No goodie bags or bling, just a big smile on my face!

[Week7]

Hi. So , very happy post warning!. I have finally completed the Garmin HM plan (I added an extra week as I felt I needed a longer long run before trying the HM.)I have some time off work so decided today would be the day for the run I have been promising myself for a long time. So..

I headed off to a beautiful Arboretum which I have visited many times with family but never alone! At the entrance a very friendly ticket seller provided me with information about the running trails and all important water fountain .

I started the Garmin and off I pottered. I followed all 5 of the marked routes . Repeating a couple and making the odd detour to visit a couple of favourite trees. The temperature was perfect for t-shirt and capris. The paths were wide and dry. My legs felt strong and breathing easy. No headphones today just trees !!

On completion a quick trip to car for warm clothes then a toasted teacake and coffee in the cafe .

Altogether a perfect day out and another HM completed. (Similar time to previous HMs but a lot more comfortable so I feel that the plan worked!!)

I am continually surprised by the joy this running business provides.

Happy running all.

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Congratulations to you Week7 on completing that HM and feeling much more comfortable than your previous HM's. that plan certainly did work ✔️

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks @AlMorr. It was just one of those perfect rubs on a perfect day!

Hope you are keeping well. Are you parkrunning this weekend?

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

Thanks Week7, I ran my 48th 10K on Wednesday, run OK but during it a small red rash suddenly appeared on my arm and was a little itchy for a short while, however, once I got to 9K it slowly disappeared and so did the itch, once I got home the rash and slight itchiness had completely gone, tomorrow I am the tailwalker at Springburn parkrun.

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Well done on the 48th 10k. Pleased to hear that all was well in the end! Any special plans for the big 50?

Hope you have a good time on Saturday .

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

I will be running two 10K races later this year, the first one will be the second 10K I will run at my local Cumbernauld 10k in September, last September I ran that race event in a time of 1:09:22, the second event race is the big one, the 10K version of the Great Scottish Run, I have been a spectator at this event for the last 7 years so I thought it was high time I took part in it, nothing special for my 50th 10K which probably will be run in April or May

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

A very happy post! That sounds wonderful, well done to you.

How did you find the Garmin plan?

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks . A great way to spend a day off!Wrt5 the Garmin plan. I used the Coach Greg plan with time goal running 4 times per week. I found the variation in the runs kept me interested and definitely strengthened my legs. I have used it before but this time I missed less runs but also had to pause the plan a couple of times for "real life " . The only negative for me was that the longest run was slightly less than 10 miles -but only because I ran it so slowly I guess?! so I added an extra week or so fir comfort.

It suited me and I really like the fact that there is no planning involved -just hit run on Garmin and do as I'm told.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

Sounds as if it worked perfectly for you 🙂

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Well done - that really sounds like a beautiful place to run!🙂

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks it is !

[over61andstilltrying 10 Miles]

Sounds brilliant well done to you 😊🥇🏁🎉🏃‍♀️

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you. It was a really positive way to spend a day off!

[over61andstilltrying 10 Miles in reply to Week7]

I am hoping to run my first ever half marathon on May 18th. My right knee is 'not normal' so I need to manage that while trying to be ready. Have you any advice to being half marathon ready. My main aim will be to complete it and enjoy it and I would prefer to run the whole distance.

It is amazing what we do on days off, isn't it?

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Hi there. Best of luck on 18th May!!! As to advice , I think everyone is very individual. I have been very fortunate and not suffered any running injuries (other than falling over!) So our experiences may be a little different but a few of my personal " must does" are as follows:

-build up mileage very slowly (I like a plan to follow )- there are a few posts about plans etc on this forum if you search HM plans.

-only a couple of gentle run

s in the last couple of weeks before HM day-my plan had taper included.

-hydrate really well in the couple of days before HM

-allow plenty of time for all important loo trips before starting

-only wear tried and tested kit.

-take jelly beans on HM to snack on!!

-start off really slowly. There's no rush. Just one foot in front of the other -a little walk is fine if you need it !

-Don't forget stretches after-I got so excited to finish that I nearly forgot!

Good luck!!!!

[over61andstilltrying 10 Miles in reply to Week7]

Aw ... thank you. My meniscus tear decided to hurt today. I did't even run yesterday. It seems to have a mind of its own. But I'll keep trying. I have repeated to my husband many times that if I reach the start line I will not go off quickly. Haven't really decided a pace, but definitely very slow 😊🏃🏻‍♀️

Thank you again 😊

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Perfect plan to start slow! I have only done 3 "live" races. (2 10k and one HM) .Each time I started well back . Even so , people surged past me a the start. After a while I found myself overtaking a few as I warmed up. A huge confidence boost so definitely start slow !!

Have you had any medical advice about running with your knee injury? As I said luckily I have avoided these things so far!

[over61andstilltrying 10 Miles in reply to Week7]

Loads of advice! Fell from a 3 foot wall while pruning neighbour's over hanging branches. I had completed this task for years and years. but in 2020 I fell boo! Physios have been really helpful getting me walking and then running. But they told me it will never be a normal knee because the meniscus should be cartilage acting as a shock absorber. It heals as scar tissue so no longer a shock absorber apparently. The fractures have healed fine. I had a swell up after 13 months of pain free running but was encourage to go for the half marathon distance when it settled down. Seem to complete physio exercises for years. Sadly I reach say 12km and it says enough. Currently only easy running at low heart rate (trying out my MAF number) with the hope that my knee will let me run on. We'll see ...

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Ouch! So frustrating too. At least the physios are happy for you to run. Everything crossed that the knee settles down again very soon!

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

That sounds perfect, congratulations! 😊it sounds a lovely place ! X

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks. It is a lovely place and lovely to see the old hiding and climbing places visited many times with my now grown up children are still being used !!

[misswobble Marathon]

sometimes things just come together and everything goes perfectly. 👏 😀💪👍🥳

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Exactly that. Right down to a window seat with a perfect view for my teacake & coffee!

[Jools2020 Half Marathon]

Well done for your HM. Sounds like a fab run, with confidence! 👏👍

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to Jools2020]

Thank you.

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

That sounds a perfect run and congratulations on it being a half marathon AND one you enjoyed 😊

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Thank you it was lovely.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

What a wonderful run, and you must be so proud to do the HM distance again, very well done for getting fit enough to do this so comfortably

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you it was a lovely day.How are you getting along?

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Week7]

I'm doing ok thanks, just over 13k this morning, slow but felt great afterwards

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Brilliant. Long slow runs when you are in the zone at just the best aren't they!!!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Congratulations on a great run. It's a wonderful feeling to know that a training plan was worthwhile 🥰