...but I seem to have signed up to a half marathon in September, having said I would NEVER go beyond 10k and NEVER enter a race. 😂 I don’t know what came over me...but rather than feel anxious, I feel excited beyond belief! (Early days though, ask me how I feel come September!)
The thing is, dear running buddies, I think the universe was trying to tell me something. The start point for the HM is a 10 min walk from my home, and the route through the very streets and parks I have been running in for the last 18 months. So, my thinking is a) it would be rude not to and b) nice and safe and familiar for my very first race.
Have been slowly building up distance for 3 months now (did B210K last summer), and my longest run to date is 14km, and it felt comfortable. So in my heart, there is a tiny bit of me that believes I can do this. And more importantly, that I want to do this.
Never say never, eh?
Sadie-runs xxx
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Half Marathon
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What can l say...Half marathon, eh? One of the easiest (deceptively difficult), most enjoyable, gratifying and massively fulfilling steps that runners can achieve on their way to a funny old program leading towards the full marathon and its lovely structured training. What was l thinking, lol.
Well that sounds like just what I need, mrrun. 👍😁 Cheers! And wowsers - I didn’t realise you were marathon training! Impressive. And all consuming, I’ll bet.
Yep, at it since November. This will take time and HMs are part of the program’s training runs taking you to 60k plus per week at times. I’m not rushing it though.
Good for you. No need to rush, eh? Same here - going to take it steady (and safely), will probably also build in a week of no running too at some point soon. I really feel good after a ‘reset’ week. Good luck with your training! Finding longer routes is a challenge, innit? I have a two-month sabbatical from work coming up and the plan is to travel further afield for some of me long runs - Richmond Park, Battersea, Regents etc. And then out into Kent for some real adventures!
One lap around Battersea, then run towards Hyde Park (lap it), over to Green Park/St James’s then head over to St Paul’s, cross to Tate and go back to Battersea Park via South Bank. That’s my HM training run :). You can do it, you will do it.
If you ever see a tall guy in pristine Boston Celtics gear on that route, that can only be me.
That sounds very nice indeed, thanks mr. And if, on route, you ever see a medium-height woman looking like she needs an ambulance, that can only be me.
Congrats on signing up Sadie!! Exciting times ahead. I am in a very similar boat.. C25K last Summer and 14k long run now... but I've not bitten the bullet yet!! I'm excited for you!! #thisgirlcan 🏃♀️
Aw, thanks Interstellar! 😘 I expect I will start feeling more scared when the adrenaline of signing up wears off! 😂😂 But I am going to do my very best to go into the whole malarkey with a positive mindset! I reckon that’s half the battle, eh? #thisgirljustmight! 😂
Yay - brilliant! Which marathon? I can’t offer advise as at the same stage as you. Running Bournemouth HM October. It also starts 10 mins walk from me and most of it the route I regularly run. Apart from one hill I will need to conquer! 🤦🏻♀️😂
For me fuelling will be my challenge as I normally have a banana at most over 10k as I run first thing. I look forward to reading the advice you get given.
Beckenham HM! Funny thing is, I never knew it existed until today and I have lived here 8 years! 😂😂
As mine is in September, I’ll be able to show you how not to do it hee hee! Fuelling is something I need to experiment with, too. After my last two “long” runs I have been STARVING and a bit knackered for the rest of the day. Just think I need to start eating more generally. What a hardship. 😁
My headaches are def migraines and I’m staying well hydrated. Not had a bad once since we last ‘spoke’. Tried one gel and will try more fuelling when I do a long run again. X
Then you’ll be like the rest of us.......oooppps! What was that....booked in for another.......🤦♀️......how did that happen.....they 👉 made me do it.....😂🏃♀️....bling is nice....😍
Aw, you are lovely, thank you Madge! Bit bamboozled about plans at the moment, but will research/study a bit. My main worry is keeping it fun and enjoyable... and to not get injured! I have been adding on 1k a week to my long run for 4 weeks now - might consolidate 14k for a couple of weeks before starting a plan. Dunno. Eeeek! Etc. xxx
Hi Sadie, if you can do 14K then you’re already 2/3 of the way there. Of course you can do this! 🏃♀️👍 Just take it steady as we’re all told and you’ll be fine! Very best of luck 😀👍
Go for it!!! It's difficult but not impossible. I felt the same way a year or so ago and the sheer excitement of signing up with 5 or 6 months to go was incredible. I'm now preparing for my 4th half marathon in October. I warn you, it's addictive! But the first one is the best.
Oh that’s good to hear, thanks Tjcp! I am trying to be philosophical - going from nothing to 5k was difficult, then 5k to 10k difficult, but I did that so...😁 And lots of time to prepare! Now how to learn to deal with anguish around niggles/injuries. Have not suffered much in my running career (one mild hamstring pull just after 5k and again but calf strain at some other point I cannot remember now, but was a new runner then); prone to drama queen behaviour when it comes to niggles though! But that’s normal, right? 🤪
You have your 4th HM coming up in Oct?! Wow! 👏👏👏 I shall be coming right to you for tips then! Well done! xxx
Work your way up slowly. I did 5k twice a week and 10 k at weekends, nice and slowly. I did 5k in half an hour and 10k in a bit over an hour. Then I changed to 5/5/11, 5/5/12 etc going up 1k every weekend until I got to 18k and then I didn't go higher until THE DAY. You can always walk a bit near the end if you need to but finishing and the wonderful medal I got in Valencia (Spain) made up for all the hard bits near the end. Let us know how you get on.
That sounds like a very good plan, thanks Tjcp. We run similar times, it seems (5k and 10k times). I think my biggest challenge will be keeping up with the strength training. I do a Pilates class once a week, and a lot of that involves strength work (we use hand weights, do lots of core work and squats), but I need to get disciplined and do another strength session at home! Cross training - will add in a swim once a week. 👍
Oh running in Valencia must have been wonderful! 👏👏👏
As for letting you know how I am getting on, I think you all might be a bit sick of hearing from me come September! 😂
Must admit I do no other training other than getting out there. I know I should but I work long hours and the early run keeps me going for the day! And keep letting us know how you get on! We won't get tired!
Whoohoo! That is awesome Sadie! That close to home and in your running route already; how perfect! You’ll know exactly what to expect. Yeehaw! You’ll do great and you have lots of time to prepare, especially given you’ve already ran 14k.
Thanks lovely Sask! Your support means a lot! I feel that I should be way more nervous, but running has taught me mental resilience. 💪😁 yeehaw! xxx
Just keep adding to the distance and you will be fine, I'm sure. I got to 10 miles recently and I am now thinking, it would be rude not to..... You will be great
It’s lovely to hear this from such a good runner as you, Helen, thank you! And being very polite, you would definitely be rude not to, now you’ve done 10 miles! (Funny how we always switch to miles for that landmark distance, isn’t it?!)
Neil left the forum for reasons unknown to me a while back - but you can see him on Strava, still merrily running away! 😁 xxx
How exciting! You'll smash it. It's fun getting there and the sense of achievement at the end is fantastic. This forum is fab for help advice and inspiration for both the distance and the event. Enjoy the journey and get your race added to the list (pinned post) 😀
Aw, FISHY! Thank you darling. Hold the pride though. 😊 Though I do feel I deserve a medal just for signing up 😂😂😂 I still don’t know what possessed me - it was like an outer body experience. (ButI know I had to do it and it feels right 👍). How are you my lovely? So nice to see you on the forum! 😘 xxx
I am good thanks! Back to running 5k at last and feeling ok. I might work back up to 10k over the summer - slightly hesitant for fear of cocking it all up again! It's lovely to hear that you are progressing on, it does wonderful things to us this running lark! Keep us posted xxx
Yay! So glad you are running and back to the magical 5k - that is great! And look, you won’t cock it up again. Ju-Ju’s 10k plan is nice and gentle, and you can adapt it to do it over a longer period if you are worried. There’s no rush. And we are here to support you and cheer you on! xxx
Thanks Sadie 🤗. All very true- sound advice! I feel stronger for going to the gym regularly now... am hoping that will help me through! I seem to have picked up where I left off a year ago so that’s a bonus I didn’t expect. Fingers crossed! 😁 xxx
No need to cross fingers my lovely, luck doesn’t come into it. Training, self belief, listening to your body and resting when you need to, eating and drinking well - this is what it comes down to, and you have what it takes! You are fab, don’t ever forget it! 😁😘
😂😂😂 Oh Floss. I honestly was adamant about a) never entering a race b) running more than 10k - just shows you how impermanent things can be, and how consistent, happy running can help you to believe in yourself. I am beyond excited now! Thank you for your support! (And for inspiring me with your HM triumph!) xxx
The running gives us so much than just runs..confidence..strength. spontaneity..and pure joy.. We are so blessed that we can run and have friends who run with us..you are going to really enjoy the build up!
I’m sure you can do it Sadie. You’ve got lots of running in those legs, and if you didn’t you’d be watching everyone else and wishing you were doing it too. 🏃♀️👏🏻👏🏻
Well, only one way to find out, eh Dexy? 😂😂😂 And thanks! I am goi g to train well, take it gently and steadily, but my primary focus is my head space - I want to keep on enjoying my running. xxx
I know what you mean. I’ve been humming and ha-Ing about doing the GSR, 10 miles. It’s in October, so should be possible and it is on my doorstep, but I don’t know if I want to give more to running than I already do.
Hmmmm. It’s meant to be a lovely run; I want to do it one day! Training shouldn’t be too hardcore for 10 miles, right? But you have to go with your gut and your heart with these things. When it feels right it’s right. 👍😘
Brilliant! and a good strategy too. I did my HM because it was local and on 'my' trail, so I knew the route and in fact used it for my training runs. That way I felt very familiar and comfortable (well, you know what I mean!) on the day. You will be fine. You have plenty of time to build up that little bit extra with no rush so hopefully will remain injury free. Fab!
Thanks dear Annie! I know it will be tough, but running so far has definitely improved my mental resilience! I am looking forward to running my favourite streets but with the roads closed, and with lots of other plucky runners! x
Well done. Find a plan and stick to it as well as you can. If you have to miss runs try to make sure its the shorter runs. Your weekly long run is the most important to keep up. Time on your feet/ miles in the bank and you will be fine.
I did my own plan, running 3 times a week and gradually increasing the long run by a km or so. I also found gym cross training twice a week helped though I don’t particularly enjoy it 😬
Anyway, those ‘robot legs’ will get you round for sure, good luck 😊
Thanks Ted! If I don't do roseabi's plan (haven't had the chance to study it yet), that was what I was thinking of doing too. I cannot bear gyms…but, I do a Pilates class once a week, and will also add a swim to my regime! (And some weighted squats etc at home). Looks like it will be a busy summer for this gal! xxx
Ted I love it that I turn my back for a year or so, only to find you have a half marathon badge!!! Fantastic news!! Really well done. Last I knew we were both struggling with 10k injuries... I am back after a year out but I love it that you’ve gone on from strength to strength! 😁👍
No, I didn't get over my arsecheekitis for about a year, coupled with a new job, I couldn't find the will to try again until a couple of months ago. So back to 5k, thinking about slowly stretching on to 10k again. I don't do Strava - can barely turn on my Garmin and sync that with my phone!! Great to hear you are flying though, it gives me encouragement!
Yes! And I run down Foxgrove (where David Bowie lived in his youth, incidentally) on most of my runs - it’s a beautiful street and eventually leads to Place Park! What a coincidence that this is home to UTS’s Hockey team! 😁
October 13th....I got back from a very short run this morning (I’ve been ill) and thought I fancy doing something in October for my birthday....6.30 am I’ve signed up for a charity place on the Royal Park half marathon 😱😱. You’ll smash yours you’ve been running longer and already got to a good distance. What was I thinking 🤣🤣
But yours is 6 months away! And you will be amazed at what you can achieve in 6 months. 😁 Just keep it slow and steady to build those running legs, and listen to your body. Rest well, eat well, drink well (water!) and train consistently - and you will be fine! You don’t have to run the whole distance, either! x
Ok Sadie, late to the party, but woohoo how very exciting! 🎉 🙌 🏃♀️👊👍👏😍
I can’t wait to read all about how your training’s coming along! You realise you’re going to smash it don’t you? The ⭐️ 🌟 💫 are all aligned as it’s a course you know like the back of your hand! 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
I’m no way ready to even think about attempting a HM (not even done a 10k race yet - but May 5th - eeek!), but I might just consider 10 miles (only might 😅).
You guys all inspire me, and I don’t feel worthy on this forum, but I love to lurk and pick up nuggets like this post of yours. 👍
Thank you for your lovely kind words and support, dear Cheeky! I never, ever thought I would enter a HM, but it is like a switch was flicked in my head, and it just felt so right! I have never entered a race before - and don’t judge me - I have never even done a park run! (But plan to do a few in the summer during my sabbatical from work).
I don’t know if I’ll smash it 😂. My main plan is to do the training, keep the attitude of “I can do this”, and just do it - that’s the only way to find out, right? Self belief is not something I have ever had much of, but running has really improved that. It feels weird, but I am not scared. I will try and do everything right (training, nutrition etc), and if it works, it works. If it doesn’t I haven’t lost anything!
BTW, you are worthy on any running forum, okay?! 😘
Well with that amazing attitude you will most certainly have an awesome run. You’ll put the training in, get yourself as prepared as you possibly can and on the day you’ll be just fine! If you do need to walk any of it, no worries either. Think of the pride you feel when you cross the finish line. Heck, I’m excited for you! 🙌🙌🙌
And as for parkrun during the summer, prepare for them to become a massive part of your life for ever more! They’re ace! 👏👏👏
And aww shucks, thanks (but I’m still a baby on this forum!) 😅😅😅
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My Running story, squeezed in at the end of July: 
I don’t believe it!!
urgh too hot !! 
I really didn't want to run but then started to really enjoy it for the lat 10 minutes! I even picked up my pace!