Hi all, this is my first post with this community after the safety net of c25k which I started in April with the aim of running the Cardiff half marathon on October 7th 🏃🏽♀️🙄
I graduated c25k beginning of June then consolidated July and part of August mainly because of the warm weather and I was a bit scared of going further. Plus I kept telling myself the half was months and lots of weeks away.
My stomping ground has been the gorgeous Monmouthshire and Brecon canal and the only company apart from the cows, sheep, horses and herons have been the sporadic cyclists, dog walkers and canal barges we see. The we includes my long suffering ex mil hubby who can do this in his sleep but is so patient and supportive and blooming lovely to me.
However, it’s fair to say my anxiety has been building slightly as I have always felt self conscious and I tend to slow down or sometimes stop when people are around. I was overweight to start with and its not really changed but I can feel it’s shifted around body and my legs have definitely lost flab and gained firmness.
So apologies for the long winded message but really I’m just wondering how on earth I’m going to cope with 25,000 other runners and having company along route and people watching from the sidelines. My hubby has said quite rightly that people won’t be watching just us and at least we will all be heading the same way and I won’t have to duck under bridges and people will be encouraging not judging. But really can’t explain how nervous and anxious I am and I haven’t told family or friends I’m even doing it as feel so conscious.
Any tips would be so welcome as I just don’t know what to expect and how to stop worrying about other people and will I slow them down or feel too hemmed in. I want to enjoy it and achieve something but worry my nerves will get better of me. Jo
Written by
JoBC
Half Marathon
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
First off, hello and welcome! 👋 Second, congratulations on your amazing progress! To go from C25k to HM in any time is a brilliant achievement, to do so after starting in April is something to be very proud of. I can understand not telling anyone, sometimes the pressure we put on ourselves is quite enough without other people getting involved! But it's going to feel amazing when you casually let them know you've just finished the Cardiff half 😁
I know that nothing we can say can truly allay your anxiety, but remember a good chunk of those people you'll be running with will be first timers in a very similar position, and I bet a much bigger amount—including those that have done tonnes of running events—will be absolutely swirling with nerves! In the nicest possible way, no one will be paying you any mind. All those 24999 other people will be so preoccupied with their own run that you'll find a far greater freedom than you usually do running alone! That's not to say anyone is unfriendly of course, quite the opposite 😊
Do you have any parkruns nearby? The atmosphere isn't quite the same, but it might help to take the edge off the anxiety a smidge if you're not going from 1 to 25000! It's also really lovely to see a full spectrum of other runners, when you run alone your view of yourself and the type of runner you are can get very skewed.
Whatever happens, and you'll hear it a lot and I know we can't force you to believe it, but you genuinely will enjoy yourself. The fears you have now will entirely disappear on the day. You'll have some nerves, of course, but they'll be the normal sort mixed with excitement too! And you'll be so proud of yourself, as will your husband. And rightly so 😄
Thank you for your response and I know you are 100% right.
It’s funny as I know before my anxiety centred around could I do the distance but we’ve done ten miles so feel even if I have to crawl the last bit I will do distance.
Think it’s just the nerves and like you said everyone there is to either do it or spur loved ones on.
Sqkr has put it beautifully, most of those runners will be feeling the same things as you. The crowds will be cheering and supportive. Many kids along the route will be preoccupied with getting as many high-fives of passing runners as they can. The supporting spectators along the route will come mostly from friends and family of those running, who will be all too aware of how much effort and hard work has been put into getting to the start line.
Pre-race nerves are normal, even for veteran runners. They have just learnt to live with theirs. When I get nervous before a race, I remind myself it is just a run.
Thank you and exactly like you said everyone there is to either do it or spur loved ones on. Fingers crossed it will be dry and everyone taking part will have a fab time - me included 👍🏻
I've no advice I'm afraid Jo as I haven't done anything other than parkruns yet but I just wanted to wish you all the best with the race.
We started and graduated couch25k at around the same time and I remember you mentioning the half marathon. I'm sure you'll love it - have a great time x
Hope all is going well for you, family and your running. I remember your tales about the park runs and how well you were doing and how much more braver you were than me attempting them 👍🏻
Yes the half is nearly here and as you can probably gather all my anxieties have surfaced that I had when first taking on c25k. I must admit I never thought I would get to anywhere near this so think that’s part of it. I’m usually so good at giving up but guess this running lark has actually got under my skin a bibit and I just want to achieve something 🏃🏽♀️
Thank you for your message it’s lovely to hear off one of my old classmates 😊🏃🏽♀️👍🏻 and I definitely need to remember to look at c25k group again as their a lovely bunch Xx
Hi JoBC, first of all a massive congrats for getting to a HM from April! I thought I’d done well (also started in April, my second 10k race was yesterday), but you are really flying!
My sister will be running in the Cardiff HM and tried to persuade me to join her (we ran the Cardiff 10k together) but the Cardiff HM came just a bit too soon for me and instead I’ll be doing a HM in March.
So first point - many congrats on that.
I can speak from the experience of being a newbie runner in big races - there were some 7,000 runners in the Cardiff 10k and that was my first ever race.
It was pretty daunting, but what you immediately realise is that runners (including experienced, good runners, a lot better than me) come in all shapes and sizes, and I mean all!! During the Cardiff race, I was passed by people who looked very unfit, was passed by people who were Jeffing all the way around (there were lots of those), and I still came in with what I regarded as a decent time.
There’s also not really any need to feel self-conscious, as no-one takes any notice of you at all, they are all far too busy doing their own thing.
Speaking personally, as someone who is an overweight runner who almost killed themselves doing W1R1 of C25K (!), I can honestly say I am always much more impressed with other overweight runners who are getting out there and just doing it, rather than the skinny young things for whom running and racing is virtually no challenge at all. Of course that’s a sweeping generalisation, no offence to the youngsters out there, but hopefully you get the point!
So enjoy the race, enjoy the big race atmosphere, enjoy the buzz of the crowd, enjoy the adrenaline of running with so many other runners, do take it steady (it is so-ooo tempting to start fast!) and make sure you finish that race with a smile on your face.
Thank you for your reply and I am glad there are like minded people like me out there who feel it’s all a bit daunting.
Big well done on your 10K you must be chuffed 🤗
Must admit I do miss c25k as it was such a positive experience and obviously works as got us to where we are now 🏃♂️🏃🏽♀️
It’s funny you saying about all shapes and sizes as I started this probably a size 18-20 and I’m now about a size 16-18 so haven’t really shifted that much in this time but hope I’m a chubster who can run a bit now 😉👍🏻
Whatever happens I will make sure I have a smile on my face and I have to finish if only for the free pint and the medal. 🍺🏅
Keep up the good work and good luck with your training for the half in March 👍🏻
No-one knows you. There’s anonymity in a big crowd. You’re a grown up, you can hack this stuff It’s going to be FUN 😃. As soon as you set off you’ll start to giggle 😁. Honestly it’s a blast 💪😃. Who knew 🤷♀️
So, woman up. go for it you don’t have to win, you don't have to be fast, you can walk when you need to. It’s not serious so don’t worry 👍😃🏃♀️🏅
When it’s over you’ll be given a medal and a banana. make for the nearest cuppa tea and cake and start thinking about your second race 💪
Glad I’m not the only one dreaming about running. Like you I’m training for my first HM in October and now so nervous about the crowd and transport logistics that it’s keeping me awake at night.
But hopefully we’ll have fun and do ourselves proud. X
I have a local one on the Sunday before, but my running buddy (who can't run much but gives me heaps of support and runs vicariously through me) talked me into doing a half marathon and wants to come and support me, but can't do Sundays as he's a pastor at his church. The Windsor Autumn half is on a Saturday and a very flat route which will hopefully be ideal for my first outing at this distance.
Wow well done Jo! I stated C25k in April too but just about to do my 1st 10k race on Oct 6. I’m nervous too but I think that goes with the territory. You’ve worked hard to get to this point so be proud of that!
I’m not going for a PB or any planned idea of what I’ll be doing apart from running my race.
Try not to put pressure on yourself with things knowone will take notice of or care about. They’ll just be in awe of all of you running a HM. 🙌🏼🏃🏻♀️🏃🏻♂️🏃🏻♀️🏃🏻♂️🏃🏻♀️
Sending lots of good wishes to you. I’m sure you’ll do great! X
Best of luck for your first race too and I’m site you will smash it. I’m exactly the same and am trying not to worry about the time but would like to try and do it in reasonable time but think as long as we finish that’s an achievement.
Hope the weather stays fine for us both and we cross the line still smiling 🤗 big cwtch and lots of good wishes back to you xx
Good luck! XxI feel it too Flick - my first 10k race in 2 weeks and nervous. I know I can run it but mixture of excitement and nerves. It’s a very popular weekend event so thousands of people around! 😳 x
Anybody watching will admire you for giving it a go. I would say get your stuff ready the night before and get there in plenty of time for the long queues at the portaloos, and have something warm to put on when you finish. .
I intend wearing all my old comfortable gear and socks just as I know they can do the job without hurting or chaffing me!! Must admit I’m not looking forward to the the portaloos at all so will try and last without for as long as possible!!! I do need to have a look at the dos and dont’s a bit more as not got a clue what I’m taking yet. I haven’t even opened up my race pack envelope but will do this weekend.
You’re doing a HM?! I graduated in April and not doing a HM til next May. I’m slacking! Good luck! I get stressed before a ParkRun but once you set off you’ll be fine. I’m sure loads are the same! Oh and don’t tell anyone until after you’ve done it. Then surprise them all 👌🏽
Hi Tasha I kind of set myself a target of running half before I hit milestone birthday next year. I felt if I didn’t do it the hard way I wouldn’t do It. So the c25k was the start but before about seven weeks ago I hadn’t done more than 10K but tried to up it each week to get into double figure mile runs.
You sound like your doing it the right way and your right I don’t think I’m going to tell anyone. Good luck with your running 🏃🏽♀️ xz
Others have said it here really well. You only have to think about your own race. Everyone will have some jitters. I did my first few races alone and they were fine once we got going. The supporters cheering total strangers on is actually quite touching and if you go in with the goal of having fun then you’ll be sure to have some great memories. No worries, you’ve got this!
Fantastic progress from a Spring c25k to HM! Kudos!
I can only repeat what others have said and that nobody will take blind bit of notice of you on the day! It might even feel a bit anonymous tbh! Why do you think people have to wear fancy dress to get noticed?!
Thank you Lordi.. anonymous would suit me just fine and if I could do it in an invisible big bubble in pj’s I would! 😉👍🏻
Must admit after starting c25k in the spring I now know my favourite months are April and May as the canal was beautiful. Think the roads of Cardiff will be a bit harder but still scenic as lovely city 🌃
Really good luck with your HM! I think many of us have those nerves before runs - I certainly do! But these big organised events are wonderful and you will soon get caught up in the whole atmosphere and, as others have said, will be surrounded by runners of all different shapes, sizes and abilities. It's great that you will be running it with your husband too, I think that will help. Think about that lovely shiny bling at the end of it too!🏃🏽♀️🏅😀
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
First Ever Real Life Run and it’s a HM - Aaahhhhh Nervous!!
My first real race (GSR)
first ever half Marathon done
Ran my first ever HM! 
