them but I seem to be stuck, not running longer nor getting any faster. Not sure what to aim for, but also don't want to lose my mojo as quite enjoying running at the mo.

How's everyone getting on over the festive period? Did my local boxing day run and super chuffed to knock 2 minutes off last year's time and a personal best on every Strava segment. I'm hoping this is all the easy runs paying off as it does feel hard posting slow runs to Strava when my running friends post fast ones. I know at heart it's the 80:20 rule and the slow runs are where the magic is supposed to happen.

Well done @Jumbojem on your pbs and for beating last year's time.

Comparison is the thief of joy. You may or may not ever run as fast as your running friends. Maybe set your Strava activities to be visible to you only, if you're not comfortable with sharing.

As you know, you have to mix things up and be able to run above, on and below your target race pace. Slow runs are just as important as your higher intensity speed sessions.

That's fantastic @Jumbojem! When I was doing a 80/20 plan I always used to put zone 2 in Strava just to be clear

I found out last week that my local half is on in April so I'm aiming for that. I was going to go back to my 80/20 plan but honestly don't think I could manage the 60 minute long run. So I've found a two runs a week couch to half plan I think I can stick to. Started that this week and I think it'll do the job. I've got an autumn half booked so hopefully can build off of that with a more targeted plan.

I've really focused on more structured training this year for the first time and have seen the benefits for it conpared to bimbling around and being ad hoc.

Jan- Apr was marathon training, which led to my longest ever runs. I kept up with speed doing parkrun, but really kept the long runs down below my usual levels.

After a more spontaneous/ recovery phase including a HM, I then went on to a block of 5k training using Garmin coach. That led to my two fastest 5k times.

I then had a block of hill/ distance based running that I structured myself that was towards a trail half marathon.

I'm now breaking the back of winter running on a 10k Garmin plan. I'm not too seruous about the actual outcome because there's no suitable event to target it at, but I thought it would be good for keeping structure over the winter, and keep a good HM training base while boosting my parkrun pace.

I have run the most consistently this year, my longest runs, my fastesr paces and most critically still enjoyed it and not aggravated some persistent niggles into injury.

@BogRollBOGOF that sounds perfect! I'm striving for something similar in 2024, i.e structure.

Planning a trail half at some point just need to find a suitable one. XC series runs until March.
Local 10k is June so will do that and try for a PB.
Right now I would just like to run without wind, rain, big puddles😆

Hello everyone, I have been a bit feeble recently, but took myself out on a 7 mile trail run on Saturday instead of going to parkrun (I didn't set an alarm and didn't wake up until 8.30am - I could probably still have got there but it would have been a mad rush). I really enjoyed the run, and my Christmas morning parkrun with DS1 (who is super fit, but not a runner, and has been complaining ever since about how stiff his legs are). I'm off work until 8 Jan, so will get a few more runs under my belt to get back into the habit. Life and work have both been busy and stressful recently and I know I manage better when I run and swim more regularly than I have been doing.

Well done @Jumbojem! Great gains and hope you find a trail HM. I think I have previously recommended the Norfolk Coastal Path HM, which I is usually in September - I've run it once as a race, and several times as long training runs when we've been up there on holiday.

@BogRollBOGOF that sounds like an excellent year of training - very structured and disciplined of you!

I'm signed up for the Kew HM in March, and the Boudicca Way 50K in July. Will need to find a few other events to coincide with long training runs.

I'll start another post with our events for others to add to.

@OhOneOhTwoOhThree - Kew HM, March

@brooksghost - HM, April

@chutneypig - local HM, April

@gm2023 - TBC

@Jumbojem - TBC, possibly a trail HM

Feel free to add!

@OhOneOhTwoOhThree - Kew HM, March

@bakewellbride - Feb HM

@brooksghost st - HM, April

@chutneypig ypig - local HM, April

@gm2023 2023 - TBC

@Jumbojem - TBC, possibly a trail HM

@chutneypig - autumn HM

Feel free to add!

Well done @BogRollBOGOF on your year of training and getting those faster times. The consistency really is key to better performances in races.

I am still following the Nike Club HM plan in preparation for a HM at the end of January, but I'm really supposed to be starting the London Marathon plan for April!

Didn't think I'd get in to London, so I'm in two minds of how I should run the HM in a few weeks time. Ideally, I'd like to race it to beat last year's time but not sure whether I can afford to rest too long after that!

Well done everyone on keeping the running going.
I did my first ever Christmas Day parkrun on Monday...it's only taken 10 years to get there! It was a lot of fun and lovely to see so many people out and about.
I've entered the same half marathon that I did last year; I got injured just before and could barely walk...so this year, I want to go back and hammer it! I think it was a 1:37 last year so a few minutes off that would be good. However, I'm training like a nutter for triathlons so doing less running than last year. Long slow zone 2 runs are going well; my average speed is getting quicker whilst my heart rate remains the same.
Good luck to all those with races coming up and I hope the training goes well over this festive period.

Is a June half marathon too late to join this thread? I started running early last year and am just about to get to 10km with a Garmin coach training plan thingy. I'm just beginning to get the hang of conversational pace running or whatever we call it, everyone seems to have a different name for the same thing!

I've entered a half marathon for June ( a trail one with hills - I've always included hills in my runs so I'm not bothered about that) but if I can't do it for any reason, I can swap to a 10k on the same day, which makes me feel like I have a safety net. Always interested to read/learn from what others are doing as I had no running background or experience prior to starting in 2022. I couldn't run for 100m without stopping to walk when I began.

Welcome @CatherineMaitland I think any running event is fine, I'm not even entered into any at the moment! We are here for motivation, moans and any running questions people may have.
If you are more or less up to 10k now, including hills, I think you will be more than ready for a half by June. Just steadily up the mileage rather than big jumps. I got comfortable (ish, they were never easy) with 10 milers before my first half as for me "the wall" hits at mile 9 so wanted to mentally be able to get beyond that.

The only thing you'll need to think about as you start to run longer is fuel, so post 10k you might need to start trying gels/haribo, find what works for you to keep you going in the second half of the distance.

Welcome to the thread @CatherineMaitland. Not too late to join at all.

With trail, it's less to do with pace and the challenge here is to be able to cope with the uneven terrain as well as hills.

If you are in a club, try running in some of the cross country races, as it will give you the practice of running fast on a range of surfaces.

Hello @CatherineMaitland and welcome aboard! This is a continuation of a thread that started last year and has just kept going (I was going to put "and ran and ran", but's that what we did). Feel free to add your HM to the list I posted above - always good to see what people have planned.

I've finished the year with a 4 mile slip and slide through mud and puddles and along the river bank. This takes me to 1020 miles for the year - I'd never have imagined that last January.

I don't need to start training for my next event until late January so will try to just keep ticking over until then. I've have a few swims booked and have signed up for the January Yoga with Adriene for some strength training. Happy New Year to all!

A big welcome to you @CatherineMaitland! Like the others have said, we're on a fairly random collection of runs this year. This group is fantastic for support and advice.

I wish I'd gone to parkrun on Christmas Day @brooksghost. I was worried about getting dinner done in time and didn't go, which I regretted. Lesson for next year, don't put exercise last. That's definitely why I'm in such poor shape.

That's a great distance for the year @OhOneOhTwoOhThree - well done! I must have a look at Yoga with Adrienne - I've done the January one a few times. I'm not sure I can fit it in this January but was wondering about doing it in February, so I'll be keen to hear how you're finding it.

That's a definite quandary @xsquared - how long are your long runs at the stage for London?

parkrun for us in the morning, hilly one to start the year off. I'm also aiming for better balance between volunteering and running parkrun in 2024. It's not done my fitness any favours this year.

@OhOneOhTwoOhThree wow,well done on the 1000+miles. It's been my Strava goal for a few years but yet to make it. I was on track until June then I stopped the long runs and am now far behind.
@chutneypig there's a YWA Flow thread, I saw @OhOneOhTwoOhThree is on it along with myself and various others. I'm also on a general yoga thread if you want something to keep you motivated without the pressure to do it in Jan. I can't keep up with daily yoga beyond Jan (and frankly even that's an effort, I think last year I did a few double days to keep up). I've got a fair bit of work travel in Jan which is going to limit both running and yoga opportunities.
Good luck to those of you parkrunning tomorrow. I did it yesterday (and got a small PB) as our local one was apparently heaving on Christmas Day. There are even fewer locally on tomorrow than Xmas day so I have a feeling it will be rammed, and a narrow course. It's also blowing an absolute gale here at the mo, we nearly got swept away on the sea front this afternoon. Bloody weather, and there we all were moaning about the heatwave back in June 😆

@Jumbojem I think I managed all of January and half of February with YWA last year. Then we went away on holiday and I got out of the habit. I went to an in person class a few weeks ago (which turned out to be one to one as nobody else turned up) which I absolutely loved and made me want to get back to it. Not that I have made any effort to do so...

We're off to parkrun tomorrow - I'm running and DH is volunteering. I volunteered yesterday. Hope the wind drops for you @Jumbojem .

@xsquared congratulations on your London place - I'd missed that. And I think with an end-January HM you are first up!

Thanks @Jumbojem @xsquared @OhOneOhTwoOhThree ! It will be the Cheddar half marathon with Relish Running. I did their 5km road race in September which was fun (although I didn't realise that a downhill road race meant everyone else would be super fast, I am not and likely never will be super fast but I'm still glad I did it) It's very local to me and I've done a run or two on some of the terrain already. I need some proper trail running shoes for it though, my poor little Pumas were a bit outclassed on my previous run.

I'm a bit wary of joining a club as I feel I will be too slow, plus tricky with work, but I try and run on tracks, roads, and also sand as I am close to Burnham-on-Sea with miles and miles of sand. One of our village roads is permanently flooded in rain and I had to get a bit used to getting my feet wet. Once I get some proper shoes I'll make sure I do more trails before June.