Half Marathon Plan: It's getting real... - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

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Half Marathon Plan: It's getting real! ๐Ÿ˜ฎ๐Ÿ˜Š And banish those "taper terrors"!!!

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon
โ€ข61 Replies

Hi all!

Huge apologies for the lateness of my post, holidays and general busy-ness have put me a bit behind.

How are you all feeling?

I have been handing out more half marathon badges, so I know a few of you have now run the half marathon distance in training - well done!!!!

If you have not done this yet, or don't intend to, that is perfectly fine - saving it for race day is a wonderful thing!

Either way - tell us how you are getting on ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š

๐Ÿ’ฅ SOME OF YOUR RACES ARE THIS WEEKEND!!! ๐Ÿ’ฅ

I have been making a list, would be most grateful if you could check it via the link below. Some of these races are not currently on our Events list - if you would like to be added please tell me in the comments!!!

docs.google.com/spreadsheet...

I received my race number for the Hastings Half yesterday ๐Ÿ™ƒ 652, my lucky number ๐Ÿ˜„ There's just over three weeks to go now - it's getting real!!!

I noticed some mention being made of the "taper terrors" on another post. Please DON'T WORRY about this kind of thing! In the last week or so before the half marathon it is best to reduce the long runs and overall distance whilst retaining a level of intensity. This helps to maintain fitness while promoting recovery. This "taper" process is longer and more pronounced in the last 3-4 weeks of marathon training, and during that time many people feel paranoid that they are losing fitness, and may start to fixate on small aches and pains as potential major injuries. Not fun ๐Ÿ˜ข

I tend to think that there is really not much of a taper needed for the half marathon, but in the final week of training we will certainly be running less and resting more. This simply helps to make sure your legs will be nice and fresh on the day - you have no need to worry! Enjoy your rest, and take the time for other things ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š

Happy running - and good luck!!!

roseabi xx

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roseabi profile image
roseabi
Ultramarathon
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61 Replies
โ€ข
roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon

I went for half marathon distance yesterday - had to run around in circles a bit at the end to make sure ๐Ÿ˜œ

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorโ€ข in reply toroseabi

I am worried..because might not have run far enough before the event! Did 13.7 today before torrential rain forced me to stop at 1hr 50 ish..

I had just planned on a 2hr run...but.. I was drowning and very hungry. I am getting the regular running in now..but feel I'm running... (haha) out of time...the HM is the Monsal Trail on the 24th..๐Ÿ™ƒ

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathonโ€ข in reply toOldfloss

Torrential rain, ugh. But you can do it!! xxx

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathonโ€ข in reply toOldfloss

Stop worrying matey. Youre gonna be just fine. Its fairly flat. Don't forget to peer over the viaduct I didn't actually realise i was on it! My husband asked me what it was like "running over the viaduct" Doh!

Wear bright orange fluoro top or similar as those cyclists can't see ya. They go into the tunnel from the light. Hard to see them too if they don't have a light on

Its a lovely route. Lots of peeps about though so plenty of dodging and weaving and trying not to trip over scooters, dogs and kids. Makes for a more relaxing atmos though I think. I found it so anyway

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorโ€ข in reply tomisswobble

Thanks you.xxxxxx

I am really looking forward to it..getting a tad excited..hoping it won't pour on the day...it is a lovely route๐Ÿ˜Š

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathonโ€ข in reply toOldfloss

I wish I was doing it now! Sulk! I did look at late entry but there's no places left. Never mind. Shall we both do it next year, and rope in Murph as well, and the other local peeps ?

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorโ€ข in reply tomisswobble

That would be brilliant... I so wish you were doing it... I think Anniemurph would be game for sure:)

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathonโ€ข in reply toroseabi

Tee hee Well done

MutleyShuffle profile image
MutleyShuffleHalf Marathon

I am taking a few days' break to nurse my butt niggle (sorry to repeat myself roseabi!), doing some self-massage on it with a tennis ball (ouch!) and have found some really good stretches. My last run was Saturday - starting to get a bit restless, this is the longest break I've had from running in months! I'm going for a little jogette tomorrow to test all is ok, then I've got a 10 mile race booked for Sunday - quite excited about that as it's set in the beautiful Bedgebury Forest, I'm so looking forward to trail running again after all the road running I've been doing to practice for the HM.

My longest run so far has been 20k. Apart from the 10 miler on Sunday I might squeeze one more long run in before the HM (butt niggle dependant of course) but I think I will save the full HM distance for the day (24th March), to make it more special. It's been fab seeing everyone's progress on Strava - keep at it peeps, nearly there! ๐Ÿค—๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ…

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathonโ€ข in reply toMutleyShuffle

Good luck, and have fun with that tennis ball ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜ฎ๐Ÿ˜‰๐Ÿ’—

Sounds like a fabulous 10 miler, btw

MutleyShuffle profile image
MutleyShuffleHalf Marathonโ€ข in reply toroseabi

๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚

David_G profile image
David_GMetric Marathon

Hi Roseabi, unfortunately I picked up a niggle in my left leg a couple of weeks ago.๐Ÿ˜Ÿ I had a sports massage on Saturday which helped a lot.๐Ÿ™‚ Iโ€™ve been resting since doing a short run on Sunday and the leg is feeling better now. Hopefully Iโ€™ll get out there this evening and all will be fine๐Ÿคž๐Ÿ‘

Good luck everyone!๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿƒโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathonโ€ข in reply toDavid_G

Sending you extremely strong healing thoughts xxxxx

David_G profile image
David_GMetric Marathonโ€ข in reply toroseabi

Thanks Roseabi! Tonight will be a very slow and steady outing, just to keep things ticking over.๐Ÿ™‚ Iโ€™m intending to do Parkrun on Saturday if all is well, then Iโ€™ve got another massage on Monday evening.๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ‘

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathonโ€ข in reply toDavid_G

There's nothing like a good sports massage ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š

Whatsapp profile image
WhatsappHalf Marathon

Enjoying the taper before HM this Sunday. I feel my training has been much more consistent this time around. I'm anxious to just get out there and just get on with it.

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathonโ€ข in reply toWhatsapp

Exciting!!!!

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathonโ€ข in reply toWhatsapp

Me too. Although I was supposed to run at race pace today! tut I didn't

It was flipping cold out there and I got drenched. I only had my hair done yesterday Bah

SlowLoris profile image
SlowLoris

Total for Feb is 86 miles run so a good month. Did my first 10 mile run last Sunday which was a nice mental milestone to reach, albeit at a very easy pace. My local HM is not until September so I will look out for something to do before then. Next week is an enforced recovery week as I'll be skiing. Probably quite heavily focussed on rehydration as well.

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathonโ€ข in reply toSlowLoris

Well done!

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon

homlyme , Sandraj39 , Teri73 , MatildasPb - how you doing? xx

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathonโ€ข in reply toroseabi

You took me off the upcoming race post Roseabi - out for weeks with flu and chest infection. Back running again but nowhere near ready to train for another HM yetโ˜น - hey ho - at least I am out there running again!๐Ÿ™‚

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathonโ€ข in reply toSandraj39

Ohhhh I'm really sorry, I should have made a note of it!!! ๐Ÿ˜ฅ

Glad to hear you're back out running xxx

Teri73 profile image
Teri73โ€ข in reply toroseabi

Donโ€™t want to tempt fate but I am feeling good, will do my last long run today, planning to do the full 21km, then start tapering next week, ready for the big day on the 17th. Not sure why but I am already feeling nervous, silly as I know I can do this, even if I have to walk the the last km.

Good luck with your upcoming races everyone, I am sure you will have a ball!

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathonโ€ข in reply toTeri73

Yay, well done Teri!!! I'm sure it's mostly excitement you're feeling ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ’ฅ

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon

Still here! Still hanging on to the rollercoaster :D - first attempt at the full distance was reminiscent of my GSR misery; this Saturday was an absolute high, having run the full distance, under my 2h30m goal, feeling strong (and no migraine); yesterday I felt tired and broken (sore legs and email from Jeff Gaudette telling me it was normal to be tired 4 weeks out), today I'm itching for my next run tomorrow!

My quad isn't right, but it's improved on where it was, despite the increased distances. I seem to have developed a large Bakers cyst behind the knee of the other leg which is uncomfortable, but not a show stopper (not yet anyway). I'm definitely feeling the increased distances though.

So, another week and a half of running (including one more SLOW full distance planned for next week), a week of skiing where I hope and pray not to get injured, then a week of 'taper treats' and it will amost be over!

I'm still keeping an eye on the Coast HM entries, so there's definitely a part of me believes I will be able to do this on 24th March, and enjoy it enough to want to do it again three weeks later!!!

Congrats to everyone who's got this far (as a solo runner I love being part of this team), healing vibes to all niggles and most of all good luck, especially to those racing this weekend x

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathonโ€ข in reply tolinda9389

"Rollercoaster" and "taper treats" - love those!!! Very half-marathon-training ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š

Fingers crossed for your quad and cyst - pain pain go away!

It's lovely to have you in the team xxxxxxxx

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathonโ€ข in reply toroseabi

Rotten luck with the gosh-darned cycst! We'll have to wish it away

(((((((()))))))

Solo runner these days too so yeah it's good to have a channel for our running stuff

MutleyShuffle profile image
MutleyShuffleHalf Marathonโ€ข in reply tolinda9389

Good luck with keeping the naughty leg and cyst under control! Happy rollercoasting and taper treating, cake will soon be ours! ๐Ÿฐ๐Ÿช๐Ÿฅž

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathonโ€ข in reply toMutleyShuffle

Ahh. That makes it all sound worthwhile. There may be a national cake shortage that weekend ๐Ÿ˜€

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon

I love a taper meself

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathonโ€ข in reply tomisswobble

Is that when we get to eat lots and lots of cake?

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathonโ€ข in reply tolinda9389

Nooooo ๐Ÿ™ˆ. Thatโ€™s after the race itself ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ…๐Ÿฐโ˜•๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธโ˜๏ธWags finger ๐Ÿ˜

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathonโ€ข in reply tomisswobble

Where's the dislike button ๐Ÿ˜ฅ๐Ÿ˜ฅ๐Ÿ˜ฅ๐Ÿ˜ฅ๐Ÿ˜ฅ

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathonโ€ข in reply tolinda9389

You wanna be light on race day ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathonโ€ข in reply tomisswobble

Speaking of cake, I made vegan biccies for my guests last night. Flamin lush ๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ˜‹ but Iโ€™ve had to wrap up, seal and box the ones that were left. I told OH to take em to work but he didnโ€™t So pointedly ignoring them La la la la ๐Ÿ™ˆ๐Ÿ™‰๐Ÿ™Š

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathonโ€ข in reply tomisswobble

๐Ÿช "Eat meeeeeeee"

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorโ€ข in reply tomisswobble

There was vegan choccy loaf at the Hassop cafe on the Monsal trail yesterday...:)

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathonโ€ข in reply toOldfloss

Thereโ€™s a cafe en route and I thought it was the finish line as i saw those tall billowly sail-like flags They probably said Wallโ€™s Iceโ€™s or sommat ๐Ÿคจ๐Ÿค“

Langley-Loper profile image
Langley-LoperHalf Marathon

I did my first and only HM last year. My longest run in training was 12 miles. I wanted to save the full distance as a real achievement on the day.

So no-one panic if you don't manage the distance in training.

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathonโ€ข in reply toLangley-Loper

Absolutely! xxx

MutleyShuffle profile image
MutleyShuffleHalf Marathonโ€ข in reply toLangley-Loper

Yes I'm doing the same - I have got up to 20k so almost there but saving the full distance for the day!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorโ€ข in reply toLangley-Loper

Useful thought.. thanks...:)

MadDave profile image
MadDave

Iโ€™ve been hit by a very bad cold this week coughing and sneezing relentlessly. Being doped up to the eyeballs in Day/Night nurse means Iโ€™ve not done my final pace run as planned. Will try to stay off the meds today and get a short run in - 25 mins with 2x5mins at pace, then an easy run & lots of steam room / spa pool tomorrow๐Ÿคž

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathonโ€ข in reply toMadDave

Take it easy xx Hope you're not still contagious going into the spa pool...

MadDave profile image
MadDaveโ€ข in reply toroseabi

๐Ÿ˜ท

pianoteacher profile image
pianoteacherMarathonHalf Marathon

Going well here although my stupidity at parkrun last week has aggravated my previous calf and heel injuries which is annoying. Nothing too bad but I might knock the 10 miles I was planning for Monday on the head if it doesn't improve.

I haven't got "taper terrors" but rather "new Army Selection requirements terrors". According to the media they've taken all of the pushups, pullups etc out of army fitness to make the tests more practical and allow women to serve in the front line but according to what's up on our wall at the barracks selection has got a million times worse! I'm going to have another look at it all when I go over there later as I'm really hoping that someone has made a mistake and they're infantry requirements. The run has been reduced to 2k and musicians only have to make the very conservative time of 11:30 mins so I can't really see why they would then require me to be able to 45 pushups! Sorry none if this is running really related - just need to vent ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿคฃ

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathonโ€ข in reply topianoteacher

Sending strong calf and heel thoughts your way xxx

Re. the pushups that does seem odd - hope it is a mistake!

pianoteacher profile image
pianoteacherMarathonHalf Marathonโ€ข in reply toroseabi

Thanks Abi xx

pianoteacher profile image
pianoteacherMarathonHalf Marathonโ€ข in reply toroseabi

Phew!! Apparently they are just a training exercise to help you get ready for one of the actual test (medicine ball throw) so you don't have to be able to complete them. Having said that the test will still be very hard for someone of my stature but nowhere near as daunting as all those pushups! ๐Ÿ˜

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathonโ€ข in reply topianoteacher

Crikey! Good job you double checked ๐Ÿ˜ณ. Take care of those niggles - hope they disappear very quickly

pianoteacher profile image
pianoteacherMarathonHalf Marathonโ€ข in reply tolinda9389

Thanks Linda xx

MutleyShuffle profile image
MutleyShuffleHalf Marathonโ€ข in reply topianoteacher

Sorry to hear the calf and heel injuries are back, take it easy now xx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator

Did my HM course yesterday..BUT on my bike.... :)

It was brilliant...freezing cold and the three tunnels...icy.... It is a long gentle incline to the turn around point...and the return trip, slopes downhill :)

Yeyayayayay ! I can hardly wait!

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathonโ€ข in reply toOldfloss

Awesome!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorโ€ข in reply toroseabi

I was slightly over excited...especially with the downhill bit:) It would have been great if misswobble could have got a place... but..next year?? Did I just say that out loud? ๐Ÿ˜

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathonโ€ข in reply toOldfloss

It's got to happen now!! ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon

You probably wonโ€™t feel cold in the tunnel. I didnโ€™t. I was well warmed up before I got to it, so the coolness was welcome

See you there next year ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ‘

HoagyM profile image
HoagyMHalf Marathon

Hi Abi - 2 weeks to go for me! (gulp!)

I'm planning one more long run today (I managed the HM distance for the first time a week ago) before winding down/tapering. So something like 20km today, 5k Thursday, 10k Sunday and then a couple of 5k's next week, ahead of the HM on Sunday 17th. With 4-5 rounds of golf thrown in there to keep me active on non-running days.

Have been keeping a very close eye on my Strava "fitness and freshness" curve and the above plan should mean I'm in peak form (fitness vs fatigue) for the HM. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, it's a Strava premium function which you can only see on the website, not the app. Don't know how accurate it is, but I find it useful.

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathonโ€ข in reply toHoagyM

Two weeks - exciting!!! Good luck with the rest of your training.

Sounds interesting, I was thinking about giving Strava premium a try...

HoagyM profile image
HoagyMHalf Marathonโ€ข in reply toroseabi

Yeah, not sure how good value for money Strava premium is, but given I use Strava at least a few times every day, I donโ€™t mind paying a bit. There are quite a few on here who are also premium members. I initially took out a month-by-month membership to try it, which was quite expensive (ยฃ6 a month), but have now switched to annual membership which is ยฃ48.

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