Last Monday, nearly six years after my first attempt, I completed my fourth Half Marathon. It wasn’t a race; just me on a disused railway line and forest trail completing my latest saunter through the NRC HM Plan. The first three HM’s all had surrounding issues which affected my pace/stamina/ state of mind on the day, so I have always had a sense of “could do better”/ unfinished business.
On the day, if we ignore a cold blustery wind and a bit of rain, the signs were good. I had already run a 2:25:53 20k earlier in the programme, which I had finished feeling surprisingly comfortable. However, things started to unravel a bit from the start; for example, the commentary on the NRC Plan was in silent mode! So I was on my own. I found a good comfortable pace and was feeling ok, until I reached 10 miles, and realised that I had set off far too quickly. I carried on regardless and was ok until the last 2 k when things got very ragged; I was very tired when I finished.
I beat myself up over it later, but now that the mist has cleared, I realise that I have managed to complete a HM in 2:34:09, 9 minutes quicker than my previous best, now aged 72, and I just need to accept it graciously. I am not planning to give up HMs, but that “never done my best” feeling has gone and I am really pleased that it has. I will stick with my 3 run per week pattern; a 5k, a hill run and an easy paced long run (starting at 10/12k) and see where that takes me. Where might that be? ….not chasing HM PBs, that is for sure. That is one job which is finally done 👍.
Thanks to the many amazing VRB’s who have helped so much along the way. 🙂
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Beachcomber66
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Well done Beachcomber66 I think you’ve made the correct decision to not chase HM PBs anymore. You’ve found a running pattern that works for you, so it’s great!
Best of luck for the future: I hope you continue to enjoy getting out there and doing whatever suits you 👍
Really well done BC, and I’d call that a great time! Gosh, no commentary? Did you have music at least? It’s a long way to run in silence. I hate when tech doesn’t do its job, so extra kudos if you were running on your lonesome. 👏👏
Good old NRC plan though, getting you back there again. Might you go through it again, or perhaps follow another plan? I did W7R2 this morning (you might remember I’m doing all 5 runs per (elongated) week. Still plenty of time until Cardiff in October!
Oh, snap on the PBs thing. I’ve extended mine to any distance though, not just HM. The longer I run for (I think my 6 year runniversary of starting C25K is around now), the less inclined I feel to chase them! My buzz comes from simply running - and I agree about NRC intervals, they’re brilliant! 💥
Anyway, you’ve definitely lived up to your name of Captain Sensible, and it paid off big style! 🥰
Hi Cheeky. Not a sound out of my headphones, unless I paused to let a car pass where the trail crosses roads. I am quite happy with silence as I run, but a bit of coaching on a long run helps my concentration, and coaching definitely makes intervals enjoyable. I ran with Chelsea this morning 🙂. I will stick with the NRC HM plan but I might adopt your extended week approach.
Helpful though he is, I have decided that CB isn’t coming on holiday with us; I am happy just running along taking in the Scilly surroundings…and hopefully we will have a bit of warmth and even some sun! I might win the white legs award this year as things stand!
Don’t talk about legs. Mine are shocking in their whiteness! I hope you do get some sun and warmth on your hols - I know we grumble when it’s too hot, but right now I’d love some. We haven’t even changed over to our summer duvet yet! 😅
My plan is going well thanks. Intervals this morning with Coach Cory, as I didn’t go to PR. I often do my long run on Sundays, but probably not wise after the intervals today, However as I’m extending the weeks, I might end up doing the 15k planned run next weekend instead and make it R5. The beauty of flexibility! 🙏
Well, putting aside the fact that many folk, years younger than you, would be pleased with that time - I just want to echo the general feeling that letting go of finish times is no bad thing! I am guilty myself of wanting to get faster (despite the opposite seeming to be true!🤣) but when I look at the runs I have enjoyed the most recently, they are the ones where I ran by feel and took my time!
Any future Half Marathons (and I do have plans😉) will be all about ‘finish lines not finish times’ for me!🙂
I think that some pace work is essential for me. After a running break I go through a period when AHR goes up and VO2 max goes down on all runs (we probably all experience the same thing). Intervals between long slower runs help to restore fitness gradually and AHR returns to normal. I have been chasing a HM time which satisfies me for a long time; it is a relief to feel that there is nothing to chase any more…..as you say finish times can’t be the driver indefinitely.🙂
I think a lot of us have that “could I do better” feeling. And then when we read about your 9 minute improvement we get all excited and need to get going again!
You deserve all your success BC as you have been diligent with your runs 🙂
Have a fabulous holiday and enjoy every minute 😎😍x
Well done, I remember you starting the NRC HM plan, you have more staying power than me, think I gave up about week 3, maybe once I'm settled .That was mostly a good enjoyable run by the sounds of it, 😄
Thanks SAR; I have been through the plan a few times now. Last year Covid struck a couple of weeks before the HUHM, so I lost a bit of pace. Hop that you are settled in now?
It's been the distance that's been the real problem, I've done it both ways 5 times now and it's 4-5hrs driving each way, so the rest of the day and the next I'm shattered, but apart from the occasional visit I'm done now
That was a fabulous HM BC. If it has put ideas of PB chasing to bed one and for all, even better. Although I can't help saying ... never say never 😍 It was well deserved on the back of all your diligent efforts and resilience in the face of a variety of incidents and injuries. A lesser runner might have long since given up.
I'm not sure I've any PBs left in me but somehow I can't see my head accepting that in the near future - I'm very envious of your new found state (peace) of mind. Well done all round.
Hello Beachcomber, I hadn't clearly, been up with your runs. I certainly hadn't realised that your recent HM was number 4. Many congratulations for all of them with their various challenges. There is this chasing PB thing, but all the other numbers and factors too! I have recently, as you probably know, become aware that there is not only elevation ascent, but also elevation descent. And then of course, what sort of elevation gain or descent; seriously steep or lots of gentle making up to the same number. Ah then heart rate and VO2 max. Oh it is all such fun! Somehow yesterday my VO2 max went up to the highest it has been since it dropped for my HM. And this was for 11.6km and 189m elevation gain, I have a few ideas why, that's, of course, bearing in mind that our Garmin watches can't really give us the truth of the matter. And then there is terrain. The pick your foot placings carefully because of tree roots, boulders, uneven ground, long grass, puddles and mud, not to mention stiles and gates compared to the easy peasy 'whizz' along on an unobstructed pavement. Ah and what about the auto pause on versus off. Mine has been on for years, but obviously "race" times don't subtract the pauses. Sorry this should be more about your amazing 9 minutes 9 seconds serious time improvement and finding that you have removed the never done your best feeling. Wow and great! Not to mention all while missing CB and having silence! Even more wows! So even more congratulations from me.
🏃🏻♂️🏆🍾🥂👏🏻👍🌟 💥⚡️🎉😊🏃🏻♂️
I wonder how Mrs BC has been finding your achievements? And I hope that you both have a lovely holiday in every way.
🙂 All sorts of variables, but this one was over much hillier terrain than my first (which was the previous PB) and my garmin setting never changes. I am deliberately not dissecting it; just putting it in the “job done” box. If I run another one it will be for enjoyment only. Mrs BC is fine about my running; she knows that I know what I am doing, so doesn’t worry about it, and she knows that it is good for me physically and mentally. When I come back, first job after my shower is walking Molly together, often with a cafe call for coffee (sausage for Molly). My running routes are just a warm up walk from home. So all good 🙂
Congratulations BC - it sounds as though that HM has really laid a ghost to rest for you. I agree about PBs - I've resigned myself post-pandemic to 'not getting there' again - it definitely takes the pressure off and helps you to just enjoy running!
Thanks JP ……resigning yourself to not getting there again is good…..if it does happen it will be a nice surprise! There is currently over a stone less BC than there used to be (pre diabetes diet!). Maybe that has helped. Just enjoying running is the key to this.🙂
Many congratulations on this great HM time 👍and my limit is only10km. I'm the same age as you and started the C25K at 65. I started doing the parkruns here in France and my PB was 28:28 in 2018. Parkruns are currently suspended in France but we can still run the same course and two weeks ago, I managed 28:24 on my Garmin and my "chimp" was telling me “never done my best” !! I really want to carry on running three times a week so I need to set my gold standard to be under 30:00 once per year😉 PS I run with an 80 year old cancer survivor woman who finished in 31:03 this week.
Thanks whibbles! I started aged 66, so we are both late starters. Your Park Run PB is only a second different to mine; I don’t chase 5k or 10k pbs any more, but I do intervals regularly, so if I feel the need for speed it is there. My long runs probably reflect where I live; a short warm up, walk for an old railway line and woodland which leads on to the North Yorkshire Moors. All on my doorstep. I started running 6 years ago, and I didn’t know it at the time, but trails are harder on the ankles and calves than roads. That meant I found a physio early on in my “career”! Upside, I am pretty strong those departments now. We just do what we can for as long as we can; please tell your running friend “chapeau” from me ….she is an inspiration 🙂
Having run just one accidental half marathon (well I got to 10 miles and just decided to press on at the time), I think it’s astonishing that anyone your age still has it in them, never mind a personal best too at 72. Congratulations BC it sounds like you have made a good decision to not chase them anymore. Just enjoy the memory of this final one and the running that lies ahead of you.
I think you did amazing! Especially with no CB. I'd be over the moon with that time.....I understand the unfinished business/never done my best feeling. I was on to run my first HM 6 years ago when my health took a nose dive. I did finally do the race the next year, but on run/walk. Another couple of years on, another nose dive, and another run/walk HM. This year I trained well but something always happened on the longer training runs, very low blinding sun was one, gale force winds was another. I ran 10K on the next race before having to swap to run/walk, and finished feeling dreadful. My time was 3:15, not quite what I'd hoped for...
Do I press on and see if the next one will be better? Not sure... I have a free place for next year for the charity I volunteer for, but not sure I can put myself through that again. (My health is still a bit grim!) I'm 64
I think that a number of things have to fall into place on the day, especially if a race is involved; so luck plays a major part. I have run all of my HMs solo (although one was planned to be the GNR and two were HU runs) on the tails which lie on my doorstep, so generally I have run on a day when I felt ready rather than having to hit a particular predetermined day. Carpe diem and all that!
Congratulations BC, that’s a great time especially on that terrain. I love reading your run reports. Always very interesting and thought provoking. I might even consider doing another HM myself sometime but need to be better prepared so I’ll have a look at the NEC Plan !
Well done for that glorious PB, even though the run wasn’t quite as planned!
I hear you though. I am torn between wanting a fast result and wanting to enjoy a steady run. The stars don’t often align to have both! A slow, steady run is better for my mental health and brings me peace, but a faster run gives me that runner’s high!
So we run faster when we need a high and steadier when we need peace. I know what you mean. Probably why I usually run solo; so I can pick the pace to match the mood.
I was thinking about what you said about running solo. I’ve mainly done that, too and I get so much out of doing that - at one with nature etc etc. alone with my thoughts. - but running with others also has a place 😊. I like that, too !
I am quite happy running with others sometimes too. Really good to meet up with VRBs for example.
Not so much a problem now, but for “big runs” HM and 10 miles, I was always anxious about being fit and ready on a specific day. The legacy of frequent injuries I think.
Famous last words, but I am more resilient now 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞
I think you have come out all the wiser. Sounds like a terrific plan for the future and you'll go into your next HM with a brand new mindset.
Sometimes we can be our worst enemies. I'm often wishing I could go faster. I'm just at 5K - training for 10K - and a relative newbie. But when I think about what I am doing now and compare that to Week 1 of the C25K, I'm so proud...
I started C25k aged 66, so you have time on your side 🙂. At the end of C25k I thought that distance rather than speed was going to be my thing. Just plain logic! So I extended to 10k four months after C25k, and over the next 10 months I built up to HM. Somewhere in the middle of all that my fitness built, and I found some pace on 5 then 10ks (intervals did the trick). The NRC 10k plan is taking you down the same track really. You are right to be proud of what you are doing. 👍
Hi Aliboo; thanks 🙂. I am definitely satisfied with that. Looking forward to running with my head up admiring the wildlife rather than checking my watch. Also looking forward to a relaxed 10k tomorrow, rain or no rain!!
I do become very focussed when I am determined to achieve something. Good for getting results, but tunnel vision means that you can miss a lot; and the scenery around here is beautiful.
Congratulations BC. Glad that you are pleased with the resolution of "never run my best". I have done 2 HMs on an inadequate amount of prep - whilst glad to have done them I had similar thoughts to you (e.g. "I could have done better if ..."). Having said that my health has been so uncertain that the satisfaction of having done the HMs should outweigh this. ( ... but ... but ... 😆). Enjoy your running in the future😀
Thanks RSR. You hit the nail on the head. This time there is nothing I can identify which made the run more difficult; this run represented the best I could do on the day with no “ if only” attached. If that is my best now; that is ok. I have never done the “ if only I started earlier” thing; it would have been impossible. Acceptance brings peace I guess 🙂
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