I’ve just done something crazy 😜

[damienair]

Well having said on many occasions that I would never have any interest in running much further than 10K I have just done something crazy. I have been struggling with motivation and running recently. I’m just aimlessly plodding away. Nothing wrong with that really but I want to get fitter and return to my previous level of fitness from over 2 years ago. So I have just registered for a Half Marathon on the 27th of August which is taking place in my home town.

What have I done? I’ve ran up to 15K previously a few times so I guess it’s just another parkrun. Time to start training.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Sounds exciting damienair - good luck with the training!🙂

[Teresa1632 Graduate10]

Nothing crazy about that; its a great goal and motivator. Loads of time to train. And as its local, no travel or grappling with an unfamiliar place to worry about. You'll love it! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️ 👏

[damienair Administrator in reply to Teresa1632]

It’s in my hometown where I grew up. The route will actually pass by my parents house which will be nice. I’ll stay at my mum and dads. So yes I’ll be close on race day. Thank you.

[Teresa1632 Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Even better! You can nip into the loo mid race if need be (avoiding the portaloo - urrrgh). And you can have custom snacks & drinks laid on at the gate. Plus your very own cheerleaders, yay!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

That's not something crazy Damien, I wish you luck for your training for that Half Marathon on the 27th August. 👍

[damienair Administrator in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks Alan

[TailChaser Graduate10]

Of course you can do it Damien! It really does help to have something like that to motivate you: a target to aim for. Get a plan together and you’ll smash it I’m sure 🙌🙌👍

[damienair Administrator in reply to TailChaser]

Thanks TC. Plenty of time but I’m starting the plan this week.

[Cmoi Graduate10]

I love this damienair - with 15k already under your belt, a HM should be no problem, especially since you have a plan. I confess I winged everything between 10k and metric marathon, I'm allergic to training!

[damienair Administrator in reply to Cmoi]

It’s been over 2 years since I ran 15K and I have not ran 10K since November, currently struggling with 5K so I’ll need to put in plenty of training. I have just over 5 months. Getting started this week.

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

We can cheer each other on. I’ve been having exactly the same feelings. My 7 mile race last week was the furthest I’ve run for goodness knows how long, but I’ve signed up for a HM in September. I don’t have a plan yet, so any suggestions would be great. We can do this 😃

[damienair Administrator in reply to Sandie1961]

Oh brilliant Sandie. I was reading a couple of plans over the weekend. Most are 3 days a week with a long run at the weekend starting off with about 7K and adding 1 or 1.5 k each week for the long run.

My plan will be a nice 5K on Tuesday, interval or hill training on Thursday, parkrun on Saturday and a long slow run on Sunday at conversational pace.

I never do strength and conditioning work, need to do some now too.

[Freecloud Graduate10]

Good for you! The main thing is to take your time and go easy. I was like you and said I would only do 5ks, but I actually enjoy the longer distances more.

You've already done a few long runs so HM should be easily achievable.

Good luck with the training.

[damienair Administrator in reply to Freecloud]

Thank you. I’m a long way off doing long runs at the moment. But I’ll start the training plan this week and build it up bit by bit and week by week.

[mrrun Graduate10]

Just go and do it, man! Nothing crazy about it, it’s doable and you’ve got it. 👍👊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Brilliant idea Damien! It’s a wonderful way to kickstart that mojo. You’ll do it and you’ll be awesome. Can’t wait to read all about your training! 👊🏃‍♂️👏

[damienair Administrator in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks so much Cheeky. Looking forward to giving it a go.

[RunWillie Graduate10]

You will have no problem running a HM damienair 👍🏻

[damienair Administrator in reply to RunWillie]

Cheers, thanks

[Jericho2332 Graduate10]

HM is the furthest I ever got to and it felt like a real achievement. I'm sure you will smash it! NRC offers some excellent HM training. Good luck with it 👍🏻

[damienair Administrator in reply to Jericho2332]

Thanks, looking forward to giving it a go.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

It does help to have a target damienair and August seems plenty of time for you to get there. How lovely that it is on your parents’ doorstep too. That takes away lots of the worries.

I know you can do this, and if you post on the marathon site you’ll get lots of support and advice along the way.

[damienair Administrator in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy. Training starts tomorrow with a nice 5K.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Ha Ha !Join the club... !

,I was only ever, going to run 5K !

Find a great plan and stick to it, ( I used roseabi 's ), and my advice, ( I took loads from others on the Marathon and Half Marathon Forum ), is to tweak it to suit yourself and your running style an lifestyle.E.g. Because I wasn't using any of the energy, drinks , snacks etc, I slightly adapted my eating regime a week or so before. Not hugely, but eating a few extra carbs etc.

misswobble was a terrific support in many. many ways, and my photo from the top of the viaduct was for her! I did my first on the Monsal Trail at 69 in 2019.

So pop across to the Marathon and HM Forum.. they are amazing there

Your route sound perfect, and you are going to have fun; and your Home Town...great! Can't wait to watch your progress

Monsal HM View from the viaduct!

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Great photo Oldfloss ! I was only ever going to complete C25K. 🤭

[damienair Administrator in reply to Oldfloss]

Great photo. Thank you Oldfloss , I am looking forward to giving it a go.

[tmbtrain Graduate10]

Sounds like the perfect goal! Good luck with the training 💪

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Well done Damien - as they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained! August is 5 months -plenty of time to get there. Let us know how you're doing!👍

[damienair Administrator in reply to JonathanP]

Cheers Jonathan.

[roseabi]

Awesome!!!!!

[CBDB Graduate10]

We’ll be cheering you on! Well done! Great plan to get that mojo back! You got this!

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

Well done damienair - that’s really going to give you a boost!

[Week7 Graduate10]

Brilliant-plenty of time to train !

[Raisemeup 60minGraduate]

Sounds like the ideal place for you to run Damien - home ground, near your parents house. There is already a positive vibe and I won't be at all surprised if you do the 1/2 with relative ease.Fingers will be crossed for you, and I'm sure you are being wished all the best from the many 'Bridge crossers' you have encouraged to the other side- it's your turn now - go for it and enjoy!

Best wishes ☺️

[damienair Administrator in reply to Raisemeup]

Ah thanks so much. Of course the real reason is to improve my fitness so as I can tackle my parkrun PB of 25:36. 😂

[nowster Graduate10]

You don't really need to do any special training for a Half Marathon. Certainly nothing like you'd need to do for a full Marathon.

Use something like the Magic Plan to get yourself back to 10km and then just extend by 1km per week (with the occasional break). You have plenty of time before August.

Remember that for runs over 90 minutes, you're going to need to take along some fuel and water. I like to start on the jelly babies about 8km in, a little while before I actually need the little boost.

[damienair Administrator in reply to nowster]

Cheers nowster , that is more or less my plan. Start off with 7K and add 1 to 1.5K each week for the long run.

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

I roughly followed the 10% rule and went 10, 11, 12, 13.3, 15, 16.1, 18, (a break of several months), 16.1, 21.1.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

Sometimes you just have to let the inner crazy guy take control! You got that HM, and it is indeed just a parkrun more than you’ve gone before! Enjoy the training and beating your next goal my friend.

[damienair Administrator in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Cheers and thanks.

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Ah you crazy kid! I think you’ll have a blast and great it’s on your own doorstep. I wanted to enter my local one in October, I’ve been running some of its route and everything, but won’t be here for it now! Great to have something to look forward to and train for 😊😊😊👍👍👍.

[damienair Administrator in reply to Frenc]

Thank you. It will be a good challenge and a reason to get out the door.

[Doris8 Graduate10]

Good luck . A great incentive to get you motivated. Happy training😊👍

[damienair Administrator in reply to Doris8]

Thanks so much

[misswobble Graduate10]

Ha ha Floss! 😁. Thanks for reminding me 💡It’s this weekend by the way 🏃‍♀️ I shall make a concerted effort to look over the edge of the viaduct this time 😀

Good luck with your training Damien. Have fun 😀🏃‍♂️👍

[damienair Administrator in reply to misswobble]

Thank you.

[ethreeguy]

Hi damienair ,

Awesome job in signing up for a half marathon - that's wicked. I've only just started running half marathons as part of my training.

I'm hoping to push onto trail running over the next couple of weeks and take on a whole new world of pain,.

Good luck!!

[damienair Administrator in reply to ethreeguy]

Thank you. I’ve done 2 trail runs so far. Both were 13K mountain runs. A mix of running and hiking up the very steep sections. It was brilliant. Enjoy.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

Brilliant! Good luck with the training - and how special that will be to run a HM in your home town.