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.

Stressing out a bit because I've had to have some time off running!

I completed a 14K run at Cannock on the 30th July, was supposed to be doing a short run on the 3rd August but I had hurt my foot and I didn't have time. I completed the following Tuesdays session so a week ago today but my foot hurt more so I skipped last Thursdays and Saturdays.

Today I'm trying again with a steady 5K but even just having a day off running really screws my fitness up. It's 7 weeks this coming Sunday and I really don't think I'm ready!

You can only go from where you are today. If you can get up to running 10 miles in total per week you'll be able to do it. One run at a time.

I'm 5 weeks on Sunday away from my HM, this morning I went to a local thing by athletics club and ended up basically getting a personal running coach for 40 mins, it's on every morning this week, tomorrow he'll do fartlek training with me.
I was up to seven miles at beg of June. I'm back to 6 miles now m, if I can get to to 10 miles I'll be happy

Ran 4 of 5 mornings this week, my later start at new job is benefiting my running.

Hey can I join? I'm signed up to a half on the 15th sep as well.

I do a lot of running (but short runs - 4/5k most days). So increasing mileage has been tough! My knee and hip are very sore!!!

I'm on holiday so eating way too much and drinking but planning to do a long run - 10 miles - tomorrow. Eeek.

Of course you can join how did 10 miles go? You've carb loaded so I bet that helped!

I usually just do two 5ks plus a long run but this week was different 4 5ks, 45 mins on aqua park yesterday and did 1 hour kayaking, went out this morning with the intention of doing 7-8miles. I've finished up with 5.5. That's 17.5 miles over the week as opposed to approx 10 miles usually so I'm ok with that.

After suffering day 2 hangover on 10k a few weeks ago I'm giving alcohol a miss until after my half

Woo that's a lot of running @Happierwithouthim !! Well done.

The 10 miles was ok - painful tho - definitely something not ok with my hip / knee on one side so the final 5k was mind over matter . I've had a lot of gynaecological surgery so I suspect my lack of core strength is causing a problem :/

BUT I did it and finished it so one step closer to the half!

When's your race?

@Happierwithouthim im also doing Charleville!! How are you getting on??

How are you all dealing with eating and training? I'm doing my half marathon training but also heavy weight lifting so I'm trying to keep my protein up but also my calories down so I can lose weight.

I've got a 14km run tomorrow and I've put all my food in for tomorrow but my carbs are sky high, protein only on 114g and my calories 2100!! I could scrap the energy drink and just have water and 2 energy chews during my run but it's a really hilly so I feel like I need extra help. My maintenance calories are about 2000, I've been quite good this week eating around 1600 each day but tomorrow I have no chance if I want to succeed during my run.

It's so hard trying to achieve all targets.

@takeabeat it's on Sept 15th
@Forestcantrun are you an experienced runner with a time in mind or just out to do it?

@Pickingmyselfup personally I found it very hard to restrict calories and have good runs. I'm finding myself quite hungry going the early morning runs, so I'm trying to make good choices.

@Pickingmyselfup if you feel you need the extra help during your run , then you need those carbs/chees. For 14km I don’t take anything at all but that’s what works for me and my stomach.
@Happierwithouthim I’ve now been running about 3 years. I am running for 1:45 or thereabouts as part of my marathon training. All depends on the day though. Charleville is flat, but who knows what the weather be like that day

I would like to join as well please! My first ever half marathon is in October and I'm very slow so far. Need to ramp it up majorly as although I do 10k fairly regularly I've never run further than 9 miles.

7.5 miles in the bag, tough going I'm on my period & walked 4 miles 2 days & ran 3.5 miles 2 days already this week. There were hills today, there are none in Charleville 

@weareallqueens as Baz Luhrman once said 'the race is long & in the end it's only with yourself', and every medal in the half is the same unless you're out to win it it's the taking part that counts.

I did Charleville in 2017 & didn't run much since until this year again.

@Forestcantrun I hate running in the rain

Well done @Happierwithouthim that's a fab achievement. Running on a period is hard bloody work (literally) so many studies about how it objectively affects performance but you went out and did it!!!

I'd love to ask people's views on fuelling half marathons? I've been fasting (16:8) and basically am fairly used to running short runs (>6k) without eating. However today and last week I did long runs (10 and 12 miles respectively) ate before and oh GOD felt so sick and stomach / lower abdomen cramps. Is it ok to run long distances on empty / on some jelly babies?!

I prefer running fasted but the longer runs I feel you need something. I had a sausage sandwich about two hours before I left & electrolytes & then took tailwind along the way.

My legs were no good at start of period I'm about 3 days in now so it's a bit easier

The first 3.5 miles was tough mentally & the rest of it tough physically

Yep, doing one at the end of September! Good luck with your preparation.

So today I did another 14km and whilst I'm not destroyed I'm not exactly full of energy. I wouldn't fancy doing a day at work but I'm ok just pottering around the house. Is this normal? So far this is the longest distance I've done, on 10K I'm pretty fine, 12-14 is pushing it so that I'm feeling it!

@Pickingmyselfup totally normal to be tired after any long run. 14k is great mileage. I find 16k on I really feel it after and need a bath to just relax.
we did 34k this morning. I think I need new legs now. I haven’t really focussed on my half until now because I’ve been so wrapped up in my marathon plan.
@Happierwithouthim great miles today. Weather with us has been fairly horrendous but luckily we were out early enough to miss the worst of it.

You're two thirds of the way there @Pickingmyselfup and have plenty of time.
I didn't do a lot yesterday either after running either, I've had a lot of late nights & am tired.

I'm finding the longer distances over 10k:/6 miles very tough, I didn't find it as hard as this last time I did one.

The half marathon training plan is out today so will see what they're suggesting for next week

@Forestcantrun when's your marathon on?

This is very true @Happierwithouthim. I always tell my DDs to run their own race. I need to be very conscious of pacing myself regardless of what everyone around me is doing. I set off very fast for 10ks and tend to get away with it but not sure it'll work for a half.

A wee slow 2 miles for me today then a long run tomorrow.

My quads are sore from long run presume it's due to the hills

@Happierwithouthim October.

How did your long run go @weareallqueens

It wasn't fun, but I managed 9 miles. Just need to do 10, then 11, then 12 and we're sorted!

Dublin?
I saw people out running yesterday eve and one was wearing a Charleville vest top

Glad I've rediscovered this thread today, I've been considering deferring to next year but you are all inspiring me!

My training was going great, then I went and got Covid in July, and although it was pretty mild I seem to have been crap at running ever since and really struggling on long runs.
I think I'm going to keep at it for a couple more weeks before giving up entirely, the race is on the 29th. Planning to load up on carbs on Monday then have a stab at a half marathon distance (slowly!) on Tuesday to see how I go.