Today I ran my first half marathon π₯³. I've been following the NRC HM plan but took a slight step back at 10 miles to ease a few niggles and then consolidate that distance. I've had in the back of my mind for a few weeks now that I feel strong, and ready for the HM, but then the warm weather completely knocked me flat - I'm definitely a cold weather runner!
But today was the day. Cool and overcast with a stiff breeze - perfect running weather.
I was a little concerned about nutrition as I like to run early, without breakfast, which is probably not ideal, so I carried a stash of dates and raisins and started snacking early, at about 5k. This seemed to work just fine. I munched away until about 16k, then guzzled a handful of gummy bears to speed me towards the finish π.
All in all I'm very chuffed with how it went. I ran on a glorious traffic free cycle trail that winds up past lakes, high into the mountains. An out and back route where I barely saw a soul just a few sheep and a lone cyclist π. At 5k I did seriously wonder how I could possibly run for another 2 hours, but then I got into my stride and loved every minute. I even managed to spread my arms and play aeroplanes as I turned back down the hill at the half way point π€ΈπΌββοΈ.
Glad to finish though - my toes and back were definitely telling me that they had had enough! And after a 10 minute walk back to the car I was ravenous for that chocolate milk and banana!
Feeling a bit stiff now, and wondering how I should recover? What should my week ahead look like in terms of runs/recovery?
Happy weekend running all ππΌββοΈππ»ππ»ββοΈππ½ββοΈππΌββοΈππ»ππ»ββοΈ
ps. please may I have my badge π
Written by
Woollyweaver
Half Marathon
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Congratulations on completing your first Half Marathon, well done, good time as well, it won't be long before you see the magic words HALF MARATHON next to your username, now go and celebrate your wonderful achievement with π· wine and π cake.
Thank you AlMorr . As chance would have it I did manage to hobble around the kitchen this afternoon and make a yummy ginger cake - just waiting for it to cool down before I tuck in. π
Lol, could you please send me piece of that ginger cake, ha, I am sure you would but I understand that's not possible, enjoy eating it, you thoroughly deserve it.
Yay Woollyweaver what an achievement! I am super happy for you, and it sounds like a smashing run all round. Well done for doing it on an βemptyβ stomach as well - if I could stash an all you can eat buffet on my person, I would π! Plus porridge beforehand. Hurrah! βοΈβοΈβοΈ
Thank you Frenc . It is a glorious place to run and I have done all of my 'milestone' runs there, so every point of the trail is special. I am way too lazy to get up early enough to eat breakfast before a run...but I did make up for it with porridge, poached eggs, toast and a milkshake afterwards π...
πππππ Amazing! Whoop! Whoop! π€Έπ½ββοΈπ€Έπ€ΈββοΈππΌ Congratulations! I lapped up every word (and was especially attentive to your method of nourishment). Sounds such a brilliant run and a beautiful route, too. The stars aligned for you today.
Thank you GailXrunning the stars (and clouds) definitely aligned! I'm afraid my nutrition was not the best, but I was pleased that it worked. I'm way too lazy to get up in time for breakfast and had been experimenting with snacks that my tummy could cope with. I did eat two breakfasts as soon as I got home though π
Having done a dozen solo HMs now, I'm used to it and have usually recovered by the following day.
But after your first, allow yourself a day or two. Walk a bit tomorrow. I'd suggest your next run should be short and easy (about 2-3km maximum) just to check the legs. Your muscles will be tingling a lot by now.
Thank you nowster Wise advice. Happily I'm just a touch achy and stiff today but nothing too debilitating. You've completed an awesome number of HMs - I shall look forward to the day when I take them in my stride too!
Well done Woolyweaver, that's a great achievement! π Did my first one 2 weeks ago and it all feels a bit surreal now. I always have an Epson salts bath after a long run. Don't know if it actually helps, but was recommended to me by a physio, so I do it!Enjoy the buzz - your route sounds awesome!
Thank you Lizcanrun π€And congrats on your HM too. I'm still glowing from the sense of achievement, although I think I'll give that Epsom salt bath a miss - I remember having one once - I overheated so much I think I could have powered the national grid π₯΅π₯΅π₯΅π
Oo, thank you SueAppleRun Goodness knows how long it has taken me to not-quite-complete the plan (I stepped off when all those speed runs got too much for my poor legs π²), but it definitely made me a stronger (and hopefully wiser) runner! I shall be watching your progress and cheering you on as you head towards that finish line π€
Thank you so much, itβs taking longer than a week each five runs though as work is wearing me out a bit. The speed runs so far are fun but I think maybe Iβm not really speedy but hoping itβll get more so as time goes by
It took me roughly 3 weeks to do 2 weeks of the plan - that was doing all 5 runs. After 15k I took a week off (well, I rested for a few days then did a week of just 5k runs) and then I pulled back to 3 runs a week, dropping some of the speed runs. I agree with you - the speed runs are a lot of fun, but I definitely reached a point where I found them more fun than my legs did!!
Make the plan your own, and have fun! π€ΈπΌββοΈππΌββοΈ
Yes thatβs what I like about it, can mix and match and take my time, I had planned to retire by now and work on the HM but Iβm enjoying work so the plan will take a bit longer
Thank you Cmoi I must admit that the views helped a lot - whenever I felt weary I just looked up and drank in the scenery πI like your way of running -it sounds so intuitive. I think I'm still learning what works for me.
I'm very fortunate to live and run where I do, and that has certainly influenced my approach Woollyweaver .
Today I came across a fox and her three cubs in the middle of the road just after I set off, which led to my switching off my Garmin and running purely as I wanted to. Ended up doing more than I'd expected and enjoying it far more too.
The other thing is that so many of the training plans and audio coached runs out there are designed for those running on flat roads and pavements in built-up environments where there are other runners. That simply doesn't work for me: today's 12+km was on single-track country roads and varied mostly stony trails, with 257m elevation gain.
Suitable shoes and clothing, the right fuelling and hydration (or food and drink, as I prefer to call it!) stretching and taking rest days are elements that I'd say are essential. As for other stuff, particularly how you measure running success, I think you have to make your own choices.
Wow! Congratulations π₯³ π ππ» ππ»Good decision as days with a bit of a chill are becoming fewer and further between as we head into Summer. I have no tips other than a long soak and lots of stretches but hope you recover quickly
That step back sounds like a smart move! Since youβre heading straight out the door without breakfast, taking some form of electrolyte drink is probably a good idea.
As for recovery, maybe a few easy 5ks and a few walks? Iβm starting to think that going for a walk soon after a long run is a good way of helping recovery.
I did have an electrolyte drink with me - utterly disgusting, but hopefully it helped!
And thanks for the recovery advice - I'm noticing that my legs are wanting to move, rather than sit for too long, so I've been pottering about and went for a short walk today. I'll probably do the same tomorrow and then try a short run on Tuesday.
I'm so glad that I stepped back from the plan when I did - as much as anything it has certainly taught me to respect my legs, and yesterday they thanked me for it. No niggles, just a few weary aches. I can't wait to plan the next one - after a decent interval, of course! ππππ
Lovely run for you in that cool air. I can imagine the joyous airplane-ing down the hill. I do little skippy jigs to ceilidh music if it's on! Perfect start to your day.π
Thank you Mormor1 .Oo, I love a skippy jig too - I won't sing out loud as I don't want to scare the wildlife, so I'm afraid it has to be the odd Saturday Night Fever strut instead π
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My first Half Marathon training journey begins.
First half marathon completed
My first half marathon!
First half marathon completed 
First half marathon done!!! ππ
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