HM training - taking the long view (ramble warning)

[AnnieW55]

I started c25k is August 2012, after many years of trying and failing to run. So like hundreds, thousands? Of people I owe this site, Laura (and Julie 😂) much gratitude.

I've never been fast and never will be but that doesn't matter what does matter to me is that I am out there running and more often than not enjoying it. I do prefer to run by myself and am fortunate to live in an area of "undulating" 😏 Trails and roads giving me a variety of runs (except in the dark days of winter when out and backs 😠 tend to prevail). Avoiding hills is just not possible unless I drive somewhere which I won't do. I have entered a handful of 5, 10 and HMs but mainly run these distances by myself, lack of bling overcome by the virtual runs 😀. Over the time since graduating I have always said I can't run when it's hot and have curtailed many a run as heat just made it too hard for me.

For my events I have used My Asics but never actually completed a plan. Last year I abandoned twice and missed out on 2HMs due to lack of training through, minor, ill health. Even having paid to enter didn't incentivise me to walk round.

Anyway to early this year and struggling to retain any kind of form (I use the term loosely) I decided to go back to My Asics and started in March training for an HM at the end of October with no pressure to enter - if it's full when I decide to then that's fine as I'll get the benefit of the training and can run the distance from home (I even mapped myself a mainly off-road route while out this morning). The big change for me is that all of a sudden I have been able to run in heat - even the heatwave of June when we were in France and it was in the 40s, although not quite that when I ran it was still high 20s, early 30s, go me. And I am now running at a pace I achieved 3 years ago with my fastest km for 2 years run as my last km this morning. There's still a long way to go before October but if, for once, I get to the Asics finish line I will be more than pleased and getting to the HM finish line will be the icing on the cake.

Sorry for the ramble. Usually I compose posts when out on my run that never see the light of the forum. So I'm indulging myself this once as, in the words of Queen (more or less) I am having such a great time.

[C3PO Marathon]

It looks like you're on to something. Keep up the good work!

[AnnieW55]

Thanks. Yes looks like this is the way forward for me for now 😀. A continuous experiment!

[Maddee_6333 Half Marathon]

Really hope you get to do your HM, it sounds like you deserve it.

[AnnieW55 in reply to Maddee_6333]

Thanks. I have decided - I'm doing it . I saw last night that entries are open until 25th Oct, so plenty of time to part with the cash!

[ju-ju- Marathon]

It sounds like your training and running generally is really progressing. I am so with you- running in the heat is incredibly hard but is doable... well done

[AnnieW55 in reply to ju-ju-]

Thanks ju-ju- I just hope I'm not peaking too soon 😮

[ancientrunner Half Marathon]

Good luck - sounds like you're doing well. I do that same thing composing posts I never write - gets you through tho'.

[AnnieW55 in reply to ancientrunner]

Thanks. I just have to be careful of getting too deep in thought, it slows me down sometimes!

[Beastie_MCCXIX]

great job, I'm too a plodder at running cannot run fast but can do some distance. well done on remaining focused that's the hard part and consistency is key. looks like you are well prepared.

[AnnieW55 in reply to Beastie_MCCXIX]

Thank you. It was quite a good goody bag last time and a decent Tshirt. All helps with motivation 😚. Beginning to look forward to it.

[Valcart]

That sounds brilliant!

[Katie204 Half Marathon]

Nice work, Annie! I am slogging through HM training at the moment, and your persistence and speed achievements are an inspiration. I get moments when I hit the "sweet spot" of running and I chug along with no problem, but it is still mostly a case of "1% inspiration, 99% perspiration" for me!

[AnnieW55]

Thank you. Yep, that "sweet spot" is both elusive and addictive! Good luck with your training. When is your event?