pushing on every week

[balgate]

so completed couch to 5k in July and now pushing for my half marathon in October, it blows my mind that in march I was struggling with running for three mins and now I’m averaging 25 miles a week. I’m now running four times a week on a training plan and Sunday is my mileage day so 8 miles await me this afternoon , really look forwards to the long runs now

[Dendev75 Graduate10]

Wow amazing progress! Did you build up to 10k from 5k first using a plan? This is where I’m at now. I’m giving the magic plan a try (on week 2).

[balgate in reply to Dendev75]

Hi, I used the red bull half marathon beginners plan, it’s quite intense as only 10 weeks from 5k to 13 miles so might not be everyone’s cup of tea, what’s the magic plan ??

[Dendev75 Graduate10 in reply to balgate]

Wow that does sound intense - you’ve done so well. It’s called Ju-Ju’s magic plan and is 3 runs per week, either using time or distance. I’m doing time so it’s similar to ct5k - it has one short run 15-20 mins) one 30 min run then the third one starts at 35 mins then increases each week until on week 8 you hit 60 mins - I’ll give it a go (I can’t run 5k in 30 mins so I know I won’t hit 10k in 60).

[dijep Graduate10]

Wow that's progress 👍It's amazing what we can't achieve when we try.

Enjoy your 8 miles

Good luck with the HM plan.

[Cmoi Graduate10]

Hi balgate , well done on your progress, but please do be careful. Four runs and 25 miles a week is a lot so soon after C25K, and if you're "pushing it" into the bargain you might well end up with an overuse injury.

I'm speaking as someone who did her first half-marathon distance five months to the day after starting C25K, on two or three runs a week and around half the mileage you're doing.

[balgate]

morning thanks for the reply, my run is in five weeks time, i would just be worried that on half the mileage i wouldnt get anywhere near the miles i need to stand a chance of finishing on the day, my sunday runs are now up to 9-10 miles then a recovery run on tuesday of around 4 miles, then a tempo run etc, if i cut the runs right back do you think i would still be in a comfortable place to do 13 miles in a few weeks ??

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to balgate]

I’m a new(ish) runner following the NRC HM plan for my first one in six weeks. Couch to 5k started in January, 10k race in June. I’m up to ten miles on my longest run. My weekly mileage is “only” roughly 25k. That’s about 15 miles a week, but I’ve had a fair few weeks where it’s been less. I’m trusting the programme and confident I’ll finish on the day. For me, the thing that’s going to limit me most is getting injured.

Are you pushing for a fast time?

[balgate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Hi, not at all focused on any time just to finish will be great. like you I found a plan and im following it to the letter, its the red bull HM beginners plan and was spread over ten weeks which is what time i had, its designed for someone starting week one to be able to run 5k so it tied in with finishing Couch to 5K, im putting my trust in the plan and trying to follow it as well as possible, im also using recover from strava to make sure im stretching properly and icing the following day if i get any niggles, i started using protein after my runs as well to just help a bit so trying everything i can

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to balgate]

I’ve been doing 3 or 4 of the five runs available, prioritising the long run. That feels better for a beginner runner like me than doing every single run. I did them all when I could spread them over a longer period than a week but now I’ve caught up with real life, I’m skipping one of the speed runs for a rest day or very short easy run instead. Plans are helpful guides but it’s still important to think about your individual circumstances.

Sending lots of good luck to you! Which one are you doing? Bath is mine.

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to balgate]

Hi again balgate , if you're already running 9-10 miles at the weekends you'll be fine to complete a HM. You don't need to run the distance before the day.

I'm definitely in favour of "quality over quantity, less is more" when it comes to training. I didn't even train for my first HM distance, just added on a bit more to longer runs when I felt like it until I got there. (Marathon training was a very different matter.)

I just googled the beginners' Red Bull plan and it looks pretty full-on to me. It says it's for "a regular runner looking to take on your first-half marathon.... Before getting started, you should be comfortable running 5km non-stop, and training three to four times per week." To me, that's not the profile of someone who's just finished C25K, and the fact that the plan builds a lot of mileage quickly and includes runs on consecutive days and concerns me.

So, as you say you're looking to complete rather than achieve a fast time, I would definitely dial back on what you're doing. You don't need endless miles in your legs, and certainly don't want to get injured. Good luck!