half incoming

[StringsandKeys]

I’m poised to do the Manchester Half in two weeks . Not really prepped but doing it with my daughter. Any advice for me as I endeavour to take in 13.1 miles . Distance is no stranger to me but this time the longest I’ve run continuously to prep is 7 miles the rest a bit of Jeffing. I know my time will be slow so it’s more any mental tips to keep going. Thanks in advance and good luck to all those taking on races in the next few days!

[Cmoi Marathon]

All I ever do for challenging runs is break them down mentally into do-able chunks, and minimise the whole thing. Also, if you'd like a pompom cheer, and haven't already done so, pop your race details in a reply to the October pompoms thread and we'll organise it for you.

[StringsandKeys Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you that’s good advice of course. It really is the mental tricks to keep going on these runs especially when you’re slower and it takes longer! I couldn’t miss the chance to join my daughter in her first half - she’s loving running which is great to see

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Hi StringsndKeys. Snap. I’m running the Cardiff HM on Sunday and I’ve done next to no training for it due to time constraints. I’m very loosey goosey about it however, and I’m just going to go along and be part of what’s sure to be a wonderful occasion. 😍

My hope is to not need to Jeff (not a fan personally), but I’m going to if I feel I need to.

Maybe take along some treats (jelly babies, or your own personal favourite) and allow yourself some when you’ve reached certain points along the way. Enjoy the support from the enthusiastic crowds, break the HM down into bite sized chunks (5k for example) and mentally tick those off, relax and enjoy it for what it is.

Have fun and good luck. This is what I’m saying to myself too so I’ll let you know if it works! 😅

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Good luck to you CC on running The Cardiff Half Marathon on Sunday, I am sure you will enjoy it, take it as comfortable as you can and of course report back here on how your run went, I know that you don't enjoy jeffing - walk/run but if you need to don't worry, once again good luck. 👍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks AlMorr , I’m definitely intending on enjoying it! 👏👏👏

[StringsandKeys Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Good luck on Sunday I can imagine the Cardiff half will be amazing. Yes good advice re jelly babies I tend to take Dextrose tablets with me but nowhere near as much fun! I think after this I’ll aim for a 10 miler or some trail runs. It doesn’t help that I’m away for a week from Sunday with a big time difference but I’m thinking that will be a good rest period and then couple of short runs when I’m back before the biggie!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

How exciting! Know that the atmosphere on the day will most likely give you superpowers and you will exceed anything you imagined in training.

Breaking the run into smaller chunks as above is a great tip.

Drink and eat, little and often, before you feel you need it (ideally only things you have already tried on your training runs).

Imagine yourself crossing that finishing line, how you will feel.

Make eye contact with marshalls and with the crowd, thank people cheering you on - let them lift you.

And smile!!!

You can most definitely do this. Concentrate on enjoying it. We'd love to read your race report afterwards 🥰

[StringsandKeys Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thank you for the great advice and vote of confidence! Yes walking or running I’ll do the distance but dividing into segments is good advice. I hope you’re enjoying your running.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to StringsandKeys]

Good luck with it. It’ll be fab 😀🏃‍♀️👍

I divide my half mara’s into three bits. Beginning, middle, end. 7k each. Don’t go AWOL in the middle bit. On race day, where it’s a big event with lots going on, it’s easier to stay present in the run than zoning out.

Chatting pace is good as it means you won’t run out of gas too early. Being able to hold a conversation is a good sign 😀

[StringsandKeys Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Good advice thank you!

[StringsandKeys Half Marathon]

thanks all for the great comments. I don’t visit this platform enough but when I do it always lifts me. Good luck all with races and general running! I do have a bonus on my training runs but she won’t be with me on race day! Lily is a brilliant running companion when she’s not distracted by ducks!

Dog watching ducks

[misswobble Marathon]

oh bless 😀. I loved running with my borrowed dog 🐕 I ran with him rather than the other way about 😁

He is done running now so we just mosey about where he wants 🥰

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Hi again StringsandKeys . As promised I said I’d report back after my under trained Cardiff HM yesterday. I did it, although I needed to resort to Jeffing from 13.5k onwards as my legs started to seize up. Not cramp, just plain lack of quad strength.

My time was 25 minutes slower than my PB (which of course I didn’t expect to beat), but quicker than I thought it would end up. All in all it was ace, and yes you can do yours too! 👊

[StringsandKeys Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Great stuff so glad you completed this! Thanks for the support and will think of your words as I go on the 15th