First long & hilly run 🌄

[Lazyfrog]

Done my first 16k run of this year yesterday and chose a trail with some steady, and in places quite steep, incline to prepare myself for the Sheff HM in March. I was quite slow, almost died on the hill (excuse the pun), I think my run turned into a fast climb at some point, and my feet got soaked in various puddles - after the first one I didn't really notice it and at least my trainers had a good clean😄 But I was rewarded with some amazing vistas from the top, I saw some friendly sheep and cattle watching me splashing away downhill and treated myself with a long soak in the bath when I got home 🛀😊

I am quite slow at the minute, especially on an incline ( I did this 16k in 2hrs 3mins) but I still have 8 weeks till the HM. I am going to focus more on speed training rather than just endurance, I've got my NRC plan to guide me. Do you think it's possible to get a bit faster in 8 weeks? I am not expecting miracles but it'd be nice to finish my first ever HM in under 2 and a half hours! ⚡⚡⚡

[Cmoi Marathon]

Based on my incredibly vast experience 😜 of precisely two HM distances and three 10 mile+ runs, all run solo and pretty much unplanned around where I live, I'd say yes, you can and probably will get a bit faster.

I'm no speed merchant, though I do run hills: the better of my two HM times was 2:38:01, 470m elevation gain.

Hopefully some proper runners will be along soon to give you serious advice

Happy running!

[Lazyfrog Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Thanks Cmoi 😊 you definitely have more experience than me, this was only my second 16k run! Hoping to get a bit faster - but tbh I will be probably happy enough if I can finish on race day😂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

That sounds like a tough run! Great training. I always run faster in an event than in a training run - 'race magic', powerful stuff!

[Lazyfrog Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I hope the magic will work on me as well!😁😁

[Lazyfrog Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

It was bit tough but at least I had an excuse to have a long bath 🛀😌