Oh dear! What have I done?!🤦‍♀️

[Meanmommab]

I usually run on my own but saw a new daytime running group advertised in my town so thought I would give it a go. The run was well out of my comfort zone running on trails in the country rather than pavements and with lots of hills which I hate. I really enjoyed it though and the company spurred me on and in the euphoria of having a great new experience I seem to have agreed to train for my first 1/2 marathon! In the cold light of another beautiful day I now wonder what got into me! To run 1/2 marathon distance is my goal for this year but the race is in May and one of the toughest in the country apparently! Help!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

I have a habit of doing this sort of thing too! In the cold light of day, I would sit down and be really realistic about whether it’s achievable in the time you’ve got and considering the recent running experience you’ve had. Does it have a cut off time? How much time can you commit to training each week? There’s always the option to walk/run which could still be a brilliant experience.

Is there someone at the running club you could have a frank chat about it with?

It might be worth asking for advice over on the marathon running and race support board. There’s a load of expertise there and maybe even people who have run your race.

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

[Meanmommab Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you. Knew I would get good advice here.😁

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Meanmommab]

I’d signed up for a 10k before finishing c25k and a HM before I’d even done 10k! I know that “ what have I done” feeling well! Hopefully it’ll look doable when you see how many weeks you’ve got and your starting point.

I’ve got one coming up in five weeks-it’ll be my second but I’ve been ill and missed some training. I’m looking at run/walking depending on how I can pick it up again. The NRC plan is what I used to build up-it’s great. Your club might have something they’re following. I’d have a look and see if how you’ve been running recently roughly matches where you’d be slotting in.

Really good luck with whatever you end up doing!

[Meanmommab Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you.

[Cmoi Graduate10]

Hi   Meanmommab , I'm all for challenging yourself. My one and only marathon to date was on trails and is tough enough to be part of the UTMB World Series.I did it because I wanted to. You run for you, not to please others.

If your only reason for doing this HM is because someone talked you into it, I'd say don't. It's the second time recently I've read about a running group doing this, and it really annoys me. Supporting and encouraging someone who's on the verge of signing up for a race and has sufficient motivation and experience to enable them to train properly is great.

However, imo pushing someone to do a demanding event well ahead of their schedule is inappropriate, unfair and risky. That particularly applies to trail events where you don't have support and aid stations all along the route, and easy emergency services access.

  MissUnderstanding is absolutely right to point out the practical considerations, and I'd add that if it's genuinely a tough trail race you'll be walking as well as running anyway. I'd also recommend that if you do decide to go for it you gear your preparation to running trails. Most HM plans seem to be designed for road races.

Which event is it btw?

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

That’s a really good point about it being potentially being a trail half-that hadn’t even crossed my mind. It probably won’t surprise you to know I completely agree about the pressure to enter events being totally out of order! My over enthusiastic entering of races has all come from me. It’s harder to not get carried away when it’s someone standing right in front of you egging you on!

[Meanmommab Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

No pressure but useful to have a plan. If things go well I will run the race, if not, nothing lost and increased fitness, new friends etc. to be gained.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Meanmommab]

I think it just brought back an awkward conversation I had recently where my local club were asking me to join their latest half and fundraise with them. Really glad it wasn’t like that for you!

Really good luck with your training! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Meanmommab Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Definitely not like that! Think a bit of encouragement is what I need to actually make some progress.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Meanmommab]

Fantastic! Sometimes being taken right outside our comfort zone is just what we need as long as we’re sure we’re physically ready for it. Really good luck. You’ll get loads of encouragement on here and over on marathon too! I really enjoyed training for my half and I’m sure you will too!

[Meanmommab Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you.😁

[Meanmommab Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

They didn't push me into it. I have been working towards the distance on my own and the idea is to train with the idea of running the race but no pressure. It just seems more 'real' when someone else is involved.😁

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to Meanmommab]

Ah OK. If you're motivated, then go for it. Do come over and chat on Marathon as well!

[Meanmommab Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

I will now that I know about it! 🤦‍♀️Am learning more about this forum every day!😁

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Wow that was brave of you but you'll be ready

[Chinkoflight]

Oh dear, I have a wedding invite!