what would you do?

[Me_time]

So I have registered for a HM on the 6th Aug. Its 3rd weekend from today. That would be 2HMs in about a month. The last one that I did on my own was on 6th July.

My question is, what distances would you run for these three weeks? Last week I did three 10k runs. I am still running 3 times a week.

Do I increase my distance or give my legs a bit of rest and do shorter runs for next three weeks. But, would that affect my run on 6th?

I was planning to do just 10k runs 3 times a week until then. Is that a good plan?

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Two HMs in a month is a lot for most people unless you’re an experienced runner. There are so many factors to consider whether this would be a wise idea but I appreciate that that is not your question.

However, perhaps you are young and have not been injured and have done your last HM with no soreness or aches. Perhaps you were a runner before and so have developed some kind of running legs and muscles that you can rely on a bit now. Only you can judge what your body can do and can not do.

Looking forwards, I would say that mixing up your runs is the way to go. Rather than run 10Ks all the time, try one shorter, faster run like intervals and then a second steady Tempo run and then your longer slower run.

Having said that, with three weeks to go, there’s not a lot you can do that will add anything on the day and for the last week you should be tapering anyway. So perhaps try a few shorter runs to “save” your legs for the day.

If you want a pom pom shout-out from your VRBs then keep an eye out for the August Events post on the Marathon Forum!

[Me_time Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Hi Irishprincess , thank you for replying. I am not young and last HM was my first ever HM. I did not have much soreness except for a bit of shin pain after a couple of days and it lasted one day.

I dont know what I was thinking when I registered for this HM event. After reading your very sensible reply, I would back out if I could. But, I have already paid for the HM and booked accomodation

I just have to keep my fingers crossed and hope I dont injure myself.

What is 'pompom shout out' and 'vrb'?

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to Me_time]

Hi Me_time , vrbs are your "virtual running buddies." As for "pompom shout out," that's a weekly post over on the Marathon forum which lists people who are taking part in events, and invites people to post messages of support.

Great advice from both Irishprincess and nowster - definitely mix up your runs, and rest. Also, remember that you can always walk part of your HM if you want to.

[Me_time Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

Thanks Cmoi . Thats a good advise to walk if I feel too tired.I think I will post in the pompom shout out, I can do with some encouragement. This forum is always supportive and full of such great advice.

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to Me_time]

A post called something like Events for August will appear on the Marathon forum in a few days. Just reply to that with the date and name of your event Me_time , then we'll add you to the list and mention you the Friday before.

I think it'll be the day before in your case, hopefully you'll see the post before the event, bearing in mind the time difference!

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

Oops sorry Cmoi, I didn't read your reply until after I had posted the same thing!

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Nah, let's call it great minds Irishprincess ! xx

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

Of course!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Me_time]

The only bit I would add to Irishprincess 's excellent reply would be... it the weather is anywhere near as hot as it could get... forget the fee...forget the HM, and simply enjoy the accommodation as a short holiday break.Rus wait... and you will enjoy a them all the more x

[Me_time Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Hi Oldfloss , we are in the middle of winter at the mo. I just hope it doesnot rain on that day.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Me_time]

Right... I need to check locations!!! I did my first HM a week or so after there was snow... and it was a reallly hot day!

[Me_time Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

I am on the other side of the world with opposite seasons to where most of you are

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to Me_time]

Sorry that last sentence must have been confusing! Cmoi has explained it beautifully.

I’ll be sending out a new Events post for August this week so keep an eye out for it on the Marathon forum and you can give details of your HM and then on the Friday before your race you’ll get a mention and your buddies will give you lots of pom pom waves and messages of good luck. All good fun 🥳

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Having not run a HM, I'm not going to say too much here except please take note of the excellent advice given by Irishprincess .

[nowster Graduate10]

I have done at least one HM distance per month since my first in September last year.

Mix up the run lengths. Don't just do 10km runs. Do shorter ones too. Make sure you fit in rest days.

You might like to do a ten mile run two weeks before, but if you can't fit it in don't worry.

Make sure you get plenty of rest before the event.

[Me_time Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Hi nowster , thanks for replying. Since I have already paid for the HM & booked accomodation too, I cant really back out now. I was starting to feel I have made a huge mistake registering myself for this one based on IP's very sensible reply. Your advise is what I will follow & keep fingers crossed. I will try to do a 10mile nxt weekend and mix my runs. Thank you so much.

You doing one HM a month is a bit of consolation and hope I can pull it off too. You are much more fit though.

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Me_time]

My second HM was five weeks after my first. My third was three weeks later. My fourth was a week after that!

The last couple of months I've done about one every two to three weeks.

[Me_time Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Wow wow!

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Me_time]

You already know what running a HM feels like. You know what you need to do to prepare for one. You know what you need to take with you. You already know to start with a slower pace to conserve your energy for the later stages.

It's definitely possible. (If you were talking about a full marathon, that would be another thing entirely.)

If I wasn't giving someone a lift to church tomorrow morning I'd be severely tempted to do another in the morning before it gets hot here (31°C is forecast for the late afternoon).

[Me_time Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Yeah I read about the heat wave warning for UK. Stay inside for most of the day if poss. My runs these days are in temp ranges 8-10deg and I am finding it just perfect. Summer will probably feel too hot even though I started running in Summer. I didnt know how the cooler temps will be 😆

[Teresa1632 Graduate10]

Its perfectly do-able. Just take it steady in the day. You could look at the option of Jeffing it too - run/walk/run intervals. I'm an older (veteran) runner, and not fast either, and am doing two HMs this month. Do some shorter runs including hill repeats. Hydrate well the day before the HM.

Post run, take in some protein to help muscle recovery. I also find that putting on compression socks post run helps with muscle recovery

And don't forget the foam roller. and stretches.

Enjoy the run, talk to everyone on the way round. Remember, its not a trial for the Olympics, and so, take your time & finish well.

[Me_time Graduate10 in reply to Teresa1632]

Teresa1632 , thank you for the great advice. I am feeling more confident after reading ur reply!

[linda9389 Graduate10]

I'd say stop worrying! My training plan has me doing HM distance about a month before the real thing. In between is a mixture of runs, with a quiet week beforehand to rest the legs as IP says. I agree with IP - mix up your run lengths between now and then, try one longer run as Nowster says - anything from 12 to 16k, but make it a long slow easy one, then nothing above 5k in the last taper week. Have confidence, you have done the training and are ready, all that is left is to enjoy.Take a look at the pinned posts over on the marathon and race support forum that IP mentioned - there are lots of helpful posts there (and don't forget to claim your HM badge over there too). Good luck and have fun!!!

[Me_time Graduate10 in reply to linda9389]

linda9389 thats such a confidence boosting advice and kind of mixes everyone's suggestion. Gives me a clearer picture of what I would be doing for next 3 weeks. Love the support and top advice I always get in this forum ❤

[linda9389 Graduate10 in reply to Me_time]

Confidence boosting is exactly what you need over the next few weeks - you've already done the physical training, now it's time to concentrate on some mental training 😊

[Freecloud Graduate10]

Follow 80/20 rule, make sure that at least 80% of your runs are at a very easy or easy pace, even if that means close to waking distance. Look up vdot running calculator to get your easy running pace, and then look up half marathon training plans. There are plenty of them about and you could customise them to suit you. They normally involve 5 runs and 2 rest days with 1 long run at easy pace, 2 other easy timed runs an interval run and or a hill workout. I find the hills very hard and avoid and do another easy run instead.

I have been following these plans for a couple of months now. The first plan was way too intense and am now following an easy one and find it great.

It's also important to remember that you are there to enjoy the experience regardless of time. I started running in a few events at start of this year and have signed up to almost all in my area and will be very busy from next week to 3rd October with them all.