I am getting ready for my first HM and as usual before an event. (I say event because I do not have a competitive bone in my body, something i didn't know till learning to run). My training has gone to pot. I had to pull up before the end of a 10km run the other day and only managed 1km earlier in the week. It always seems to happen this way. I know I can do 17km so I am trying to tell my brain that's enough, work on confidence runs and taper. I don't think I can face another rubbish run, it dents my confidence. I have one more 17km to do According to the plan but I did do an extra 17km earlier so I have done 2. Just start my taper next week or push for the 17km? I know someone will have wise words.
On the plus side me and my hubby went for a 9km walk this week, which was fanatsic.
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Realfoodieclub
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Hmm. Oh dear. I'm afraid I have no experience with the half marathon distance, but two colleagues recently did the Reading Half. One tapered and felt he was rested for the distance. The other one carried on. He didn't do as well as expected, but the other chap thought that was because he hadn't tried the full distance and therefore struggled to pace himself on the day. Lesson: just listen to your body and don't start off too fast on the day.
That's important. I learnt that lesson on my swimathon last Friday. I set off so fast I was out of breath at the end of the first Len. I had to tell myself to stop chasing the guy in front. I think it was excitement. I will watch that on race day. I promise to listen to my body, thanks.
oh dear, I'm sure you will be fine, especially if you don't go there with the idea of finishing in 1 hour! I'll let you know how I get on Sunday week ... have a 16 km run tomorrow, and it will be my longest before the HM !
1 hour! No way. I am hoping For near a 3 hour mark. Are you doing your event the same day as me May 10th? I knew yours was coming up soon. Good luck with your 16km, hope the weather is kind to you.
Thanks you it's next week, the 3rd - I'm aiming at about 3 1/4 hours, as the t 5 k are all uphill! I am all for run/walk, I've now really proven to myself that it takes me the same time to run all the way for 8 k or to run/walk, with the difference that with the run/walk I am not shattered at the end!
I think if you're up to 17k you will be fine. Just take things steady and run your own race. Just before mine, like you, my training got scuppered and I was thinking I wouldn't be able to do it, but on the day I just went out and enjoyed it so much. I think I would just do a really slow 10k in the next week and then taper. If you really aren't worried about what time you do it in you will crack it. Go and enjoy! x
You're allowed bad runs I had a few on my HM training.....a great non stop 12 miler 2 weeks before the event and then it all went to pot on the day and after 4.5miles I found myself walking. I say you never can predict a run.....therefore take it as it comes.....go for the 17k, if it doesn't feel right....cut it short, as you say you've already done 2 and know you can. All the best for your HM
Thank you. I will go out for a fun run and see where that takes me. Maybe I will do 17 but if I don't at least I won't feel bad. As you say you can never tell.
Whoever said you can't have a bad run? They just come along now and again like a dose of flu and pass just as quickly. As you know, I'll be in the Hackney race too and although it will be my first HM race, I've done enough 10k races to know that the occaision itself will get that extra 4.1k out of you. A colleague of mine who has been running for years said that 10 miles, so 16k or so give or take, was more than enough for a HM and there you are at 17 already!
Assuming we can find eachother amongst the thousands of others, I'm sure I'll see up you at the start line and I'm sure you'll be OK.
Thank you. I am hoping the crowd will help. I got my number this week as well. 5394. So cool. Your training has sounded good, you aced your mock event. good luck. I am hoping to get there around 8.15 but I think it is going to be manic.
I'm number 4114. I want to get there early, but my normal trains (first stop Stratford!) aren't running because of the dreaded scheduled engineering works. It's the Central Line to Leyton from distant Epping for me, so I don't think I'll get there as early as I'd like.
I'm racing on 10th May so I'll send you positive vibes. I'm not running as far as you though but it's a big uphill section so I'm not relishing the prospect.
You'll be fine on race day as adrenaline will get you round. It's new, it's interesting and it will be busy so you won't have time to think too much as you'll be taking everything in. If you've done the prep, and eat and drink right in the week before race day you'll be good to go.
Thanks, I will send some back too. Your right now for me it's going to be the food. If I'm not fed properly my body hates running. Already got my breakfast planned and tested.
OK.... Have you established what it was that made you stop/ feel bad? Was it tiredness, gremlins, pain? It could be your body is telling you its exhausted in which case cut back...BUT if you think its the gremlins have at least 4 mechanisms up your sleeve to kill them. I recommend:
1. Your mantra- shouted if needed
2. Count...trees, lines, lampposts. Sounds daft but it works
3. So its 17k, write on a piece of paper 4k, 8k, 12k and 16k. Take it with you.These are your 'breaks' rip a hole at each milestone and take a treat for each one. The sense of achievement is huge
4. Change route- dont do the same one as you did for the bad run
You may not want to do any of this but these are the things I have found work for me. I Know you can do this RFC hang in there and take each step at a time...we are all right behind you
Thanks JJ. I will definitely use your three tips next time I go out. Every event I have done I have lost it in the two weeks before. This time I was a bit more prepared for it and trained to finish a week or two in advance if needed. Same thing for my big swim last week two weeks before was struggling. It must be mental I am usually fine on the day. Thank you so much for the advice. Happy panthering.
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Now I know why we have rest days!
It's been a while...but lots have happened... Graduated... asthma attacks, Santa fun runs...
Not posted before but have just finished the programme.
I thought this was supposed to get easier?
Its not always a level playing field - bad runs.....not 'those' runs ;-)
