So after being given an entry to the Derby HM for June this year as a Christmas gift I have to confess to being a tad apprehensive about the opportunity but excited at the same time.
I started with good intentions in January running my first 10k of the year and then subsequently needed to take a bit of an IC break in February.
Starting running again in March I was finding it tough to string together a 5k run without stopping for a breather and was considering pulling out of the race. Gladly I didn't.
Last weekend I managed 7k and this extended weekend I ran a 10k. Neither were pretty or fast but both were welcome and so I start looking towards April with renewed purpose to gradually increase my distance to achieve a HM run in June.
Fingers crossed that with the weather improving and daylight arriving both ends of the day I will find the runs easier to fit in and trouble free.
The furthest I have run so far is 14k last year after completing my B210K on Ju-Jus 10 is the magic number program so venturing further will be a new experience for me and one that I hope will be more enjoyable as my body mass continues to decrease!!
I have seen people talk about energy bars and gels and the like and would really like to get some ideas of what I need to start looking at for the longer runs. My 10k time is 1:20 so I am hoping to get my HM in around 2:45 to 3h depending on how bad my drop off is in the second half! So I am not a speed demon by any stretch of the imagination!! According to my Garmin my last 10k burned 1000 calories something which I am sure would be lower if I didn't take so long - hence why I am wondering what I need to start looking at to get me round without falling apart!!
Advice always welcome.
Written by
Richard7
Half Marathon
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I recently completed my first HM, and used energy gels for the first time during my training. I used High5 as they are made from fruit, so all natural. I found they take about 20 minutes after you take them to kick in. It's said you need something any time you run for longer than an hour.
I've never used any before, but since my illness I find my stamina is not what it was. The gels really do give you another lease of life after you run out of energy, you just need to play around with how many and when to take them. It's said to start after 5K then every 20 minutes, but I think that's more for elite athletes.
I took one before my parkrun a couple of weeks ago and got a PB!
Just be aware they can have an effect on your tummy, you don't want to do a Paula....
Go Richard..take a look at roseabi s plan..it was brilliant for me..You know my time was 2.55..I was predicted 2.45..
I took no gels or supplements..just slow steady training..continued my healthy eating regime as usual.. good hydration..and took great advice from misswobble ...I was so worried about gels and such like ..but after the advice felt much happier..also after reading a great piece on fuelling long runs with real food.
But..as Curlygurly2 says..it depends on you and circumstances..One things for sure..you will get terrific support on here. Folk are awesome...!!xx
Well done Richard. A worthy challenge. I don't use energy bars/ gels to date and have just had a few jelly babies as they have been handed out during HM events. However, I do struggle for the last part of the race and think I may need to try something to see if it helps. So much conflicting advice though, so I will go with the trial and error during my training runs.
Thanks all for the feedback. I think Whatsapp summed it up nicely and as others said it's going to be a bit of trial and error.
My personal conflict is that I am still trying to lose weight and the higher calorific runs are good for that but if I burn out then not good for the run! So it's getting the balance between the two!!
I did a search in HU after one of the comments above and Sqkr mentioned using Flapjacks I think. I will do some more reading on that and maybe give that kind of thing a try before delving into other things.
I can’t eat solid food and run. I alternate a gel then a few sweets every 30 minutes with the first taken at 45-50 minutes in. No way could I run a half without fuel. I need fuel for 14k+
Yeah .. cough, cough, splutter, splutter!! I tried a flapjack on a short run tonight to see how it went and it's good for distraction but terrible to try and eat! Option 2 being sought.
I used gels on my first HM but now use clif bloks (like a soft jelly - 6 in a pack which is equivalent to 2 gels). I prefer them as they are compact and taste good 🤪 but you need to have water with them. Have used for 2 HM races now and managed 1:40 last week so they work well for me! 😁. Best to experiment with options as you are doing and see what works for you.
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.
ChrisL's lightweight 2hr HM plan
HM training plan. 
Morecambe HM
First HM
