The Half Marathon support Thread

MrsN

Ive never tried gels before.i'll steer clear. Thanks

fungirl1

ran 6.6m this evening and could have kept going but was going to a friends house for dinner and I would have been late if I didnt stop..delighted...really enjoyed it and didnt find it hard..sooo different from last saturday - hope it means I am shaking off the dose I had at the weekend...
Happy training every one....

Tipsygypsy

fungirl1 wrote: »

ran 6.6m this evening and could have kept going but was going to a friends house for dinner and I would have been late if I didnt stop..delighted...really enjoyed it and didnt find it hard..sooo different from last saturday - hope it means I am shaking off the dose I had at the weekend...
Happy training every one....

Thats great fungirl.
I had a really nice 5 miles this evening, nice pace, comfortable, no significant niggles and faster then it should have been. I really needed a pleasant run after the trial that was the 10 miler, to remind me why Im doing this madness.

fungirl1

Tipsygypsy wrote: »

Thats great fungirl.
I had a really nice 5 miles this evening, nice pace, comfortable, no significant niggles and faster then it should have been. I really needed a pleasant run after the trial that was the 10 miler, to remind me why Im doing this madness.

Me too...

Sparky101

Greetings one and all, a little advice from some of you experienced runners please! I am looking to run my first HM in the next month and am trying to decide whether to run the Dublin one in Sept or Galway in Oct. I ran the 10 miler last week and did a much slower time than I had hoped (1.39) but wasn't concentrating on the day and just jogged around, enjoying the lovely day and the atmosphere.
So my question is this, if I am aiming for sub 2hr, should I stick with a pacer in Dublin, even though it has all those bloody hills (especially the Khyber) or should I try going solo in Galway on a nice flat course? I don't have a fancy Garmin or anything (or even a watch at the moment, for that matter). Or do you think my goal of sub 2hr is unobtainable at this point? I have been steadily increasing my long runs (and loving them), but am not great for speedwork, I just hate it!
Thanks all

rasher_m

Sparky101 wrote: »

Greetings one and all, a little advice from some of you experienced runners please! I am looking to run my first HM in the next month and am trying to decide whether to run the Dublin one in Sept or Galway in Oct. I ran the 10 miler last week and did a much slower time than I had hoped (1.39) but wasn't concentrating on the day and just jogged around, enjoying the lovely day and the atmosphere.
So my question is this, if I am aiming for sub 2hr, should I stick with a pacer in Dublin, even though it has all those bloody hills (especially the Khyber) or should I try going solo in Galway on a nice flat course? I don't have a fancy Garmin or anything (or even a watch at the moment, for that matter). Or do you think my goal of sub 2hr is unobtainable at this point? I have been steadily increasing my long runs (and loving them), but am not great for speedwork, I just hate it!
Thanks all

Hia Sparks,
You may need to post this again to get an immediate reply from someone experienced but...Im actually in the exact same boat as you. I ran a good 7.5 run and was on course for 1.30 but then the hills came along and I wasnt fit enough to tackle them so ended up walking/running the last two or so.
So was hoping to go for sub 2 in half but thought if 10 miles is my longest run and I struggled with the hills then I can only go slower over the last 3 miles and then would be looking at 2.10 at the best I reckon.
So I've decided to go for the Galway half in October. I have more of a chance of running the whole course and getting a better time. It would be great if there were pacers there for the sub 2.
On the other hand I think with the pacers running each mile in the Dublin half at an even pace then there is a good chance that you could make 2.05 perhaps or even the sub 2 as you wont go out too fast and should have energy for the hills.
Theres 3 weeks solid training for the Dublin and 5 for the Galway???
Decisions, decisions.

Tec Diver

MrsN wrote: »

Ive never tried gels before.i'll steer clear. Thanks

I've used gels before, from different makers. Some have the desired affect, some take a bit longer. I've switched to bring a half dozen or so jellies (sweets) and take 2 every 8k or so. I find it works and is a hell of a lot cheaper!

Tec Diver

rasher_m wrote: »

Hia Sparks,
You may need to post this again to get an immediate reply from someone experienced but...Im actually in the exact same boat as you. I ran a good 7.5 run and was on course for 1.30 but then the hills came along and I wasnt fit enough to tackle them so ended up walking/running the last two or so.
So was hoping to go for sub 2 in half but thought if 10 miles is my longest run and I struggled with the hills then I can only go slower over the last 3 miles and then would be looking at 2.10 at the best I reckon.
So I've decided to go for the Galway half in October. I have more of a chance of running the whole course and getting a better time. It would be great if there were pacers there for the sub 2.
On the other hand I think with the pacers running each mile in the Dublin half at an even pace then there is a good chance that you could make 2.05 perhaps or even the sub 2 as you wont go out too fast and should have energy for the hills.
Theres 3 weeks solid training for the Dublin and 5 for the Galway???
Decisions, decisions.

Hi to you both,
I started running in Feb this year and did my first half in May. The furthest I had run before it was 8.5k. I ended up doing the half in 2:08.
My second half is coming up in just over 3 weeks, so I'm hoping to get in around the 1:50 mark. BUT, I'm now running 5 times a week and doing lots of hill reps and speed work - building blocks...
My long runs at the weekend are in the 20-30km range. Also building up to my first marathon at the end of October...

Sparky101

Tec Diver wrote: »

Hi to you both,
My second half is coming up in just over 3 weeks, so I'm hoping to get in around the 1:50 mark. BUT, I'm now running 5 times a week and doing lots of hill reps and speed work - building blocks...
My long runs at the weekend are in the 20-30km range. Also building up to my first marathon at the end of October...

Sounds like you are a 'proper' runner, rather than a jogger like me You a right, though, if I want to improve my time I guess I have to put the work in even when it hurts, not just when I am enjoying it. I just haven't made up my mind yet which is more important to me, to enjoy the race and get a slower time or to hurt all the way around and enjoy the buzz after.
Rasher m - are you definitely doing Galway or are you still making that decision? The cut off for the lower entry fee to Galway is next Tue, as far as I know, as is the cut off for Dublin.

RayCun

Sparky101 wrote: »

if I am aiming for sub 2hr, should I stick with a pacer in Dublin, even though it has all those bloody hills (especially the Khyber) or should I try going solo in Galway on a nice flat course?

If you don't have any method of timing yourself, I think you're more likely to get under 2 hours if you follow a pacer. Otherwise you'll start too fast, and slow down too much in the second half. Sure there are hills in Dublin, but they're not huge, and for every uphill there's a downhill.

eta - and run some hill in training before then, it will make the hills on the day easier

yungwan

Three days until my half :eek::eek::eek:

A little advise please - my knee has been niggling me since my 10 mile on Monday, it has improved but it is off all the same.

I was thinking of going for an easy three miler this evening but I am worried it might make the knee twinge more. Should I leave it altogether and do nothing until my half on Sunday? Or go with the three mile jog?
Perhaps a walk?

fungirl1

yungwan wrote: »

Three days until my half :eek::eek::eek:

A little advise please - my knee has been niggling me since my 10 mile on Monday, it has improved but it is off all the same.

I was thinking of going for an easy three miler this evening but I am worried it might make the knee twinge more. Should I leave it altogether and do nothing until my half on Sunday? Or go with the three mile jog?
Perhaps a walk?

Hey yungwan...figers crossed for you at the weekend!! make sure to post afterwards and tell us how you got on. I am using the Hal Higdon HM training plan the last week of which is:

Tuesday 4m, Wed 3m or cross train, Thursday 2m..and then nothing until race on Sunday..so 2 full days before the race doing nothing and only 2m just before...so sounds to be that IF you do anything it shoudl only be V little - but think you should listen to your body

Good Luck!!:)

Sparky101

RayCun wrote: »

eta - and run some hill in training before then, it will make the hills on the day easier

Thanks. Did some hill training tonight

iceage

yungwan wrote: »

Three days until my half :eek::eek::eek:

A little advise please - my knee has been niggling me since my 10 mile on Monday, it has improved but it is off all the same.

I was thinking of going for an easy three miler this evening but I am worried it might make the knee twinge more. Should I leave it altogether and do nothing until my half on Sunday? Or go with the three mile jog?
Perhaps a walk?

Go for a fair to long brisk walk, don't want to risk it. rest yourself for Sunday. Weathers improving and its going to get warmer. Feed yourself with good food and and water up til Sunday.:)

elvis jones

I'm selling my Polar to get a Garmin for triathlons.

Anyone interested its on adverts.............i don't want to put the link here as i think that would ultra cheeky.

Anyway ideal for someone just starting out and got me to my HM and the time is still stored in there somewhere !!!!!

yungwan

iceage wrote: »

Go for a fair to long brisk walk, don't want to risk it. rest yourself for Sunday. Weathers improving and its going to get warmer. Feed yourself with good food and and water up til Sunday.:)

Thanks iceage.

Yes, I went for a brisk 3 mile walk. Knee was a little niggly but I think it will hold up on the day. I will strap it too to make sure.

My nerves are creeping in a little, but Im also excited. Three months of training gone and I just want to be happy with my effort afterwards.

Going to concentrate on getting plenty of fluids in and eating healthy.

Hopefully when I next post Ill no longer be a half marahton virgin!! lol

opus

yungwan wrote: »

My nerves are creeping in a little, but Im also excited. Three months of training gone and I just want to be happy with my effort afterwards.

Going to concentrate on getting plenty of fluids in and eating healthy.

Hopefully when I next post Ill no longer be a half marahton virgin!! lol

Best of luck, hope the knee holds up ok. Those nerves will disappear as soon as you start!

dolliemix

yungwan wrote: »

Thanks iceage.

Yes, I went for a brisk 3 mile walk. Knee was a little niggly but I think it will hold up on the day. I will strap it too to make sure.

My nerves are creeping in a little, but Im also excited. Three months of training gone and I just want to be happy with my effort afterwards.

Going to concentrate on getting plenty of fluids in and eating healthy.

Hopefully when I next post Ill no longer be a half marahton virgin!! lol

I'm actually nervous/ excited for you! If I hadn't gone on holidays I'd be doing it with you.

Best of luck!

Tec Diver

yungwan wrote: »

Thanks iceage.

Yes, I went for a brisk 3 mile walk. Knee was a little niggly but I think it will hold up on the day. I will strap it too to make sure.

My nerves are creeping in a little, but Im also excited. Three months of training gone and I just want to be happy with my effort afterwards.

Going to concentrate on getting plenty of fluids in and eating healthy.

Hopefully when I next post Ill no longer be a half marahton virgin!! lol

Best of luck, let us know how you get on.
Just popping out for a long run, back in a couple of hours...

Eoin

elvis jones

any news Yungwan

the drifter

we demand updates!

Tipsygypsy

Good luck tomorrow Yungwan, and anyone else tackiling their half tomorrow - will be thinking of ye. Ill be cheering from the sidelines in Galway and then massaging in the tent at the finish line, so pop in and say hi (and get a free massage!)

As for my own running I had a few knee niggles on all three of my runs this week (had to stop and walk on two of them), so I might put my LSR off til Moday depending on how I tomorrow evening. I didnt have a run yesterday or today in my plan so Im hoping a couple of days off will have sorted whatever the problem is. LSR of 11 miles. Pure madness!

fungirl1

LSR today - headed out and said I wasnt coming back for over two hours! Stayed out for 2:16 and ran 19.25 km...v slow but it was comfortable..so I have not decided thats just short of the HM so I should be good to go on the day!!

Yungwan...fingers all crossed for you hope it goes well tomorrow for you!!!

Tec Diver

Did my LR yesterday, 23k. It was mostly on trails, so the pace was slower than on roads due to rocks, trees and tree roots. Oh and going up and down slopes etc. Was great though. Got lost near the end and a little old lady was very helpful and directed me back to my car, even showing me on the map and making sure I knew the road names I needed to turn at! Ended up walking about 8k back to the car after the run.
Legs tired now....
My half (my second) is on the 19th, so just 3 weeks of training left...

Eoin

iceage

Managed to get out the other night after a 10 day break after my HM. Knocked out a steady 6 miler in about 1:02 as a tester for my right leg that gave me all the trouble on the day... I tryed to sprint for the line when it came into view and completely locked up with cramps from ankles to hips:eek: Took my a good fifteen minutes to walk them off, not very nice.

No pain during or after my tester thankfully so I'm bloody over the moon! Just going to keep up the jogging and stretch them between 4's, 6's & 10 milers.

It was such a relief to get back out on the road again, really clears out the cobwebs. I was suffering with cabin fever after about a week

carlaboi

Bit of a problem here! Off on my hols tomorrow for 8 days to Spain. Am thinking I probably wont get much training in while Im away! Anyone have any advice on what they do when on hols to keep up the training? Im a bit worried as I want to do the half the weekend after I come home.

dolliemix

Tec Diver wrote: »

Did my LR yesterday, 23k. It was mostly on trails, so the pace was slower than on roads due to rocks, trees and tree roots. Oh and going up and down slopes etc. Was great though. Got lost near the end and a little old lady was very helpful and directed me back to my car, even showing me on the map and making sure I knew the road names I needed to turn at! Ended up walking about 8k back to the car after the run.
Legs tired now....
My half (my second) is on the 19th, so just 3 weeks of training left...

Eoin

OMG! Well done!

yungwan

Hi guys!

Greetings from an offical half marathoner!! lol

Ok, so first off, I finished..... GO ME!!


(BUT..... my time wasnt worthy of praise and I struggled at the 11/12 mile point!)

Note to others, while yes, you will finish having trained to 10 miles, I would recommend doing the full 13. And even better to do run the route itself if you can.

I am stiff but happy all the same. My ambitions for a full have been well and truely put into prospective anyway.

rainbow kirby

Congrats Yungwan!

MrsN

Well done yungwan. You should be extremely proud of yourself? I am doing my first half next sun and like you, Ive just reached 10 in my training. Did you walk any of it?