Hi! Am I crazy?

[hwarren9]

So last Saturday I ran my first 5k in a park run. I made it to the end (with a minute of walking in the middle) in just over 40 minutes. I completed the couch to 5k a couple of weeks ago but had never made it to 5k, only 30 minutes of running.

So now I'm going further. And I'm training for the bath half marathon in March. Am I crazy?! I wanted something to work towards and my sister encouraged me to join her this year. Only problem is, the further I get into my training, the more I wonder if I can do it. I hit my very large mental wall at around 25 minutes of running at the moment and am really struggling to get past it. I've found a training programme which I'm trying to follow but definitely struggling to make myself go out at the moment in the cold!

Any tips to begin going the extra mile(s) would be very helpful!

[tfcmagpie Graduate10]

I still run with WK9 of C25K running in the background with MJ to lead me through. I warm up before I start him then run for 40 mins and that is how I got through my first Parkrun which tomorrow will be 4 weeks ago. Each time I have done Parkrun since my first I have concentrated on slow and steady and not responding to others as they come past me in the first 1K. I merely pick them off as I am consistent in each K and they are getting slower each K. I started like you at towards the high end of 39 minutes and am now down to the low end of 36 minutes. I keep telling myself that I am doing this for my mental and bodily health and not to be in the next Olympic games. I am training though to do a 10 K run in the spring next year.

[Limawhite Graduate10 in reply to tfcmagpie]

I still do exactly the same, using week 9 of Couch to 5k. I used it yesterday, when I did my 5k run. Did stretching at home then a very slow jog in the first 5 minute walking section, and ran for the next 35 minutes, with stretching afterwards.

I'm still a slow runner but find if I try to push myself too fast, I am likely to feel ill the next day, with flu-like symptoms. I have been persuaded by my daughter to enter a 10k on 1st April (poor fool me) so am now using ju-ju's plan to help me get to up to 10k by then.

[tfcmagpie Graduate10 in reply to Limawhite]

Let us know how you get on.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10]

Music/audiobook playing as you run?

Other distractions - Christmas lights/pretty scenery/ There’s a person ahead of me I need to overtake them/ I’ll just run to that tree/ Counting things or naming things as you pass them - I generally do dog breeds, but whatever works for you.

A lot of us still have problems with the first 2k of a run, and need to get past it before we can really get into ‘enjoyment’ mode.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Look around, take it all in.... get plenty of 30 minute consolidation in, and put some shorter runs in too.. vary it, and shake it up... different routes too... I did 10 K last Sunday and a 1K short and sweet, Tuesday

I make up rhymes, and poems, and just generally take everything in ... as my rambling blogs indicate!!

Make up names for trees, shrubs, funny names for people you see... daft shopping lists in your head.. silly Christmas gifts.. anything that takes you mind off the 25 minute mark... you will find, you are suddenly moving on. Let it evolve :)..

[IannodaTruffe Graduate10]

There are 12 week half marathon training plans, but you are pushing yourself quite hard to do 21k by March, especially if you are struggling with 25 minutes at present. You need to accept that you may not run it all, but of course you can still do it. Do plenty of core strength cross training.

I am much like Oldfloss, making a commentary in my head of everything I can see around me. I do this less now that I am comfortable with longer distances, but my brain is still active, drafting my writings in my head. Running time is a hugely creative time for me and the last thing I think about is my actual running and certainly not thinking about time. As you get used to longer durations, this becomes easier.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Hi hwarren, have you tried a there and back route...? It sounds boring but it worked for me, After your warm up run for 2.5k then turn round and come back the same way. The return run feels so easy and it's soon over. Then you can add an extra half k when you want to and actually run an extra kilometre without too much mental effort. I use the free Mapmyrun app and you set it to interrupt your music to tell you each half kilometre and your time and pace. It's great and I used it in conjunction with ju ju's 10k training plan, so one 5k one shorter run and one longer run each week.

I found trying to add distance at the end of my run a real problem but half way through not so bad 😊xx

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[hwarren9 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you! I'm trying a there and back tomorrow with my sister so we shall see how that goes!

I use runkeeper which does the same thing. It's great, very helpful!

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Firstly- you can do this. You have a while till march. I have done the Bath half a few times and the support there is incredible. I would say consolidate on the 25 minute runs for a few weeks. Then aim to start the training plan in the new year. What training plan are you following??

[hwarren9 in reply to ju-ju-]

Currently just following one I found on pinterest of a 16 week one.

[hwarren9 in reply to ju-ju-]

Have you got any recommendations? I ran 5 miles this morning in just over an hour which I was well chuffed about. Majorly helped having my sister keep me going!