We are going to be starting a new Half Marathon group on Monday, December 2nd. This will give enough time for a 16 week plan to finish at the end of March.
Anyone can join in - this group will be aiming at a Spring Half Marathon in March/April, but if you have signed up for an earlier or later race feel free to join! And you don't have to do a 16 week plan - in fact you don't have to run at an official event if you don't want to! 😊😊😊
linda9389 and I will be publishing regular posts to share useful information and discussion about all things half marathon - it should be a lot of fun!!!
Over the next couple of weeks I will provide some information about HM training plans that are generally available online or in apps - and please feel free to share any you know about!
The plan I drew up myself is available at the link below. It is a 16-week plan aimed at beginners, with the assumption that users have already got to 10K. I recommend that people have run 10K before embarking on a half marathon plan.
You'll certainly know what to expect second time around ... and after all your yoga and strength work you should bè running up those hills as if there's a gale force wind behind you 😍
I'm hoping to be in it to run it too. I have a HM booked for mid-March, just have to see if my foot behaves. Hoping to follow a version of your '9 day cycles' plan again, Not quite back to 10k yet, but may just be there by 2nd Dec 😍🤞🤞🤞
I was supposed to do my 8km tomorrow, but have had a strange on and off pain in the offending foot since yesterday evening. Going to postpone the run for a day or so if it's still odd tomorrow and then will have to skip one of the short runs - no contingency in the plan 🤣🤣🤣
roseabi devised a plan at the start of the first HM group. I used it as the basis for my plan - basically I ran every three days (one of each long, tempo and speed per 9 day cycle) with rest, strength or cross training on the two days between each run. It does mean the long run can fall on any day of the week and parkrun doesnt always fit in, but neither of those things bothered me and I liked the two day break etween runs, especiallyas distances increased. I'm sure there will be more posts on training plans 🙂
Here is a link to the template plan I use; I've had to adjust it to fit the time available - ideally I would have added contingency weeks, but instead I've had to squeeze things up a bit this time! docs.google.com/spreadsheet...
Fantastic. I can build in contingency weeks as my HM isn’t until June and I have holidays in may. I might even do your plan and go up by 0.5km per week. That seems manageable
I’m also back up to 8k this week having been a bit of a slouch since doing 10k several times in the spring and summer. Aiming for 10k by two weeks today.
😱FUN😱 😂 May not be fun but the sense of achievement will be worth the struggle. Should have done the distance when I got as far as 16k, only a couple of runs away or so, but holiday in the Lake District, then all this rain made trips too slippery, acrobatics at my advanced age is not a good idea 😉😀
Yes, please. As you know I have been chasing for one of these so am very pleased you’re doing it. The only problem is that I have been on and off the injury couch for a few weeks now so my 1st March event is not guaranteed...
Well can't I sympathise with that! Sucks, doesn't it. I had to miss one in October- it hurt, but there are plenty more out there. The key thing is nursing the injury and then staying injury free. You will get there but don't let 1st March spoil it for you. In the meantime you can excel in strength and cross training right? 🤪
Loads of support on this forum and in this group - got me to my first half and a couple more; being in this year's spring HM group helped me enormously. Enjoy 😍
I have done precisely one HM before, and the weather was vile. It put me right off attempting another one, hopefully the weather will be better this time and I can enjoy it.
Haha - I see from your recent post that Merlin isn't an app or training plan that I'd not heard of, but is actually your furry running buddy 🙈🤣, Do you have a specific event booked in April?
Thanks. I did actually manage one myself after work a few weeks ago... And came very close on a lovely morning Run in the summer. But I would love to do an event. 👍
Yes please. I'm doing Cambridge half in early March so have already started using yr plan. Be great to have some company. Thanks to both of you for organising.
I’m on the final week of B210K for the third time 😁 and had already taken a look at the HM plan again. The timing of this post couldn’t have been better 😀
No HM events planned, would just like to get up to HM distance again 🏃🏼♀️
Worth a look, see if anything takes your fancy. I need an event for motivation, much respect for people who stick to the training just because they decided to do it for themselves, but I don't think I could do it
The group has run twice before. Best to follow roseabi or myself then you won't miss the regular posts. We have also had a strava group if that's of interest. More on that soon 🙂
Up to you. It can be quite sociable - especially in a group like this. I don't use NRC, but it may automatically upload to strava for you if you set it up
Yes please roseabi ! I’ve already run the distance, but hopefully following your plan will help me get a better time when I do the Bath Half in March. Plus I’m a sucker for a Plan! 😀🏃♀️
Ok, I’ll try again - yay?!!! I hope I’ve learned a lot since last time. For starters a half marathon is booked this time, the Shakespeare Half on 26th April, and I am having monthly sports massages to try and iron out (she should use a proper hot iron, it might hurt less!) my tight right leg. If I get through the Shakespeare I’d like to try another one out later on in the year (😱).
I only missed out last time by 2.6 miles so I am very nearly, nearly there.
Me too! The real attraction for me was free entry to the palace gardens - although I guess they won’t be at their best in March! Although flat is also good 😃
I've booked Kew 10k already - not til Sept - largely for a nice free day in the gardens! Can't imagine anything more lovely than a run round the gardens , followed by the rest of the day pootling around Kew
That’s really lovely news Sandie. I think you will be very motivating for me as I follow your posts with interest. Excited to see the palace garden’s hopefully wearing a medal !
I'm definitely going to enter at least three hms early next year as "prep" for an attempt at a FM I'm not sure which ones yet though - still researching - but hoping to improve my times
Is it worth me “adjusting” to distances in Miles rather than KMs? Will most of the discussion on here be re how many miles?? For me half of it is the mental battle so any guidance from benefit of experience on whether tactically I am better switching to miles much appreciated.
I only ever do kms in training 🤣 but it's a good point - sometimes signage on the route is in miles, sometimes in kms. My son had only ever trained in kms and didn't know how many miles it was. Unfortunately all our signs for LLHM were in miles - consequently his race was a good mile longer than he was expecting on the day 😍😍😍
Excellent. Take a look at the plans linked in the post or see if there's one online you prefer. I'll add you to the group. Have you entered an event or just want to get to the distance for yourself?
I’ve not entered an event - I’ll see how I get on with the plan and if it’s looking like I might actually complete it then I can book something. Thanks - I’ll have a look at the plans
Oops! OK my HM targets are Gransden Muddy Fun Run 26/1/20 and Cambridge HM 8/1/20. I’m aiming to do the Boundary Run on 1/3/20 as a full one but can cut it down to a HM or 10mile. I should know by the Gransden HM what I’m likely to be up for in the Boundary run which is a few weeks later. D
Yes it’s a bit of a step change! Currently going through the increase volume stage and am managing 31 miles per week over 4 runs: 1 speed (5k-ish); 1 tempo (10k-ish) & 2 long (10 miles+). Trying to increase volume by a mile a week. Finding it pretty tough but just about manageable!
I’m in too. Signed up for Liverpool Rock n Roll in May but am considering doing a HM in March too. Haven’t put my money where my mouth is yet though - see how much running I do this side of Christmas!
I’m in. 😊. After running 8.25miles yesterday for the very first time I finally believe I can do a half marathon. So I’m signing up for one in June. Thank you. 🏃🏻♀️😊
Count me in - I need motivation now I’ve finished Jujus plan. I’ve not got a half booked but it will help my fitness and maybe I’ll book one nearer the time
As I've just worked up from 10K to 16 during the last 5 or 6 weeks (for my 10 mile badge) should I start from week 8? Or just reduce back and start from the beginning?
Depends how quickly you want to get to the full distance 🙂 It's always good to dial it back a bit occasionally to help prevent injury, so if you aren't in a hurry you could consider dropping distance back a bit and putting extra focus on the faster runs. Consolidate for a few weeks. Alternatively, carry on from where you are now. The choice really is yours 🙂
I’ve sort of got a plan in mind to get from 10 miles in time for Hampton Court HM in March, but a bit of extra support and some companionship through the cold winter months would be very welcome 😃
I was bamboozled..by Cheeky! Have been looking at local HMs. They have tough sounding names like “Hardmoors”. Will have to get OS map and walk the courses I think. Will look for something March onwards. GNR is almost autumn time.
Is it okay to join even if I have my own beginner half marathon training plan that I'm following? It would be great to have some support on here though, I'm running the Bath Half on the 15th March for the very first time!
Either now or when the group is up and running, I am really interested in getting member's thoughts on nutrition. Both general diet, and also particularly immediately before/during/after a longer run. I've not really had to think about taking on food and fluid during runs as the maximum I've ever done is 10k and the one time I did try to drink (water stations during a hot day 5k) I just ended up throwing it all over the place and not in my mouth!
Any guidance and tips on this for during training amd the event itself most gratefully received. Thanks.
My HM is in August, so summer rather than Spring: my spring target is a hilly 10k in May. After the 10k I plan a week’s rest then a 12 week HM plan leading up to August. Don’t know if that qualifies me for this group or if I should wait for the next one.
I've been thinking about this all day!! There's lots of reasons for me to back out, but hey I'll give it a go. Why not!!
I've had a look at the plan and there' s several weeks when I cant run 3 times a week. I may have to extend the time or scale the distance back to 10miles.
In terms of events I've only done 1 park run, but I like the idea of the Liverpool half marathon at the end of May. 😯
Fabulous - you're in! Now at least you can stop thinking about it. Life always gets in the way of plans - good things like holidays, bad things too. We become quite adept at amending plans on the fly 🤣. A few people in the group are also doing the Liverpool rock and Roll and there are some run reports on here from people who did it this year if you check back through old posts - all positive as I remember :). Let us know if you sign up for it.
Only running twice a week needn’t stop you, don’t worry. I’m a twice a week runner most weeks (I do a ‘something’ else to add strength as often as I can). Just adapt your training plan. 👍
Here is a link to my version of roseabi s plan - I run every third day, so one week there are two runs, the next there are three. Spreading it out to just two runs a week would be absolutely fine if it's still too much on my version 🙂 docs.google.com/spreadsheet...
Just make a plan that will work for you; incorporate each of the three run types spread out as much as you need ... and if it's not working for you timewise, you can adapt it as you go. Far better spread out than all crammed in to a short space of time - more on that in future posts I'm sure 🙂
I only read about the Liverpool event on here! It all feels rather scary and I didn't intend to do this!!!! 🤔 I do recognise some of the names on here from bridge to 10k, which is good.
My first task will be to flex the credit card and buy some winter running gear! 😁😁
That sounds fun! It's not scary really - it's just like extending 5k to 10k really, and you've got lots of time til the Liverpool event so wouldn't have to rush 🙂
I am so late for this and have been tootling along with my training so far... but I would like to be included again this year. After all..it got me through last March
This will keep me focused!
My HM is the Monsal Trail again at the end of March... and I am aiming for a slightly faster time ( currently predicted at 2 hr 17.. ha ha ).
The 5k and 10k times are faster, so HM should be too. Whether you hit 2:17 or not doesn't matter, but there's a very real chance of a PB there - nice 😍
The pace you are currently running, I would have thought 2:17 should be well within your sights. I will be there to cheer you home again after I’ve finished the 10k x
I think I need an HM plan. Just back from a text interrupted really really slow pants 11k.... only good point was the 135 average heart rate. Not at all in the mood! Unlike me to have a drop off in enthusiasm🤷🏻♂️. Maybe running through mud up hills in trail shoes isn’t the stuff pbs are made of!! So, no race in mind but a structured effort to get back to HM seems like a plan. I will enter the ballot for the GNR next year, but will look for a 10 mile before then.
This looks awesome, definitely something I want to do, but as I'm only on Week2 of JuJus Magic 10k plan, I'm probably not going to be quite ready to start at the beginning of December.
I'm hoping to do the Plymouth Half in May, so will likely make use of your plan but start in January instead.
Wow, that's quite a time to beat! You may like to join the group anyway, people all tend to be following different plans and throw in holiday weeks etc. And you'll have the common goal of a spring HM. There are others in the group whose races aren't til May too. Would you like us to add you?
Brilliant, I'll add you to the list now! Yep, the info and support should be great. Everyone's plan will be different anyway. I'm currently on week 4 of Ju-Ju's plan (coming back from injury), so not far ahead of you 😂 Good luck!
To be clear, this is not a plan, it is a group. People will be using whichever HM training plan they have found most appropriate to their needs, and sharing their experiences with the group. So you should find this very helpful for when you are ready to start working on a half marathon 😊😊😊
Ha, I saw your other comment first! Anyway, to reiterate, this is not a set up like ju-ju's plan, so do just follow our posts to get useful information!
And that is going to be really interesting - looking forward to your report already!!!
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