Bristol Half Marathon

[Speedy60]

Never done an actual race in my life. Considering signing up for the Bristol half in September- at least it's all at sea level!

Bit nervous, any advice?

[Hidden]

Speedy follow your desire, if any part of you wants to to it, go for it, I’ve signed up for the Robin hood HM in September, never done a race either, no idea if i’ll make it but better to try and fail than not have a go. Let’s imagine ourselves on a sunny September day ( but not too hot ) crossing the finish line with strong legs 😀🤗

[Speedy60 Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the encouragement. That sounds very Valentine's day - 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.' 😉One of my worries is that I'm a very finicky runner and I'd have to commit to running in any conditions. Good luck with your HM.

[Hidden in reply to Speedy60]

Me too Speedy, hate running in the rain but surely September won’t throw anything too horrid at us, and if it does we can always hide 😁

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Speedy60]

Finicky! 😀 The only races I’m finicky about are massive ones and those with no cake/coffee 🍰☕️

Bristol should be ace! Interesting place 👍🙂🏅. September should be warm at least 🙂

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Ooh Robin Hood ey. I’ve heard locals talk about it but I’ve never done it. Is it Sherwood Forest?

[Hidden in reply to misswobble]

It’s in the centre of Nottingham, so a city run but takes in the embankment along the river Trent, some hilly sections around the castle and up to Wollaton Hall, so a real mix. I lived there for years so know it well and have friends there still, one who should also be running the HM 😊

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Hidden]

I’ve never even seen the hall. It’s on my to-do list. I think it might be a Smithson construct so I’d love to check it out 🤓

Not been in the city centre for yonks, well not in daylight anyway 😁

[Hidden in reply to misswobble]

Yes, you’re right, it was an amazing natural history museum for years, still is but it’s been updated and has lost its magic. 🤗

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Oh that’s a shame 🤨.

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Just do it! 🙂 I can't wait to get back to some proper big races!! I am hoping by the autumn this will be possible!🤞

[Speedy60 Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Do you think a half is a good one to start with?

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Speedy60]

Nothing to stop you taking part in a couple of 10k before then..🙂

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Speedy60]

I turned up for my first ever race, a 10k and it turned out to be 10 miles ☺️ I only found out my mistake once in the ladies loo pre race

I did it though 🙂

[Speedy60 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

🤣🤣🤣😳

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Me too 😃🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Ahh do it Speedy! I’ve never run the Bristol HM, but I’ve run the Bristol 10k, and it’s basically an elongated version of that course. You’ll have a blast! 👏👏👏

[Speedy60 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks CC. I have been a spectator at the Bristol half. Apparently, this year is the first time they're having the 10k and the half on the same day. I did check the route to make sure it doesn't go up to Clifton or Ashton Court. It's all at sea level. 😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Speedy60]

Yes it’s pretty much flat as a pancake, just a couple of little inclines, up onto the Cumberland Basin in both directions. 😀 I always assumed it went up Bridge Valley Road from the Portway up to the Downs, but thankfully not. My friend runs that hill for fun. 😳 You’ll love the course I’m sure. 😀

What’s the date? I wonder if I’m entered in the 10k? I’ve lost track of what I’m doing this year. 🤣

Edited to add that yes I am! 👏👏

[misswobble Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It’s FUN! 😃

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

Go for it! Get a nice training plan together; and if you want to book another, shorter race between now and then, great!

[Speedy60 Half Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

Thanks for the encouragement 👍

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

I love real races with the buzz and the camaraderie and the entertainment along the route, and my first one was a Santa Run 5k, which was my inspiration to run the previous year. This was followed by the first official timed race, the Bristol 10k, which I loved. It’s great having complete strangers cheering you on. If you sign up for the HM, do try a shorter race first so you can familiarise yourself with procedures, and get used to running with others.

[Speedy60 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks. I guess I'm a bit concerned that I will sign up for races that won't happen and I'll end up running virtual 10ks, which is just like my normal weekly run. It would be nice to have a goal to focus on though.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Speedy60]

Yes it’s good to have a plan to keep you focussed 👀

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

You’ve just reminded me that I entered for 2020 but obviously that didn’t happen and so I’ve got a place for 2021! I just had to search my emails because I’d totally forgotten about it as I entered a year ago 🙄

I’ll hopefully see you there. We have loads of time so nothing to worry about 🙂

I’ve done the Bristol 10K and it was brilliant, great crowds, fab atmosphere, very well organised and lots of bands along the route! One of the best I’ve done so I know the HM will be the same. Just longer 🙂

Go on, it’ll be a hoot 🏃‍♀️🤸🏅

[Speedy60 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks. I probably need to get it sorted while there are still places. Hopefully, see you there 👍

[Pugwash Half Marathon]

I did my first (and only!) HM on Christmas Day passed, so it was a "virtual" one (it didn't feel very virtual running it!!).As a newbie I can't offer advice as such, but a thought each on what I did that worked and what I'd do differently. Following a training plan seemed to work despite being counter-intuitive (it didn't wasn't an ever increasing length of runs and had more rest days than I'd have given myself). I was VERY close to cramping up in my thighs for the last 3km (you know, one misstep and the game's over sort of cramp). I had to carry all of my hydration etc. with me and had 2 gels and 350ml of electrolyte drink - I should have drunk more volume and wish I'd had the odd treat like a jelly baby to break things up and had one more gel.

Hope that helps, and good luck!👍🏴‍☠️

[Speedy60 Half Marathon in reply to Pugwash]

Wow, I had planned a Christmas day half, just to take my mind off the c*** of not seeing my beautiful family. In the end, I did it the week before Christmas almost by accident. Although I did it, I really felt the lack of preparedness! I've done another one since and felt much better, but it didn't translate into a better time. My plan is to run one at the end of each month and use the weeks in between to try and improve. 🤞It would be nice to have something to focus all that effort on!

[Pugwash Half Marathon in reply to Speedy60]

An HM per month? That'll be very a impressive feat to complete! I've got to be honest and say that I don't really enjoy anything over 15km so I did my HM to "tick the box", although I'll do the odd one going forward (currently humming and harring over the Bath or Bristol ones). I wish there were more 15km/10 mile challenges but they don't seem to be popular. Good luck with your challenge 👍.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Pugwash]

I’m trying for a half mara per month too. I think I picked up the idea on here 😃

[Pugwash Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I wish you well. I'm currently maintaining a one-per-year schedule😀.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Pugwash]

I meant a run rather than a race 😁. Slow, long run, stop for a snack, check out the view etc. No hurry 🏃‍♀️

[Pugwash Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Oh, never fear - I fully understood! I'm still sticking to one-a-year, in or out of competition.

[Speedy60 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I got the idea from listening to Eddie Izzard. He was saying that the reason people don't run marathons regularly is because they don't run marathons regularly. 🤷‍♀️ He was saying people build up their stamina, run their race and then fall back. I definitely won't be running a marathon - let alone several marathons, but I think I could keep enough fitness going to run regular halves. Good luck with your plan.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Speedy60]

Good old Ed! Interesting guy I loved his Africa challenge. Great watch. He cycles for charity too. Just him, no fanfare. He turned up in my hometown one day. Looking for lunch, he bumped into some secondary school kids, who took him back to school for dinner 😃

You say you deffo won’t be running a marathon 🤔. We never thought we’d start - let alone finish - Couch to 5k 😃. Don’t rule it out 😎

[Speedy60 Half Marathon in reply to Pugwash]

At least you're doing it regularly 😊

[Buddy34 Half Marathon]

Go for it. I also haven't taken part in a real race. It will be brilliant 😊😊

[Speedy60 Half Marathon in reply to Buddy34]

Thanks Buddy. I think I just have to go for it!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Speedy60]

You will! He/she who dares wins. 😃. It’s just for fun first and foremost

If you train properly and get the distances ticked off one by one then there’s nothing to fear 🙂