First Half Marathon March 2020 the BigHalf

[Papillon17]

I think this maybe my first post in here as usually post in C25K but I am booked in as part of TeamPilgrims to run a half in memory of both my Mum and Dad who both passed away in the Thanet Pilgrims Hospice. This is especially for my Mum who passed March 2019 the day I graduated and the day after my 58th Birthday so I thought this would be a great way to raise funds for the hospice in her name.

So my questions are what do you take for a half marathon? Do you need a drinks pack? What do most wear for it? Any advice would be greatly received? Do you run with headphones? I just love my music.

Thank you

[Hidden]

I took a litre of Tailwind in a bottle. It had a side pocket in which I put two nak’d bars. Phone and space blanket in my Buddy Pouch. That was it. It worked a treat. Will do it again.

[Papillon17 Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thanks FlickM3 what’s Tailwind?

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Papillon17]

It's a sports drink:

tailwindnutrition.co.uk/

[Hidden in reply to Papillon17]

It's a powder that you add to water. I contains electrolytes and all sorts of stuff to give you calories and keep you going.

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Welcome to the forum!!!! You will find plenty of half marathon help on here 😊😊😊

I tend to wear shorts and a vest for a half marathon because I get really hot! It's an individual thing, though 😊

You should not need to carry any drink as water will likely be provided at regular points on the course - but again this is down to personal preference.

Regarding headphones please be sure to check the Big Half website, because many events do not allow their use. In any case it is worth considering going without your headphones because you will not get the best of the race atmosphere if you are blocking out the sounds around you. There will be music and cheering along most of the course!!

Have fun with your training when you start it - have you picked out a plan yet?- and keep us posted xxx

[Papillon17 Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thanks Roseabi training plan is expected shortly being supplied by the charity in next week or so. Have downloaded a couple to see what’s involved but will be started well before they suggest starting a plan.

[Windoze Half Marathon]

Welcome Papillon17. Roseabi's covered most of your points. March can get pretty damn wet and chilly. My first mistake last year was not bringing something warm for after. 13miles in ice cold rain....

Water stations on route so generally I'd say work on energy gels (or substitue)

Great cause too..keep us posted on your training progress! Those long cold 15k runs on a sunday morning ....🤪...love it

[Papillon17 Half Marathon in reply to Windoze]

Thanks Windoze will do

[Hay2016]

Hi, new here too. Found my way from the thyroid forum. I did the big half last year when there was threat of it being cancelled due to snow. I always run in long tights and I wore a jacket the whole way. Didn’t take water or gels with me but did have one ear plugged into earphones. Ran with a friend so chatted the whole way.

Due to do it again in 2020 too. It was fab you’ll love it.

[Papillon17 Half Marathon in reply to Hay2016]

Thanks Hay2016 hopefully won’t have that worry next year but you never know.?info great to have.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Good luck with your training - sounds like a great cause that will keep you well motivated. Although there is water and fuel supplied during the race, I found I needed to take water with me on training runs. I bought a cheap backpack with bladder for that and experimented lots with what to use for fuel (I love tailwind in the backpack but haven't used it in a race because I drank the supplied water and didn't fancy mixing on the go!)

[Papillon17 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Is it just plain water on the route ?

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Papillon17]

Varies from race to race. Sometimes there will be lucozade or other sports drinks, but there's always plain water to be had. You should be able to find FAQ on the race website, or a race guide from this year's run online which would have all the info in (including where the water/fuel stations are cos that varies from event to event too).

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Papillon17]

Here's a link to a race guide for it in 2018 - looks like lucozade were a sponsor that year! lmfiles.realbuzz.com/LME/20...

[Papillon17 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thank you that’s helpful

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Papillon17]

There may be race reports on this forum from this year's run too if you have a search 🙂

[Papillon17 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks will have a look

[Katnap Marathon]

If you know the conditions will be cold, a Thermos with a hot drink or soup will be welcome!

Train in all weather conditions!

Carrying too much can be almost as much a problem as too little. Your training will give you the opportunity to try different things:

Sometimes you end up wearing the water at water stations. I find it difficult to run and drink at the same time so I have a couple of sips and empty the remainder over my head!

gel packs - some find them disagreeable when running

Tailwind - if gels don't do it for you

Jelly babies - small enough that if you inhale instead of swallow then it won't get stuck!

A small bum bag or similar can help with storage

Oh yeah! Don't forget to wear a smile! 😃

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[Papillon17 Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Thanks Katnap