Having recovered from my foot sprain I'm turning my mind to plans and goals for next year. I want to do a HM maybe spring/early summer. Anyone any recommendations? I'm not a runner that likes mud or hills and I'm not really that interested in the scenery, so flat, boring road races are just as attractive to me as anything else. I'm a pretty new runner and not fast so it's more important to me for it to be an inclusive, well-organised event.
And then... I'm pretty happy researching training plans and putting together one that works for me and my schedule. But, what do I need to know about running the HM that I won't have learned from running 10k?
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Pianism
Half Marathon
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How exciting that you're taking the HM plunge! I cannot help with NW recommendations, but I'm sure there are others on here that can πππ
I don't think there's much difference between working on 10k vs half marathon. For a first-time half you are best off concentrating on getting up to the full distance and enjoying your training and race day!
We have a half marathon group running at the moment. It's focused on an Autumn half, but could be worth checking out. We do have a couple of people in the Manchester Half Marathon, so you could follow their progress. Here's the latest post, you can cycle back through the posts via the links at the bottom:
Hello! And welcome! Can't help with the North West recommendations (unless you want to go quite a bit north over Hadrian's Wall!) as have only done the GNR in that area, but I'm sure people will have some suggestions for you shortly π
And like Abi says, if you can do 10k then the theory is much the same for a half. Just gradually add distance, keeping strong and rested whilst you train, and figuring out what works best for you. We have a HM program here, if you do like to work to a tried and tested plan, but there are many ways to reach that goalβand I think the members of this forum have probably covered all of them π
One bit of practical advice is that you might find you want to think about fuel once you've been out longer than an hour and a half or so. I used to be a total purist but then dabbled a bit with gels and flapjacks and things and it made such a difference! We have had lots of posts about that so it might be worth doing a wee forum search for those to give you an idea of how all that works when the time comes. Or fire up a post for specific advice!
Till then, just join in where you fancy. And let us know in the pinned post if you sign up for any events, so we can put you in the diary!
Oooh, I've found it! Great Manchester Run in May - you get to run along the Mancunian Way, which was the view from my student halls of residence when I first moved here. Impossibly exciting to a young country boy in a big city. I do love routes that have some personal meaning to me and that one definitely ticks that box!
Is the Monsal Trail Derbyshire, one you would consider.. it is not North West though. But a great first one... a slow and steady incline...( very gentle and then downhill return.. stunning scenery too March next year... A great first one, I think.
Pianism there is a parkun (Bakewell) along the Monsal Trail - is that on your tourism list? It's on mine, although we would probably camp at Bakewell on the Friday night.
Oldfloss I am not remotely considering a HM (I am only on this forum to spy on Irish-John and now Pianism )
But that does sound nice. Our walking group once did a Sunday walk which for some reason went up and down both sides of the valley so we did about 3000 feet of ascent over the day (we could have gone up Snowden for that much effort )
Catweazle....you will laugh, but I envied his harum scarum clueless but kind hearted personality Life was pretty simple - but chaotically interesting - for the old chap
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March next year... 
Apologises Thinking Allowed Again.
Running gloves. Looking for recommendations.
Shin splints /calf pain - can I make my HM in 4 weeks?
Please tell me I can take this? π
