I'm going to give it a go! HM

[Clairecandothis]

Hello all. Firstly I am so happy to see there is a forum for half marathon/marathon on here. This forum helped me get from no running in December to just finishing my first 10k official run yesterday! I am signing up for a half marathon in October and I will be looking for a plan to follow but still using the principle of 0to5k and JuJu's plan. One longer run and two gentle runs that push me. I'm still amazed I am running. A half marathon is serious though lol. I'm not looking to go too fast and I need to work on finding a consistent pace as I'm influenced by others on a race/run. My usual pace is between 6. Or 7. Mins a km. But I'm guessing slow and steady should become my mantra again! 😊🏃‍♀️

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Hello, and a big warm welcome to the forum!

Your pace sounds fine to me, and your three runs too. I'd suggest you include a little speed work, and a strength routine if you're not already doing that. Which half have you signed up for?

The main thing is that you enjoy your training, and that you keep posting on here because we are nosy

Good luck and have fun!!

[TedG Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Morning Abi, when you say a strength routine are you referring to basic muscle strengthening or weight training?

I can’t really do deadlifts due to a back problem 😖

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to TedG]

Both. But by all means adjust any routine to avoid hurting yourself! Sorry to hear about your back

[TedG Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

That’s OK, had the problem for 15yrs. It’s a degenerative condition that I’ve learned to live with.....thank goodness for modern running shoes 😀

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Hello. Thank you. I'd prefer to be within the 6 minutes consistently with my pace but I seem to start quicker and then slow down! Lol. I haven't been doing any strength or speed training but I've looked at my training plan and that has interval training and pace training so I'm guessing that's similar? I might do the strength training on the 0to5app as I didn't do it and some cardio on my rest days. A half marathon seems big but in 5 months I know it is achievable. 😊

Haha I'll post lol. My friend keeps swinging between Oxford half or the Blenheim half! Blenheim is closer but harder with hills! It's where I train though so I guess I'll just have to run up them more often! 🙈🤣😂 x

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Clairecandothis]

I didn't mention hill training, but it is absolutely wonderful for building speed and stamina, so go and run those hills

I have run the Oxford Half, and I loved it, but the Blenheim looks gorgeous!

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

It is beautiful, the scenery makes up for the hills lol. Is there a speed and strength routine you would recommend?

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Clairecandothis]

I tend to be fairly freestyle with my training so I cannot recommend a specific routine, but would include intervals of the type in the link below. I usually use spaces between lamp posts to pick my interval distances I don't have a heart rate monitor, but I have learnt how I feel at different paces so I use that to gauge effort. I like hill repeats too - pick a hill, run up it as fast as possible, jog or walk down again, repeat. For strength I am currently using a circuit training plan aimed at windsurfers, because i do a bit of that in season, but it's relevant to running too. Strengthen everything - shoulders, arms, chest, back, core, bottom, thighs, lower legs, feet. I use weights and bodyweight - classic examples of exercises for runners include pull-ups, pushups, planks, Romanian deadlifts, squats, calf raises. Rignold is running a burpee challenge at the moment - that's a killer but an excellent one! Enjoy

runnersworld.co.uk/training...

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

[TedG Half Marathon]

Go for it Claire, I would say stick to the 10% increase rule, that’s my intention 😊 My brother is trying to talk me into doing the Oxford half but it’ll only be a month after the GNR 🤔

How did it go yesterday? It was a blinding day and what a atmosphere with 4K runners 🏃‍♀️🏃

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to TedG]

Hi Ted.

Thank you. Yeah I'm now all about the distance not the speed! The Oxford half sounds easier than Blenheim, which is what my friend wants to do lol. She's faster than me and did Oxford last year! What's the GNR?

I loved Sunday. A gorgeous day if a little hot for me lol but a brilliant atmosphere. I ran all the way and did my fastest 10k so it was a good run. I'm looking for my next one now just to keep up momentum.... You did well with your run Sunday. Are you back on track now? 😊

[TedG Half Marathon in reply to Clairecandothis]

Hi Claire,

So glad you enjoyed Sunday and well done on your PB 👏. I was a minute outside my first 10k, did a 1’09” and I must confess I did a short walk break after my quads started to tighten up. Did some stretches and got on my way 🏃🏃

I’m getting back on track fitness wise, still a way to go but getting there. A bit behind training wise. I’ve joined the Eynsham Road Runners, nice bunch that caters for all abilities.

The GNR is The Great North Run in Newcastle, completely flat and 57k taking part 😊

I’ll keep my eye out for another 10k for you 😊

Take care and happy running 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[misswobble Marathon]

Good luck. Yep just go steady Some strength work too 💪🙂👍🏃‍♀️

[benwill Marathon]

Good luck i am sure your do well. You seem like you have a good idea slow and steady always wins the race.

[Eatcakeandrun Marathon]

Hello! And I am sure you CAN do this! Look for a plan that suits you and then stick to it loosely. Look forward to seeing how you get on.

[ju-ju- Marathon]

Hello, and this is so exciting for you.... yes slow and steady on your long runs is good, and you can let rip on your interval sessions which will help you overall.. keep posting on your progress

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

Hi Ju ju. Thank you. Your plan got me to my 10k! 😊🤗 Do you do a 10k to HM plan lol?! I've found a plan that takes 9 weeks to up to HM miles needed. I guess I need to start thinking miles and not Km now too lol. It has lots about pace and interval training so I'm guessing I'm on the right track. X

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to Clairecandothis]

I am so so pleased, well done! Based on what I have done and the same theory as the 10k plan. I have just put together the following for an 8 week plan to go from 10k to HM. For each week the two 5k's are one regular 5k and one interval workout :

Week 1: 5 interval 10

Week 2: 5 interval 12

Week 3: 5 interval 14

Week 4: 5 interval 14 ( consolidation week)

week 5: 5 interval 16

week 6: 5 interval 18

Week 7: 5 interval 18 ( consolidate week)

Week 8: 5 interval 21.... HM

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

And as your running gets stronger you could add in an extra run each week when you are ready....

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

You are fab thank you. 😊😊 What is interval training? Is that stop start?

[TedG Half Marathon in reply to Clairecandothis]

For me it’ll be 5min run at pace 1min brisk walk. 5 reps increasing each week......well that’s my interpretation 😂🤓

[Alicecullen]

If you are starting to run, how do you get out of feeling self conscious and confidence to running on your own and please advise what plans to use to motivate yourself to start running.

Many thanks

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Alicecullen]

I wore jogging bottoms and a hoody to stsrt with. I was 2 sizes bigger than I am now and had given birth 4 months before. It was easier in January as it was cold but the dark nights meant I had to run in the day. I started with the 0to5k app and followed that advice. But my mindset was yes I'm going to look a bit stupid maybe, and red when I'm out of breath, which I did and still do go red.... But I figured I had to just do it and start. My first run was my most self conscious, I started with pushing my pushchair too. But I had my headphones on and if you don't make eye contact no one really takes any notice of you. I got more self conscious as I could run further as I thought I should be quicker or look like a runner lol. Now I just don't care. I don't look graceful when I run but I love the feeling I get after a run and the mood boost and toning up all helps. Anyone looking is most likely wishing they could run. And the best bit of advice that stayed with me was no one knows how far you've run for! 😊🏃‍♀️

[Alicecullen in reply to Clairecandothis]

Well done you thats great. Thank you for the support, great im going.Whats the best app to use then to start with? What does 5 interval to 10 mean from Juju advice?

[Alicecullen in reply to Alicecullen]

sorry i meant i am going to try it.xx

[Alicecullen]

Sorry and to build confidence to run.

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

You can do this! If anyone tells you it's demanding, difficult, hard to train, just laugh back in their faces like Jack Nicholson did in The Shining while clapping your thigh with a clenched fist. (holding a chain is optional)

I went with this, check it out:

halhigdon.com/training/5113...

There are no speed demands, it's easy to follow.

Good luck & keep us posted!

[Rammy75 Half Marathon]

I use this plan (almost at the end!) although I did tweak it a little!

snackinginsneakers.com/half...