Yesterday I didi it! It wasn't so planned, but yesterday I was feeling good and decided to give it a go I'm so proud of myself and yesterday couldn't quite believe it.
I used the Nike run club 'HM run', also for some comfort as my longest run so far was 10 miles. I also turned off the strava km announcements, so I didn't know my pace during the run but just ran easy.
I'd say the first 12k or so were good (but mentally i was a bit scared!), but then at 14k I realised I still had over 7k to go which was a bit terrifying - it was at that point when I questioned if I should keep going. I also didn't bring any food!! Which I think would have helped a lot actually. Around here I also took some short breaks from running to reset and whatnot. At 10 miles I definitely got a boost because then I was at my longest run already, and the end was in sight ... but the final 2k! These were tough. My feet were also struggling and I could definitely feel blisters ach. But I completed it! Technically a bit more because I only remembered to set strava at 0.7k at the beginning.. so technically did 22k?
I didn't know my route, but ended up going out of town to the nearest nearby, back again, and around some routes in this town I know. It was only when I got back though that I saw on strava my route... very strongly shaped phallically eek!
Overall though things went well (aside from the poor planning!) and I'm very very pleased - this was my major goal! I ran in 2:04
Advice though if anyone can give it: what plans did people follow after they had completed the distance? I really like following a plan but don't know which to pick. I have no intentions of increasing the distance, but instead to get more comfy with the HM / also faster on shorter distances.
Written by
a_in_gsr
Half Marathon
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That's absolutely mind-blowing!! You're such a strong runner 🙌🙌 very well done, it must be an incredible feeling, especially when it wasn't even planned! 💥💪👏👏👏🥂 I bet you'll be smiling for days 😁😁😁
Look into hydration vests with "soft flasks" in the front. Gives you 1l capacity usually with some space in the back for an extra layer plus pockets for snacks/phone etc. Seems annoying but trust me, they are game changers 👍🏻
I know a man at my home parkrun who is now 75 and runs a 5K regularly in around 26 minutes, I think he has been running for decades unlike me who only graduated from C25K two years ago three weeks after my 72nd birthday.
Amazing! That's a fabulous time and perfectly paced too 👏👏👏I have followed the same plan for each of my HMs, pretty much going back to a 12km long run each time and building up the distance. I have changed my goal HM pace each time, so effectively tried to improve the pace of all the run types in my plan (slow, tempo and speed). In between each attempt at the plan I usually have a few weeks freestyling - maybe shorter faster runs or something like that. But I always need another goal sooner rather than later 😀. Whatever you decide to do, the priority is to continue to enjoy running!
thank you! Yes I was surprised with my splits because usually I'm all over the place
Ahhh okay thanks for the insights!! Because I was also thinking I can't keep doing such long runs every week. But okay building up again (albeit a little comfier / faster) makes sense And yes what I don't want to stop is to lose motivation - that happened to me after my first 10 miles; so hopefully I can avoid that this time.
Fantastic! Well done you! 👏👏👏That's great timing too.
I'm struggling with that distance mentally. I'm fine up to about 12k because I know I can do it. By 13 or 14k I'm really struggling and have to force myself not to stop. At 16k, I'm ok again, but I haven't got much further than that so far. I'm aiming for a half by the end of the year.
Yes I can definitely empathise with mentally struggling - I was also very very tempted to stop during this run! I freaked out a little half way though. What did help me a lot was turning off my Strava distances so I wasn't aware of each km. But I'm sure you can do it! Especially if you're already at 16km Good luck!!
Thanks. In my heart of hearts I think I can do it too. It's just hard to keep believing it when I'm out there. A friend has offered to do it with me. I'm usually a solitary soul, I don't know if it would help or not.
This means so much to me thank you! I feel like you have encouraged me all through reaching 10k and now reaching the HM distance!!
I definitely feel over the moon and super proud of myself too
Ahhh I think I'll give myself these two weeks that I am in quarantine to decide on what programme to doing going into the new year - but I've got a feeling I'll begin a HM programme and really build up again, but comfier with the distances this time.
Great run and what a fantastic time too. Getting the route worked out especially as you venture in to increasing kilometres is always a bit of a nightmare but you’ve done it now and it will be easier next time.
I went back for my long run and rebuilt up from 12k,13k, 16.1k, 18k this week as I felt I needed to build up more strength and explore new runs to help with the distances in preparing for my next half marathon in a couple of weeks time. Hope that helps.
thank you so much! yes I think next time knowing a route would definitely help me also I ended up at home with still 2km to go which was a bit de-motivating!
But ahh okay thanks for that also - yes think I myself need lots more longer runs to get comfy so that souls like a good plan.
Great run and so close to the 2hr mark! 👍 Breaking the 2hrs must look tempting now? I know we always say start slow but it looks like you could have set a higher early pace given that you seem to have had enough beans to increase the pace throughout. Most runs look the opposite to that with a tailing off of pace towards the end. Sub 2hr is clearly and easily on the cards. Being able to run 5:08 pace in the 20th km suggests you're probably in the younger cohort of us on here? 🙂
thank you! On strava my time actually running time was 1h58, but I took stops amounting to 6 whole minutes apparently! i.e. my actual time is 2h04. But yes the 2h is looking like a goal for my next HM
Hmm hadn't actually thought about increasing my pace! I was too concerned about hitting the distance. I too drill it into myself to start slow, but maybe I could increase it a bit. That's crazy to me because just a couple months ago 5:45 was my fastest pace, and now thats my slow / beginning a long run pace!
Well done! It’s a great feeling to achieve this significant milestone! I did my first HM in Sept. I planned it to the letter, took gels, jelly babies and water - and I needed them! I know exactly what you mean about the last 2k... your feet feel like they have weights on them!I followed a plan over a couple of months to achieve 21k, reaching 10k, 12k, and 10 miles along the way. Afterwards, I ‘tapered down’ so regular 5-7ks and a longer run every couple of weeks - for me that’s usually a 10k. My speed at all distances has increased. I never thought I’d enjoy 10k but that is now my favourite distance.
I don’t take anything with me for anything shorter than 10k but if I were intending to run any further, or much longer than an hour, I would. Good luck with your future runs!
thank you so much! Yes I too would usually take dates / some form of sugar on my longer runs... and with this one that went out the window!! Definitely next time I'll come more prepared
Okay thanks for this too! Yes I'm thinking a longer run every couple of weeks of so would be good. Did you get faster just over time? / did you include speed training too? I'd love to get faster on my shorter runs but don't seem to have the power in my legs!
Speed just seems to evolve. I tend to start my runs slightly uphill - that keeps me sensible so I can’t bolt but as I settle in I find my splits get quicker. I did my first 10k this year in July in 1h11. 3 weeks ago I did it in under 1h2m - I’m pleased with that improvement and the 2nd half of that 10k was one of my fastest 5k - so I’m looking now to get under that hour. I find if I try too hard I run out of steam so I plan my route and then just let it flow. If I feel good I can stride out a bit. Sometimes I just don’t feel it though so I just enjoy the run. I think unless you have an event or goal you are particularly aiming at, just go out and enjoy the run and what will be will be.
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I'm so proud of myself and yesterday couldn't quite believe it. 
... but the final 2k! These were tough. My feet were also struggling and I could definitely feel blisters ach. But I completed it! Technically a bit more because I only remembered to set strava at 0.7k at the beginning.. so technically did 22k? 
First HM Distance Covered 😁
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