Thinking of a half marathon

[Sigered]

Hello everybody. This is my first post on the Marathon forum.

I completed C25K last year, moved up to 10k and i am gradually extending the runs further and today ran my furthest distance yet, 13k. So, now I am thinking that the next step on my running journey is a half marathon.

I have been looking at the Royal Parks half in October and the ballot for it opens soon. Time wise this would suit me as it gives me plenty of time to get comfortable running 10k regularly before starting a half marathon plan in time for the race.

Would anyone recommend this race for a first half marathon? Any other advice for a first timer would be welcome.

[Biddy62 Half Marathon]

Hi

I don’t have any advice as I’m in the same position as you (tho first 10k race this coming Sunday) and waiting for the ballot to open 😬😊. Thought I’d enter and if I get a place then it’s meant to be. I’ll be following this with interest and maybe following you along the course 😂😂

Hope it works out for us both 😊. Good luck.

[Sigered Half Marathon in reply to Biddy62]

My minds made up, I'll be entering the ballot tomorrow when it opens and then take it from there. If not successful then I'll find another instead.

Good luck with the 10k on Sunday!!

[Biddy62 Half Marathon in reply to Sigered]

Thanks! Is it tomorrow it opens? I thought it was 1st Feb. Thanks for the tip. Let us all know if you get a place 😊

[Sigered Half Marathon in reply to Biddy62]

The email I received said it opened on 29th January and closed at 5pm on 6th February.

[Sigered Half Marathon in reply to Biddy62]

I entered the ballot today and should find out on the 8th February if I was successful.

[Biddy62 Half Marathon in reply to Sigered]

Good luck. I think I’m going to go for a charity place as I always intended to run it for charity. For Alzheimer’s Society. I’ll let you know 😃

[Sigered Half Marathon in reply to Biddy62]

I just got an email saying that I was successful and got a place in the ballot!

It's getting a bit serious now!

[Biddy62 Half Marathon in reply to Sigered]

Congratulations!! Yes - you’re committed now 🤣

I’m in too tho I just went straight fora charity place. Might see you on the start line 🤣🤣. Good job it’s not til October- need to do some serious training. Best of luck. .

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Hello, and a big warm welcome to the forum!!!

I have not run the Royal Parks Half, but as a pretty flat, and very scenic, event with great crowd support, I think it will be a fabulous first half marathon!

Your plan to practice 10ks for a while and then start a HM plan sounds very sensible. Take your time, and enjoy planning out and running new routes! And in choosing an autumn race, you get the best part of the year to train through 😊😊😊

Good luck and have fun - and I look forward to hearing more about your progress xx

[Sigered Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

I like the idea of flat!! Coming from south Essex I have not had much experience of hills.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Sigered]

It's not completely flat, but after the ups come the downs, which is always nice 😊

[Madge50 Marathon]

I haven’t run Royal Parks either, but if it’s like roseabi says, do it, do it, do it! I’m like you, I took my time (and a long time it was too) to build up, I set myself a goal of doing a 10 mile event, then if that went ok I promised to go in for my first HM......and I loved it! Hard work, but certainly worth it - i’ll be running that one again for the third time in March......unfinished business see.....got to improve on my time.....😂🏃‍♀️🏅....even if it is only by seconds.....😂💪....

The sense of achievement is amazing...........and watch out.....addictive.....😄🏃‍♀️

Mx

[Sigered Half Marathon in reply to Madge50]

I have made up my mind to enter the ballot then see what happens. I am looking forward to the planning, lots of things to consider that I have never though of before. At the moment I am trying to get out 3 times a week and run a minimum of 5k. Sometimes it will be just 5k, or it might be up to 10k depending on how I am feeling as I go.

I know I'm going to have to be more disciplined training for a half marathon and perhaps start doing some speed work, which I have never done before.

[Madge50 Marathon in reply to Sigered]

Just to let you know....I run twice a week.....1x parkrun (sometimes I add a little) and one ‘long’ run - usually a minimum of 10k......unless tapering... I also do strength/weights and a bit of yoga....

So if it’s possible on two runs a week, you can definitely do it, go for it, it’ll be great!

Mx

[misswobble Marathon]

Sounds ideal 👍😃

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

Find a relatively flat one, and one that is as near to you as possible to avoid the stress of getting there, staying overnight, etc.

Other than that go for it!

[Sigered Half Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

In that case the Royal Parks half sounds perfect, just a train ride in from south Essex.