Half marathon mind games

Bbrunnin

Hi just signed up for half marathon in one months time have been training months but didn t have courage to sign up .its done now but mind games getting to me ,some times training great but other times a few miles and i m done! Its defo a confidence thing any tips on keeping calm . Also did few 5 k races and one 10 k have another one next week just for experience thanks bb

TFBubendorfer

Stop fretting and just do it!

tommyh1977

Same dilemma here, completed a good few 10k's, latest being Great Limerick Run. Considering doing Cork Half but wondering would I be best off waiting the extra 6 weeks for Killarney half. It's pure mind games but also fear of too hard too soon and getting injured.

Kayleen

I did my first half on Sunday in Limerick! My advice.....just do it!,
Don't however make the mistake I did and take off too fast only to suffer in the last few miles. Still I did it: would have liked a sub 2 hours but I know where I went wrong!!! Managed 2:02 so I'm reasonably happy!

It's all a learning curve and if you don't get out there you won't know what you're capable of. There will be many ahead of you but trust me there will be as many behind you��

Bbrunnin

tommyh1977 wrote: »

Same dilemma here, completed a good few 10k's, latest being Great Limerick Run. Considering doing Cork Half but wondering would I be best off waiting the extra 6 weeks for Killarney half. It's pure mind games but also fear of too hard too soon and getting injured.

Glad its not just me ,going for it defo , the cork half suits me planning on running some of course to get a feel for it .best of luck

Bbrunnin

Kayleen wrote: »

I did my first half on Sunday in Limerick! My advice.....just do it!,
Don't however make the mistake I did and take off too fast only to suffer in the last few miles. Still I did it: would have liked a sub 2 hours but I know where I went wrong!!! Managed 2:02 so I'm reasonably happy!

It's all a learning curve and if you don't get out there you won't know what you're capable of. There will be many ahead of you but trust me there will be as many behind you��

Hi well done thats brillent time!! Would be delighted if i got there in over 2 hrs . Will defo try and pace myself sometimes its hard ,all the other races i was at theres a great buzz at the start ,looking forward to that .
Thanks bb

Bulmers74

Also did my first half in Limerick. Would suggest just sticking to your training plan & not over doing it. Try not to over analyse each training session and everything will fall into place on the day.

Bbrunnin

Bulmers74 wrote: »

Also did my first half in Limerick. Would suggest just sticking to your training plan & not over doing it. Try not to over analyse each training session and everything will fall into place on the day.

Hi thanks ,how was the half in limerick? Trying not to think about it and just keep training .just hope weather ok went out yesterday and was running against the wind it was wild and ran out of energy a lot faster

digger2d2

Set your goal time based on your training, be conservative as there will always be another one. If there are official pacers then stick with them.

@ kayleen, there were 2 hour pacers at Limerick from boards. They are experienced runners who would have helped you get that sub 2 , i.e. running even splits, lots of help, encouragement, advice etc

Bbrunnin

digger2d2 wrote: »

Set your goal time based on your training, be conservative as there will always be another one. If there are official pacers then stick with them.

@ kayleen, there were 2 hour pacers at Limerick from boards. They are experienced runners who would have helped you get that sub 2 , i.e. running even splits, lots of help, encouragement, advice etc

Hi hope there is offical pacer it would make life easier . At moment have ipod to track training but its bulky to carry , if all goes well will invest in watch Had to replace shoes few weeks ago but at least there worn in now thanks for advice

Bulmers74

Bbrunnin wrote: »

Hi thanks ,how was the half in limerick? Trying not to think about it and just keep training .just hope weather ok went out yesterday and was running against the wind it was wild and ran out of energy a lot faster

Thought course was ok - a few short hills. Weather was quite warm and it was a little breezy at times but wouldn't have called it windy. Would agree to be conservative with time and stick with pacer as adrenalin could result in going out too fast. Really enjoyed the buzz of the whole experience and the encouragement of the spectators was brilliant. This was only my second race but plan to do a few more before trying the full in Dublin

Big Logger

digger2d2 wrote: »

Set your goal time based on your training, be conservative as there will always be another one. If there are official pacers then stick with them.

@ kayleen, there were 2 hour pacers at Limerick from boards. They are experienced runners who would have helped you get that sub 2 , i.e. running even splits, lots of help, encouragement, advice etc

I have to say myself that from my experience it doesn't matter if theres 50 pacers helping you, if you're not fit for a certain time then you're just not fit.
I found it better to run my own race and when I was confident that I would finish in the said time, then I followed pacers.

Bbrunnin

Big Logger wrote: »

I have to say myself that from my experience it doesn't matter if theres 50 pacers helping you, if you're not fit for a certain time then you're just not fit.
I found it better to run my own race and when I was confident that I would finish in the said time, then I followed pacers.

Hi thanks hope i m fit enough training 5 nights a week 4 runs and a fitness class ,but as its my first half will be delighted just to finish it injury free
Good advice cos its v easy to get carried away with all the buzz and could defo see my self going to fast

digger2d2

Big Logger wrote: »

I have to say myself that from my experience it doesn't matter if theres 50 pacers helping you, if you're not fit for a certain time then you're just not fit.
I found it better to run my own race and when I was confident that I would finish in the said time, then I followed pacers.

I take it as a given that you need to be fit enough and have trained properly for time "x" my point about pacers related more to people who have trained for a 1.44 or a 1.59 but inexperience of actual racing results in a slightly poor performance on the day.

digger2d2

Bbrunnin wrote: »

Hi hope there is offical pacer it would make life easier . At

What race is it?

chinguetti

As Digger has said about Limerick, i was one of the 2 hours pacers there. Enjoyed it as always with pacing gigs and good fun.

Kayleen - well done on the time, it was a warm day and some nasty inclines. On a flatter course, you'll make the sub 2. Not sure if you were with us along the way but we had a big crowd there at one stage.

Big Logger - you're right, pacers can't run it for you or train you for any distance. However, we're there to help and encourage you along the way. Like getting you a water bottle, talking nonsense to take your mind off the pain and just about anything, even singing. The time isn't the problem usually with folk aiming for something, its the mental limits that people place on themselves are the problem.

Starting slowly is the trick. Every time i've paced, some people blaze off at the start from pacers after a mile as they think we're going too slow. We usually see then again about mile 11, spent and unable to hang on. Steady wins the race. Pacing a race right is the trick but it takes a long time to get it right and we're there to help you on that.

Bulmers74 - Good luck with the training

mossym

chinguetti, excellent post, i think that post alone has convinced me to follow a pacer for my first half in a couple of months.

digger2d2

mossym wrote: »

chinguetti, excellent post, i think that post alone has convinced me to follow a pacer for my first half in a couple of months.

Just don't follow him as he's ****e

Bbrunnin

digger2d2 wrote: »

What race is it?

The cork half marathon in 3 weeks aaahhhh

Big Logger

chinguetti wrote: »

As Digger has said about Limerick, i was one of the 2 hours pacers there. Enjoyed it as always with pacing gigs and good fun.

Big Logger - you're right, pacers can't run it for you or train you for any distance. However, we're there to help and encourage you along the way. Like getting you a water bottle, talking nonsense to take your mind off the pain and just about anything, even singing. The time isn't the problem usually with folk aiming for something, its the mental limits that people place on themselves are the problem.


Bulmers74 - Good luck with the training

I suppose I'm just putting the point out there as someone who is a non pacer. I ran my first half marathon behind 2 hr pacers in the race series in 2010, I fell off the pace as I was not fit for 2 hrs. The pacers I'm sure were lovely, eager to help etc.
I'm making the point that if you havn't got it in your legs i.e not fit enough then you will fall behind and if you've been pacing faster than you were able for then your finish time will be even poorer than if you had have headed out at your own pace in the first place.
You just need to be honest with yourself and judge what time you can get realistically. I know I felt very disappointed that day as they all ran on laughing, singing and get bottles for their pacees

chinguetti

digger2d2 wrote: »

Just don't follow him as he's ****e

Jeez, thanks fellow pacer :P

chinguetti

Big Logger wrote: »

You just need to be honest with yourself and judge what time you can get realistically.

Dead on the money there Big Logger.

greenb

Big Logger wrote: »

I suppose I'm just putting the point out there as someone who is a non pacer. I ran my first half marathon behind 2 hr pacers in the race series in 2010, I fell off the pace as I was not fit for 2 hrs. The pacers I'm sure were lovely, eager to help etc.
I'm making the point that if you havn't got it in your legs i.e not fit enough then you will fall behind and if you've been pacing faster than you were able for then your finish time will be even poorer than if you had have headed out at your own pace in the first place.
You just need to be honest with yourself and judge what time you can get realistically. I know I felt very disappointed that day as they all ran on laughing, singing and get bottles for their pacees

Pacers will help you get the time you're capable of. Inexperienced self pacing may not. No pacer will get you a time you're not capable of.

Big Logger

greenb wrote: »

Pacers will help you get the time you're capable of. Inexperienced self pacing may not. No pacer will get you a time you're not capable of.

I agree that its handy to follow a pacer if you don't want to look at your watch.
Its the only reason I would follow a pacer. It can get very congested around them and you have to be someone who can/will pace evenly.
I find myself that I slow down a lot at hills and speed up according to how I feel in myself so I like to run by myself and not be a slave to clock or to routine. Many others love mixing while racing and run evenly etc.
Its important to get all points of view, this is not a one fits all matter.

Some people who are new to half marathons may need to just get out there and finish and not be worrying about time and some not so new ones like myself are in that position too at the moment :rolleyes:

digger2d2

I think one thing worth bearing in mind is that new/newer half marathon runners may have done the "physical" work say in preparing for a 2 hour attempt but have no idea how to cope with the tricks the mind plays. As an example, myself and the other 1.45 pacer at Kildare yesterday encouraged/cajoled/coerced 4 runners in the last mile to get sub 1.45's, their minds were telling them they couldn't do it, seriously they were all giving up. I'm not looking for a pat on the back but merely want to highlight the benefits.

By the same token, when I started running, it suited me better to race solo. In fact, there were occasions I ran in front of a pace group, hoping they wouldn't catch me. This "running scared" approach worked well for me.

For newer runners out there, never be afraid to ask for advice from pacers regarding the profile of the course, whether to run even splits or bank time etc. This applies even if you aren't going to run with the pace group!

vitani

digger2d2 wrote: »

I think one thing worth bearing in mind is that new/newer half marathon runners may have done the "physical" work say in preparing for a 2 hour attempt but have no idea how to cope with the tricks the mind plays. As an example, myself and the other 1.45 pacer at Kildare yesterday encouraged/cajoled/coerced 4 runners in the last mile to get sub 1.45's, their minds were telling them they couldn't do it, seriously they were all giving up. I'm not looking for a pat on the back but merely want to highlight the benefits.

By the same token, when I started running, it suited me better to race solo. In fact, there were occasions I ran in front of a pace group, hoping they wouldn't catch me. This "running scared" approach worked well for me.

For newer runners out there, never be afraid to ask for advice from pacers regarding the profile of the course, whether to run even splits or bank time etc. This applies even if you aren't going to run with the pace group!

I've done a handful of races and by far the biggest difficulty for me is the little voice in my head asking me what I'm doing, why don't I just give up, why did I ever think I could be a runner, this isn't worth it, just stop, look there's cake over there, go on, you know you want to...

My first half marathon is in August and I fully intend to run with pacers for it. The few times I've ran with somebody else, I found that the little voice didn't bother me at all.

Big Logger

digger2d2 wrote: »

I think one thing worth bearing in mind is that new/newer half marathon runners may have done the "physical" work say in preparing for a 2 hour attempt but have no idea how to cope with the tricks the mind plays. As an example, myself and the other 1.45 pacer at Kildare yesterday encouraged/cajoled/coerced 4 runners in the last mile to get sub 1.45's, their minds were telling them they couldn't do it, seriously they were all giving up. I'm not looking for a pat on the back but merely want to highlight the benefits.

By the same token, when I started running, it suited me better to race solo. In fact, there were occasions I ran in front of a pace group, hoping they wouldn't catch me. This "running scared" approach worked well for me.

For newer runners out there, never be afraid to ask for advice from pacers regarding the profile of the course, whether to run even splits or bank time etc. This applies even if you aren't going to run with the pace group!

I think thats brilliant Digger if you have that impact on people.
I'm really just speaking from a personal point of view and I'm sure theres others like me out there.
I don't get those voices in my head

digger2d2

Big Logger wrote: »

I think thats brilliant Digger if you have that impact on people.
I'm really just speaking from a personal point of view and I'm sure theres others like me out there.
I don't get those voices in my head

Agreed, good for others to get all the opinions/angles!

Big Logger

digger2d2 wrote: »

Agreed, good for others to get all the opinions/angles!

I usually know I'm screwed cause the breathing goes

digger2d2

Big Logger wrote: »

I usually know I'm screwed cause the breathing goes

Please note : Pacers don't supply mouth to mouth

Big Logger

digger2d2 wrote: »

Please note : Pacers don't supply mouth to mouth

Only to each other :P

chinguetti

digger2d2 wrote: »

Please note : Pacers don't supply mouth to mouth

Well don't limit yourself Digs, when they see the guns they might just collapse:pac:.

Bbrunnin

vitani wrote: »

I've done a handful of races and by far the biggest difficulty for me is the little voice in my head asking me what I'm doing, why don't I just give up, why did I ever think I could be a runner, this isn't worth it, just stop, look there's cake over there, go on, you know you want to...

My first half marathon is in August and I fully intend to run with pacers for it. The few times I've ran with somebody else, I found that the little voice didn't bother me at all.

Hi i ve heard that voice too.More so when im out running on my own i d be thinking if i turn back now ,or i could just hop on bus and be home in ten .glad it not just me .
3 weeks to my first half but went out with running group last week end and stayed at there pace feel a lot more confident now .
Good luck for august

vitani

Bbrunnin wrote: »

Hi i ve heard that voice too.More so when im out running on my own i d be thinking if i turn back now ,or i could just hop on bus and be home in ten .glad it not just me .
3 weeks to my first half but went out with running group last week end and stayed at there pace feel a lot more confident now .
Good luck for august

Glad I'm not the only one as well :pac:

Thanks, and best of luck in Cork. Glad to hear you joined a running group. I'm looking forward to joining one, but it will be much later in the year before I'm able to.