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Top training tips

AmbroseAmy profile image
9 Replies

I am very new to running only starting mid March and it's fair to say I am not a natural. I couldn't run for more than 2 minutes but have now managed just over 40 mins so I am slowly improving in duration.

I really want to get to a point whereby I can do a half marathon so am generally fishing for your top tips to improving, any advice greatly appreciated 🤗

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AmbroseAmy profile image
AmbroseAmy
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9 Replies
roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon

Have a goal, have a plan, stick with it as much as possible, but be kind to yourself :)

You've been doing amazingly well! I think the most important thing is that you enjoy at least some aspects of the exercise: Maybe the scenery, possibly the actual running, but most definitely the feeling you get after the run. You won't always feel the love, so take some time to look back and see how far you've come - you will be surprised!

AnnieW55 profile image
AnnieW55

What roseabi Said. But take your time getting to half marathon 5k, 10k, HM 😀.

You will notice all the advice to take it slowly during c25k, well the same rules apply most of the time after graduation. Try c25k+, they're not for everyone but will give you a taste of sprints and stamina. Stamina needs building before speed, that will follow. The usual prescription is a faster run, a hilly run and a longer slower run. Increasing your total Kim's by 10% a week. Basically keep going and you will get there. There are lots of apps to get you to 10k you just need to find one you like.

Congratulations on what you have achieved so far.

JoolieB1 profile image
JoolieB1

Make running regular, three times a week so it becomes a great habit without excuses (apart from injury)! Increase distance slowly to avoid injury, maybe 2 X 5k plus 1 X "long run"! Make it fun, plan running in different places, countryside is great at this time of year

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Marathon

Welcome... And well done on your journey so far. It's great to have a goal to aim for and I did the same after I graduated. The way I did it was to increase my runs each week ( long run Sunday), keep the 5k ( parkrun) and then add in an interval session like the speed podcast. I did also add in a 4 the run a week but you don't have to do that. A lot of people follow a devised training plan, these are good but I cannot comment as I never have!!! Good luck and I'm excited to see your journey progressing. Have you booked a half yet?

Eatcakeandrun profile image
EatcakeandrunMarathon

I like to follow a plan, even if I then play around with it a bit. I have used different ones in the past, Endomondo, all sorts of ones I have found on the Internet. This is the latest: womensrunning.competitor.co... which I like because it is mix and match depending on how many runs you want to do in a week. It took a bit of working out my plan because it's in miles and I like to work in kilometres, but now I have it written up and on the fridge! I also do a cross training type of class outside on a Saturday morning, so that is part of the plan too. It's seems quite challenging, it will be interesting to see how it goes. The Plan doesn't officially start until July ( I am working towards a half marathon at the end of September), so for June I am doing various runs like hills, 30:20:10 runnersworld.com/peak-perfo... and longer runs on Sundays.

The main thing is to enjoy it, and don't increase speed or distance too quickly or you will almost definitely end up with an injury! Also have an event in mind ( or actually entered for ) as this gives you a goal.

Good luck AmbroseAmy and let us know your progress!

Dunder2004 profile image
Dunder2004Half Marathon

Variety in your running is important and training for a half marathon should combine progressively longer - slower runs with shorter runs at various paces.

A structured Training plan (check out MyAsics) is probably your best route.

old_git profile image
old_gitMarathon

Good luck Amy. Lots of great advice above.

I remember the step up from 5k to 10k as being the most difficult. After that, if you stick to the 10% rule and fit in 3 or 4 runs a week, it builds up quite quickly. Once you are up to a 10 mile long run you can maintain that and be more or less ready for any Half Marathon.

After selecting the plan I wanted to follow, I put the planned runs in a diary and kept a very basic journal to record my progress. Things do get in the way of the plan, so you will need to be flexible, but I found having it written down, helped me reschedule if that happened. The journal also let me note if things were (or weren't) working.

At the end of the week I recorded my Strava data in the journal (distance covered, time taken) so I could see how I was improving.

Us blokes do tend to like our data!

I like to make a chart every three months that's achievable and not over optimistic and then tick each run off as I go along.

AmbroseAmy profile image
AmbroseAmy

Thanks so much everyone, appreciate the tips 🤗

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