Moving up to 1/2 marathon

[Grannyhugs]

I currently run and walk loads every month, I’ve just finished 12 months of over 100km running a month. January was over 250km combined running days and walk days. I don’t go for speed so 10miles takes me 2 hrs. Given the choice most of my runs are 10k with one a bit shorter or longer. I throw in 10miles if I feel like it, seldom planned before hand.

Here’s my plan. I’m starting to look after toddler hugs 2 days a week so that means an enforced 2 day rest from running which I very seldom do. So I thought Monday long run, toddler hugs Tuesday, Wednesday, 10k Thursday, shorter run Saturday. I started today with 12k - well within my reach. If I increase my long run by 2k each Monday then I should be reaching half marathon distance mid March. Does this sound reasonable? I’m in no rush to reach this distance and originally thought May but as I run best in cooler weather March/April is possibly a better time. Happy running everyone 🤗

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Sounds perfect GH! You’re a sensible runner, and in any case HM is “only a Parkrun” more than 10 miles.

Good luck with your training. HM is such a great distance to achieve and it makes you even more appreciative how loooong a full marathon is!

Toddlers are such fun aren’t they? Our little grandson is similar in age to yours I think. 🥰

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Having not seen him for 5 weeks I cant believe the difference. He had really started walking at the start of November then was able to stand up without hauling himself up when I last had him in December. Yesterday he had his big boy shoes on and was so proud walking the pavement with me. 1 at the end of the month. 🥰

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Grannyhugs]

Ahh yes, of course. Ours is 16.5 months so a little older. Running around everywhere, making some animal noises, some words. My daughter is a BSL interpreter so she’s teaching him some sign language too! ❤️

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I love that he's learning BSL as well - it's so much easier for littlies to pick up languages, whether spoken or other. 🥰

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Brilliant, mine had learnt up and food so far 🤣

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

I want your plan GH! Toddler hugs Tuesday and Wednesday sounds magical 🥰 but mind you I’m not sure it will be much of a rest 🤔

It all sounds good though, you’ve been running grand distances consistently and you’ll get to HM with no problem. The only thing I’d say is make sure to mix up your runs a bit with intervals/hills/speed, etc. Perhaps you’re already doing that.

But good luck, relish the hugs and, most importantly, enjoy yourself 🏃‍♀️😀

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you. I dont do intervals, need to start adding hills. My main aim is to keep average HR at 155 instead of the 180 - 200 it was last year🤣 hugs are amazing, so nice to have him back but shame his daddy is now on 5 week army training 8 hrs away.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

What a wonderful plan and baby hugs is grown into toddler hugs already? time really flies, I went to hug (briefly and as socially distanced as a hug can be) my first born grand baby as it was his 18th birthday the other day

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to SueAppleRun]

Aw bless, so hard not getting those hugs. My daughter is working full time and her husband has just started 5 week army posting 8 hr drive away so delighted to be doing my bit to look after him. He started walking at 9 months, too early, no sense. 1 at the end of February

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Grannyhugs]

My son was a very early walker, oh a delicious age which only gets better and better

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

How wonderful! Sounds good. Make sure you have a cutback week every month for recovery. If an increase of 2km per week gets too much, you can alway try a 2-3k jump every two weeks instead. Good luck and let us know how it's going

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to linda9389]

Thank you, will do. As I say no rush. I'll know when it's right and when it's too much. Could do it without increasing my total monthly distance, no desire to increase it.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Grannyhugs]

That sounds very sensible too 👍

[Hidden]

You've got your plan all sorted there Grannyhugs 👍but explain the time travel, is it really a whole yr since baby hugs was arriving, jeesh where's that year gone x

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. 🤣🤣 that's been some crazy year hasn't it.poor baby knows nothing but lockdown and restrictions

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Grannyhugs]

It seems unfair on them but hopefully they’re young enough to forget it My neice had to take her toddler son to hospital last March and he had to wear a mask She made him one from some fabric he chose 😕

We’re missing him and his brother very much but get regular updates and videos

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to misswobble]

We are lucky that we moved 100 miles to be in the same village last May so now just 500m away. Such a delight to now be so close to the whole extended family although it's only him and my daughter we can see just now🥰

[Hidden]

The benefits of being an infant! Precious times Grannyhugs

[Peter44 10 Miles]

Sounds a good plan GH, i'm like you, not done interval runs, and not many hills either, once i've sorted this niggly hip pain, would like to head towards HM, but slowly! Have a nice time with baby hugs tomorrow. ☺

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to Peter44]

Thank you. This time last year, before I moved house, I started tackling hills and got really good at them. Moved in May and now have miles to run relatively flat or steep hilly sections. Hubby heads to the hills every time, I take the easy option. Time for me to start on those hills again I think, they are so good for me if i can keep HR down while going up them. Hope your hip sorts itself out soon. Are you feeling better today, you missed your run yesterday?

[Peter44 10 Miles in reply to Grannyhugs]

Feel ok today, think i had a reaction to some stronger painkiller, going to rest this week ☹Really need to add more hills, my daughter hates them! 🥵

Might struggle with the 100km this month! ☹

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to Peter44]

Don’t push too far this month, you’re loosing days at the start and it’s February so only 28 days, nothing is worth that much stress. If you do it, great, if not, you’ll have had enjoyed the runs you did do.

[Peter44 10 Miles in reply to Grannyhugs]

Yes, your right, wont push it, as plan to rest until the weekend, which is all new to me, and frustrating, but hey, there's much worse things going on right now! ☹

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

Sounds like a sensible plan. You run and walk so far and every day, so if you have a couple of non-running days each week, I don’t think you’ll have any problems. You might have a bad back from bending over to keep hold of baby hugs as he careers all over the place though 😂😂

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to Sandie1961]

You are so right there, hes had his 1st independent walk outside too so that's a whole lot of extra fun 🤣🤣

[Jonno34 Marathon]

You could enter the Cambridge virtual half in March. There is a listing on here somewhere and a sort of group aiming for it.

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to Jonno34]

Thank you, maybe too much pressure to reach the distance in uncertain weather conditions in Scotland.

[Couchphoenix Half Marathon]

Well done GH, I’m sure a half marathon will be more than achievable given the distance you’re covering. I’m aiming for that this year 👍

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to Couchphoenix]

Thank you, and good luck to you too when you head on the new journey.

[Tasha99 Marathon]

Drop back every 4th week

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to Tasha99]

Thank you, I'll bare that in mind.

[Cmoi Marathon]

I managed HM accidentally and with much less experience and dedication than you Grannyhugs , so I'm sure you'll have no problem achieving it!

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you, my instinct is that I'll probably do an accidental ½marathon too, my 1st 10 miles only came about from deciding to do it rather than building up specially, each one since has been decided midcrun 🤣

[Groam]

Just in time for Paris virtual half. 😁🏃‍♀️

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

It sounds like a great plan Grannyhugs, and I bet you’ll enjoy those days with toddlerhugs too.

Just listen to your body, and you’ll get there, I’m sure.

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you🤗

[Hareshaw-Granny]

All I can add is WOW, what an amazing goal you have in your sights. You are a complete inspiration, good luck and happy running. Let’s hope the Scottish weather is kind to you. 🏃‍♀️👍

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to Hareshaw-Granny]

Thank you. I have a pair of YakTrax being hand delivered by our local outdoor sports shop tomorrow, the local young ones say they are great for running in snow and ice so the 5 say storm due tonight can be a good test of them. May just try walking in the. First though

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Hey you!

Great plan, and great choice!! Half marathons are fab xxx

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to roseabi]

Thank you, this may be the one and only attempt as will take a long time

[Elfe5]

...Then there will be those mini sprint races with toddler hugs...😄

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to Elfe5]

Oh my, too true, currently he likes to be chased round the breakfast bar, even better if I change direction and shout boo 🤣

[Over62 Half Marathon]

Sounds like a good plan to me - good luck and thoroughly enjoy toddler hugs, such a special time and then celebrate the HM in March 🏃🏻‍♀️👍🎉

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to Over62]

Thank you. I somehow think the ½marathon is more achievable than getting toddler hugs to sleep in his cot for me🤣

[Over62 Half Marathon in reply to Grannyhugs]

🤣🤣👶

[skysue16 Half Marathon]

All the best with your training - my goal for this year too. . I don’t think you will have any problem getting to HM distance 😊👍.

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to skysue16]

Thank you