My half marathon is on the 29th September, the furthest I’ve run so far is 7.2 miles on Sunday, with 8 miles (maybe 8.5) planned for this weekend and a 5k this week. Aside from the odd taper week, my plan generally involves 1x long run and 1x 5k.
Im having a real wobble with a few things and I’m hoping you lovely people will help:
1. Is this enough running to get me ready in time - my only objective is to finish the thing? I’m recovering from Plantar Fasciltis (I’ve been cleared to run) but have been warned to take it easy, and my work schedule is horrendous at the moment so I’m leaving the house at 7 and getting home at 8. If the 5k has to drop sometimes for my sanity - is this awful???
2. On the work schedule, i also do one yoga session a week and Im trying to fit a swim in (i also walk minimum 10000 steps every day). I’m worried this isn’t enough.
3. What if I can’t do it? I’m honestly feeling sick at the thought of not getting round.
4. I’m getting worried about nutrition and strength exercises? Does anyone have any advice on simple things I can do for extra strength and is anyone doing anything special for their nutrition?
Thanks guys sorry for the negative post 😔😔
Written by
Becky1606
Half Marathon
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Gosh Becky I don’t know. It’s a long way (ask my legs how they’re feeling now after 19k this morning), and I run 3 times per week with (touch wood) no injury issues.
Is the entry free too much to forego if you were to cancel and enter one early next year to take the pressure off? It’s only about 6 weeks away. Sorry to sound rather pessimistic, but it’s seriously far and you don’t want to injure yourself running that distance without building up gradually.
Only my opinion, and I might have replied differently if I hadn’t have done my long run today. 🏃♀️
Thanks for you reply cheeky - although unfortunately I really want to run - I’m raising money for the eating disorder charity that literally saved my life a few years back so it means a lot.
Points taken though, and as UNM says, I’m not bothered about being able to run the whole way at all which is a plus. I’ll be building distance slowly - increasing long run by 1 mile maximum each week.
I think it’s going to have to be a case of making time from work for the 2nd run, and keeping fitness up with walking and swimming etc, but just having a bit of a down day (hard day at work and I’ve got a cold haha!)
That’s different then, it does sound like you want to do it - and yes of course you can walk some. I never think of that as an option because I don’t! 🙄😅 So good luck with your training and fundraising for a fabulous cause. ❤️
I tend to agree with cheeky I’m afraid. Don’t forget, it’s supposed to be fun and you’re putting an awful lot of pressure on yourself.. The angst is pouring out of your post.
I’m doing roseabi’s challenge just to see if I can run a half marathon before I even think of entering one. That’s a 16 week plan but I’ve just added another month on to it as it’s physically and also mentally tough.
Is there any reason why you have to do this one? I.e Are you raising money for a special cause?
Thanks TC, I think the post is more symbolic of a bad day at work and not feeling well as opposed to not having fun - I love running and my training, and was of confidence after the 7 miler on Sunday!
I’m raising money for the UK eating disorder charity, who are really important to me, but I’m not bothered if I run 10 miles and walk 3, or run/walk the distance.
Haha yes that’s exactly what it is!! I don’t tend to use social media so thought to help me have a little vent I’d try thé forum (plus you guys know these feelings!).
You guys responding really helps actually, let’s me know I’m not alone and people are caring and helpful.
I’m yet to run the distance... but I’m booked on one for November. As soon as I started the plan I lost a month to a groin strain and a virus... I have had some of the same panic! My thinking at the time was if I could get to 10 miles then I’d be fine, others will be walking some of it so there’s no disgrace if I’m one of them. You’re close to that, and it’s certainly doable from where you are right now. Then I figured that as I was going to start with fresh legs and I could also use it as progression of my long run, I would probably be able to do 12 on the day. That thinking has stoped my worries... and I don’t think it’s unreasonable... if I can run 13.1 then great, if I can run 90% of it I’ll be happy. Hope this helps.
I’m definitely not precious about running the whole distance, and I think I can definitely make 10 miles in the next 6 weeks considering I’m on 7 already. Even if I then walk/jog the rest that’s fine! For me it’s about getting round and pushing myself.
As I said to Cheeky, I will definitely have to de prioritise work for a bit to fit my exercise in, but I’m sure they won’t mind (too much!)
"What if I can’t do it? I’m honestly feeling sick at the thought of not getting round."
What's going to happen if you can't do it? You get to 7 - 10 miles and you walk the rest? Maybe you'll be disappointed but you won't be last, the crowds will cheer you on, they'll be loads of people walking. You've still done a half marathon! You'll get a medal, you'll be applauded, you'll have a drink and a laugh afterwards.. And you can say "not my day today, but I'll smash it next time"... It's not that bad. I say go for it!
It can't be worse than my mate.. He did a mountain race in Scotland. It cost him a fortune to enter and get up there, it's something like 7 hours travel... He did about 8k, realised he'd made a drastic mistake and found a pub and called a taxi! Taxi cost him £80 to get back.. I shouldn't laugh but 🤣
My mate "How is it £80 when I've only travelled 8k?"
Taxi driver "Because I can't drive over a mountain mate... I have to use the roads, it's £80 or walk back!"
Hahaha this is an excellent story, thank you Clubberlang! Luckily I live on the HM route so if it all goes wrong I can hobble home without the £80 taxi!
I think saying to myself I can definitely walk on the day really helps, and even though I’m on a TV shoot today I’m determined to leave by 19:00 so I can get to the gym for an 8 o clock 5k!
Thank you for your reply, feeling much more positive this morning!!
I think you can do it. Practice your nutrition on your long runs, sweets or gels? check out where the water stations are on the route , are you going to carry your own as well? You have a few weeks to build up another couple of miles. You can run/ walk it. I did the Brighton half in feb. I had only run about 10 miles, with some walking. I was pretty slow on the day and had to walk some of it. But I got round.
Thanks Snuffy, certainly feeling better after 9h sleep.
I’m fortunate to live on the route, so have decided each week to do my long run along it! And yes I’ll be carry a small bottle along with me, and have my boyfriend tactically positioned at mile 8 to swap them out!
Cut off time is 3h but I’ve seen finishers every year between 3h and 3h20. I did 7.2 miles in 1h40 and that was my slowest ever pace with loads of walking post holiday so I’m confident (ish!!!) I’ll make the cut off
1. Possibly not enough to get you through without increasing the chances of injury and running the 13 miles.
Walk/run at steady pace is probably your better option. 1mile slow run. 1 mile walk would make sense.
2. If you walk run then your 10k steps and your distance running, yeah, you'll probably hurt on route but dont we all 🤪🤣
3. Go steady if you do decide to take it on. If you end up walking half of it then you still complete it 😎 then it's a win!
4. Still learning all that myself. Dont go out for Brewdog and curry the night before 🤪🤣.....
Good luck if you decide to take it on and keep us posted!
Edit. Missed the bit about increasing your runs. If you can hit 10mile the week before you would taper your giving yourself a better shot 😎 from mile ten it's just a park run 🤪
I can understand your wobbles - and well done for venting them in here!
Firstly, if you can organise work, try not to sacrifice your 5k run. Mental confidence is key, and I think if you drop down to one long run a week, you will only worry more! You have time to get up to 10 miles before tapering, and plenty of people only run up to 10 miles before a HM and still get round fine.
Strength training can easily be done at home and fitted in around a busy life! Do calf raises whilst brushing your teeth at night. Try these easy core exercises in the morning before breakfast:
Nutrition: eat a bit more protein while training; I also upped my carbs a bit (jacket potatoes/sweet potatoes/brown pasta) as I felt I wasn’t eating enough) during my training. As for fuel on the go, you need to try things out on your training runs to see what works for you (I like Tailwind and Jelly Babies!)
And...breathe. As you say, you don’t have to run the entire 21k. The key is to get round without hurting yourself. I stop a few times in my long runs to stretch my quads and hamstrings, have a drink, and I sometimes walk for a minute or two just to avoid repetitive strain of running on my legs.
So glad you are feeling better today! It goes up and down like that, I have found. Fortunately I had my HM wobble last week, freeing me up to give you a sane response today. 😂 x
I have to say I'm a bit surprised by a few negative responses.
Look, its normal to panic. I did, and I still do. However, it is just a run. You do it, or you don't. I'm confident you will.
Training wise you are well on your way. Prior to my first two HMs I only trainind to 10 miles beforehand, and on my most recent only 11 miles. I just don't like to over train and like to leave some room for someithng to acheive at the event itself. As for the cross training its all good and that, but it is the running that makes you a better runner.
If you have to drop the occasional 5k then so be it. Keep in that long run. It is a stratgey I use and I know others do. I've yet to follow a plan without missing a few runs.
For nutrition, I don't do anything. A good breakfast and enjoy any snacks - i.e. jelly babies offered on the way round - if I feel like it.
Extra strength. If you want to try doing a few planks a strong core is helpful for retaining your posure as you tire. But, seriously regular running is all you really need to build your running muscles.
Oh and theres no shame in walking for a bit if you need to, either. Go get 'em tiger!!
Well said WhatsApp. I’m in a similar position as I’m planning my first half marathon on October 13 and I’m still only at the 8 mile mark. Have just put the next eight week training plan on my fridge and am seriously thinking about giving up the booze until it’s all behind me. Becky we have to say: YES WE CAN! 🏃♀️🏆🏃♀️🏆🏃♀️
Heya with each reply suggesting you don't do it your response has gotten stronger lol. The wobbles are natural but you do need to be safe too. Ideally you need your 5k runs as well as a tempo run maybe and then your distance run. Your days are long I know but try to keep up with the 5k runs if you can. Distance wise you have run 12kish so if you are careful you may have enough weeks left to reach around 18/19k which is enough. (Sorry I run in K lol) Only up your distance by 10% max each week. A run walk plan is an option too. Walking and time on feet will help but if you can get in 2 5k's a week I would. Swimming will help your strength too though and is a safe alternative to running. And always stretch after every run.
In terms of nutrition and hydration try that now on your longer runs. I only ever used to drink water but recently I have looked into hydration and it makes a difference for me if I have an electrolyte sports drink with me now. The high five tablets are on offer in Holland and Barrett at the moment too but find what works for you. In my first half marathon I only ran with water and I had no gels or sweets.
Overall it is important to try and not start off too fast, really hard with everyone around you, but if you can stay slow and steady you may be able to get round. If you need to walk for a while then do and listen to your body. It isn't worth an injury no matter how much money you are raising!
At this stage you still have 4 weeks left of training before you need to pull back on distance. Use your time wisely and run when you can. You sound pretty determined to do it and have some strong motivation, so use that on the sluggish mornings and enjoy the training as much as the actual run.
Go slow, walk if you need to and enjoy the atmosphere. But do stay safe. And mostly on the day believe you can do it. That will get you round.
Good luck! 😊
You will get round one way or another, even if you have to walk parts it- which lots of people will do. Relax, enjoy your running and see how it goes on the day x
Becky. Just a thought but you say you could walk some. How about trying Jeffing (run walk). I’ve just started using this as it lots easier for my older body. I increased my distance by 2.5k this morning without slowing down. In fact I was running faster than I have done at these distances. It might help you get the distance in that time period.
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.
Final run of 2021
Taking the plunge towards a HM
HM Target
HHM Training - Week 6 Day 5
