October 7th sees me joining the multi half marathon list! My 2nd half marathon of 2018 and after only 15 months of running. This time its the Lowestoft half marathon, the most easterly on the UK mainland. Training has gone well with the local Lowestoft running club (Lowestoft road runners) hosting weekly sessions on the course, as its a 2 lap course its handy to get a feel of what's in store and also work on 10k pace whilst working out which bits are going to kill me on the day. As is customary for these events there is a steep hill, its nasty, short and has to be done twice but other than that there are only a couple of minor(ish) slopes. Although I'm not going to go crazy (finishing is a major achievement in itself) it would be nice to knock a few minutes off my Norwich half marathon time of 2:31:25 from April.
The weekly training on the course is an eye opener for the relative beginner, I still count myself as a newbie even after a year and a bit and all the Parkruns etc), as the club runners impart such fantastic advice which I'd never have considered before. Each week it seems more comfortable and the pace is near where I think I need to be, just a little word in the ear from an experienced runner can help enormously. A major help recently was the appearance at training of Paul Evans, the Olympic 10,000 metre finalist and former Chicago marathon winner, who comes from Lowestoft. If such a high level athlete can be so unassuming and turn up to a local club to give advice to the likes of me then you know you've chosen the right pastime to get yourself fit and challenge yourself!
Not long to go, I'll write a report of my day once that's been and gone then it's into 2019 and training for the City of Norwich HM for April.
TTFN!
Written by
lardofale
Half Marathon
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Ooo it must be brilliant being able to properly train on the course! I've done a few events where I've done the run before in training mode, but never in a targeted way. That means no excuses though—we'll expect to see a triumphant run and report as a result! 😁
My hm was in my city so running parts of the route on my training runs was great. My last long runs took in most of the route which made it feel so much more familiar. I found it easy to break it down into sections for mental preparation as well. I have the new forest 10k this weekend and I have no idea on the route although described as flat. It feels really strange but I will have to take it as it comes! Looking forward to hearing how you get on in Lowestoft.
Sounds like your training is going really well and that you have had lots of support and guidance...I guess Chicago marathon winners know their stuff! Well done, too on your fantastic progress over the last 15 months, that is quite a journey! Good luck in October!🙂
Sounds like you are getting well prepped for the race. And it must be great to get advice from a marathon winner! Looking forward to reading all about your upcoming adventure. I have my second HM later in October as well.
It's certainly handy to see how such people prepare and hearing the advice passed over to even very experienced runners. I'm looking forward to it, the mental block disappeared after doing the first one so it's just a case of making sure my legs, heart and lungs work on the day!
Yes I am looking forward to mine as well. I can relate to having inspiring people around. Our run leader is a multi ultra marathon runner and cancer survivor so its not hard to take advice from him🙂
Hi - good luck with the run, sure will be fine (save some energy for the short sharp hills)... I'm doing the Royal Parks Half in October (first one for 18 months since injury)... but secretively looking forward to it....
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