Hello everyone

[chrisl72]

Hi there,

I've been lurking here for a while, long since past the point when I should have said "hello"! I'm continuing my journey from Couch to 5K at the start of the year, 10k, and now building towards half-marathon distance. My next long run is 10 miles. I'm on the NRC HM plan.

I'm being encouraged to consider entering Colchester Half Marathon on 17 March! Never really had any intentions about entering races, yet I'm finding myself thinking about it! 😮😰😱

All the best 👍

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Welcome here Chris, that's a good plan to follow, I got to 10 miles on it and something went wrong so I gave up, lost my run progress, you have plenty of time to train for a HM so I'd say go for it. I'm aiming for HM by Easter but not a race

[chrisl72 Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Hi SueAppleRun , lovely to see you here! So frustrating when the tech lets us down, I've got on ok with it so far. Best of luck with your Easter goal

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to chrisl72]

Thanks

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Hello and a very warm welcome to this forum! The NRC plans are very popular, you will be in safe hands as you progress to 21.1k. It's clearly going well so far. Do let us know when you complete that first 10 mile run because we have a shiny 10 mile badge waiting for you 😊

If you're tempted to try the Colchester event, go for it! Looking at last year's race it seems to be a medium sized event with around 1500 runners, and a cut off time no less generous than 4 hours. The route is described as 'moderately hilly' with an elevation gain of around 125m over the 21.1k. With four aid stations along the route as well, it sounds like a nice run.

Be warned though, events can become addictive ... 🏅😎

[chrisl72 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thank you linda9389 , I will be sure to do that (New badges to earn ) Yes, Colchester is pretty hilly, and the route includes the fearsome North Hill - steep and not insignificant length. I would never have even considered it if I hadn't done my first Parkrun a few weeks ago and had a great time!

[misswobble Marathon]

Hello 👋

Nike guided runs are fab, and with so many to choose from, you’ll be kept busy 🏃‍♂️🙂

Races are such fun 😁 If you’re training for a half marathon then a race at the end of it would be the icing in the cake 🧁

Good luck 💪👍🙂

[chrisl72 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thank you misswobble , another NRC fan I see

[misswobble Marathon in reply to chrisl72]

Absolutely! However, it’s not without its glitches. On my last run Coach B was talking to me for quite a bit and then went quiet on me. The run was totally unrecorded 🤷‍♀️😤. hmmmfff ☹️

[chrisl72 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

That's really frustrating - I've had it happen once or twice but not recently.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Welcome Chris 🙂 to our running family here. We hope you’ll stick around and share your news and enjoy reading about your VRBs and what they get up to.

You’ll get lots of support here on your way to your next goals and, as Linda says, we have shiny new badges for each big milestone so that’s something to get excited about! 😂

I can totally understand how you're tempted to do a race. I only ever entered a 10K after C25K because I wanted some bling and once I’d done one….. well, let’s just say that was the start….🏅

Good luck with the training and keep posting…. 🍀

[chrisl72 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you Irishprincess , another very warm welcome Yes, I can see how it might balloon out of the 'just this one' approach!

[Katnap Marathon]

Hi chrisl72 Go for it! Now you have done parkrun, consider doing a 10k or a 10 mile race during your training for the HM. That way you can make the training more interesting and practice race day hydration and nutrition. And experience a paid for event before the big day!

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[chrisl72 Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Thank you for the encouragement, Katnap Love the username by the way! I will have to check what runs are going on in the meantime

[Tasha99 Marathon]

Do it do it do it

[chrisl72 Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

😀

[Freecloud Marathon]

I think you're doing brilliantly and will be more than capable for the HM in Colchester.

You did very well when you did your 15k on the 7th and should look at repeating that for the hm.

Just run it at a nice steady slow pace and you'll enjoy it more. I've gone way to fast on a few and have always paid the price.

I'd also recommend NRC training plan and the HM one itself is also very good. I used to always listen to them when going out for a run or race. I just listen to audio books these days.

It's always a bit nerve-wracking when training and running in the first races. But you might get hooked on the things like me 🤣.

[chrisl72 Half Marathon in reply to Freecloud]

Thank you Tony, that's so encouraging. While I've been taking in the speed runs in my plan and doing my best with them, it is the long steady runs that' I've really enjoyed - and seeing just how far I can manage! I feel there is a bit of a mental barrier at 10 miles, but the incentive of having an event to prepare could give me a bit more to get me through it!

[GTFC Marathon]

This is awesome mate. Love it. Good luck in the 10 miles. It's my absolute favourite distance. Like Tasha99 says, go for it and get that HM!

[chrisl72 Half Marathon in reply to GTFC]

Thank you - all being well I should nail that run later this week!