Training for a half marathon-anyone else?

[Happierwithouthim]

This weekend I'll be running 10k/6 miles. Plan is to increase by 1 mile a week.

It has been years since I ran a half marathon.

BLOODY FECKING KNEE

Out today for our 8 miles. 4 miles in my knee starts twinging. I’ve been a very sensible person which is unusual for me and am gently walking home but I’m so pissed off! My plan is to RICE it, give it an easy time and maybe address the fact that I should be doing strength training alongside running and actually using the gym membership I pay for! I desperately hoping it’ll be okay for the half in 5 weeks time.
any advice welcome!!!!!!

Orlando my advice is listen to your body and perhaps see a physio. I rested a number of times my calf gave me grief and it eventually tore, went to physio minute I felt twinge in my hamstring and was able to prevent that and continue running.

I went out and did five miles despite forecast not looking great for the morn. Dry for half misty for half but my legs were like lead. I’m on day 35 of this cycle and it’s definitely affecting my runs. 5.01miles in 61 minutes. I walked just under half a mile in the middle.

Thanks @Happierwithouthimthat sounds sensible.

On Monday I ran 18km which is the furthest I've ever run! I use km because I have no idea how far it is so running 18 arbitrary units is definitely better than running about 11 miles! I feel like my goal is achievable now. I have one long run left next week so hopefully the weather will be good on Monday.

@OrlandointheWilderness I strongly recommend physio. Last year I hurt my leg and the GP didn't know what it was so sent me for a scan, but my private physio diagnosed me with an IT band issue and treated it before the NHS even gave me an appointment. Luckily I have health insurance which pays for it but even if I didn't I think it would still be worth it.

@Happierwithouthim if I'm counting my long run last week even though I had a coffee break in the middle then you can definitely count yours!

And I've got some new socks so I'm excited about going for a run tonight!

I'm sure you were all eagerly waiting for my socks update. Unfortunately, there's nothing too exciting to report. They were fine. I think it's because I've gone from an already good sock to a slightly better sock so it wasn't a huge difference.

Yesterday I tried to do my last long run before my half marathon at the end of the month. On the first attempt it started hailing as soon as I left the house. I tried to go again once it had cleared up but I think I'd eaten too recently as I started to develop awful tummy pain so I gave up. My longest run will therefore be last week's 18km but I'm happy with that.

Glad everyone is getting on well. I’m still not right, I’ve got a sports physio booked for Friday. I’m doubting very much that I’ll be running the half marathon on the 12th tbh. I’m absolutely gutter but I do have another lined up at the end of November.

Mine is at the beginning of October and I’ll do my last long run on Monday, approx 10 miles. I ran 13.3 a couple of weeks ago, which took me 2hrs 25 so I’m hoping for a bit faster in the actual race. (Last one I did 2.08).

I’ve just been to the physio - good news!! Knee is mechanically sound (apparently I have strong knees 😂), tendons/ ligaments no tears or damage. What I have is a touch of runners knee - I got slightly told off for not stretching and I’ve been massaged/taped/got exercises and a stretch and strength and conditioning plan. I’ve booked in for a sports massage and to check alignment etc and she said to give it until Tuesday, warm up properly, stretch and try a gentle trot. But she think the half marathon will be doable as long as I’m not hammering it and the saving grace is that it’s one with no cut off time so at the worst I can walk it.

YAY @OrlandointheWilderness that is good news! Hopefully you'll be fine to run and if not at least you should be able to finish.

I am now terrified because my race is one week away! How did that happen?! I feel as prepared as I can be and today's practice run went well. I've practiced drinking, taking gels, blowing my nose, dropping things and having to pick them up, as well as poses for the finish line photo! I've even customised my top so that it has a slit up the side to fit around my mascot better. My fundraising total is already up to £750.

Excellent news duck & Orlando
at work last week I stretched my calf & felt a searing pain. I did my physio exercises but didn’t run at weekend.
did half mile walk to warm up and ran 5k yesterday eve trouble free phew

hadn’t run since my 10k weekend before and wanted to make sure I didn’t lose it before winter lands. Happy now

Ran with athletics club yesterday I did 5k as did two others , the rest did more, I’m the slowest by a long shot.
My muscles are tight, my hamstring hurt on injured leg. Mission to do exercises religiously activated.

next activity will be Thurs eve & will be mowing the lawn. Don’t foresee any running this weekend.

Hi everyone, I’ve been lurking and following everyone’s journeys. I did my first half marathon last year and have my second one on Saturday!
I have gone through all the emotions! Feeling like I’m not ready, then I did a 12 mile run last Tuesday and was happy with my pace, how I felt etc. I then become unwell, really fatigued and a cough/cold. I thought it was Covid but a test was negative. Haven’t done much since and told myself I’m tapering!
Anyway, my training has been in generally dry/warm weather. This Saturday is forecast to sling it down!! So my latest dilemma is do I wear a jacket or not…. I haven’t trained in one, what if I’m roasting… oh the running dramas!! Wish me luck.

Welcome @Christmaspiggyjack to the thread.
If you've been training in warm weather, then a little bit of rain might be a welcome change temperature wise. Only thing I would worry about is the busyness of the race and any potential to slip depending on terrain.

All the best with that.

I went out yesterday for a gentle amble and did two miles - slight tension after the first moment but like a good girl I stopped and stretched and it was fine! Felt so bloody good to be out.

Does carrying stuff or sleeves bother you? Everything bothers me when I’m running so I wouldn’t bring a jacket.

dress for the second mile is advice generally given because you do warm up.

hope you’re feeling better

Definitely don't wear a jacket for a race. You'll boil in the bag!

Vest and shorts all the way for races. You'll be hot.

Thanks for the advice folks. Just a last minute curve ball that I’m overthinking 😂 “boiling in a bag” certainly made my mind up 😂

It is forecast to be about 8 degrees and to absolutely throw it down. I’ve been training in a T shirt or vest so I might go for the T shirt and shorts. I’m in the throes of pre race anxiety!

Half marathon complete! Went with just a t shirt and I’m so glad! Weather was perfect for running and changed last minute to no rain!

I got a PB and over the moon with that. Looking forward to a bath and a gin tonight!

Well done @Christmaspiggyjack ! Hope you enjoyed the gin

My half went amazing! It was very hilly. Some of the downhill sections were nice but some felt too steep to be enjoyable. The uphills were brutal. The weather was almost perfect - the temperature was perfect but it did drizzle a bit. I finished well within my target time so I'm thrilled with that.

Well done! Such a good feeling afterwards. I’m still buzzing after mine yesterday. And on the hunt for the next one! 😂

Went out for a ten mile yesterday - very very slow but knee behaved! Yay. I was out next Sunday for a 5 mile race just to let the dog have a look at a race day but I’ve changed it to the ten mile option to try and get some more miles in. Debating what I do this week - I’ve only got a few runs left before Hadrians wall and I want to use them wisely!

@OrlandointheWilderness my longest run before my half was only 18km, and your planned 10 mile run is about 16km so doesn't seem that much shorter! If your half is on the 12th you do want to leave time for The Taper though, so it might be best not to try to do too much.

@Christmaspiggyjack yes, I'm still buzzing too! The photos from the finish line make me look crazy but I was just so happy to have finished, have run all the way (except for a few steps when my water bottle got stuck in my belt and I needed to walk so I could figure it out), and to have beat my target time.

When I set my goal I didn't think I'd do it, and I was over 7 minutes faster! And on such a hilly course. I'm already signed up for the Royal Parks Half in 2 weeks and then a full marathon in April, but I'm now thinking about what to do afterwards.

Yes after the ten on Sunday I’ll taper. I used to taper for 5 days for a had which worked well for me. More importantly I need to sort fueling - I don’t eat huge amounts (mounjaro!) and need to start paying proper attention to upping nutrition as I’m coming off the MJ and miles are going up.