Running Clique

[BaggieSloth]

My knees are pretty knackered as it is, but start of this year i started working on strengthening them and so far "Touch wood" ive managed them and they are in a much better place.

I have been fitted for running shoes, that was something i invested in around June time when i realised i was quite enjoying running and my trainers at the time were definitely not fit for purpose.

I have only been running twice a week thus far - typically increasing the distance on a Wednesday night by around 1k a week and doing a "Recovery / interval run" on a Sunday - so far this seems to be adequate and the distances i have reached do not seem too hard right now, trying to stick to a 5:50 pace roughly. Running twice a week is the maximum i can fit in on my current life balance.

So if i only work up to 12 miles a week before the race, ive done ok on my "Training"?

I havent done any time runs yet - which is what is concerning me most if im honest - my 12k time was 1hr 3 min and a few seconds. But i know that i have much further to go but not much distance in the legs by comparison to a lot of people that have probably done one. I foresee this being my biggest problem.

Do i need to be looking at things like Gels and a running vest? or is that stuff more of an advertisement con that wont really be required?

[Ted Maul]

My knees are pretty knackered as it is, but start of this year i started working on strengthening them and so far "Touch wood" ive managed them and they are in a much better place.

I have been fitted for running shoes, that was something i invested in around June time when i realised i was quite enjoying running and my trainers at the time were definitely not fit for purpose.

I have only been running twice a week thus far - typically increasing the distance on a Wednesday night by around 1k a week and doing a "Recovery / interval run" on a Sunday - so far this seems to be adequate and the distances i have reached do not seem too hard right now, trying to stick to a 5:50 pace roughly. Running twice a week is the maximum i can fit in on my current life balance.

So if i only work up to 12 miles a week before the race, ive done ok on my "Training"?

I havent done any time runs yet - which is what is concerning me most if im honest - my 12k time was 1hr 3 min and a few seconds. But i know that i have much further to go but not much distance in the legs by comparison to a lot of people that have probably done one. I foresee this being my biggest problem.

Do i need to be looking at things like Gels and a running vest? or is that stuff more of an advertisement con that wont really be required?

Twice a week is fine if that's what you can commit to. 

Increase the time, not the distance would be the advice I'd give you. For running a HM you're going to want to be comfortable spending 2hrs on your feet running, so just build up to that, don't worry about the distance. If you're happy with 5:50 pace (I assume you're working in Ks) then stick with that, if you can't maintain that across an hour then you're running too fast.

At this stage I wouldn't worry about specific workouts, consistent running at a comfortable pace (could you speak in short sentences?) is best for building a strong aerobic base. 

Gels, totally personal, running vest is just something to hang onto your phone or keys. Do whatever works for you. I had a belt that I kept my phone and keys in, fraction of the price of a vest and made me look less like I was going up Everest and more like a runner.

[BeijingBaggie]

First 5km since busting my shin….and limited aching post run. Absolutely buzzing.

[BaggieSloth]

My knees are pretty knackered as it is, but start of this year i started working on strengthening them and so far "Touch wood" ive managed them and they are in a much better place.

I have been fitted for running shoes, that was something i invested in around June time when i realised i was quite enjoying running and my trainers at the time were definitely not fit for purpose.

I have only been running twice a week thus far - typically increasing the distance on a Wednesday night by around 1k a week and doing a "Recovery / interval run" on a Sunday - so far this seems to be adequate and the distances i have reached do not seem too hard right now, trying to stick to a 5:50 pace roughly. Running twice a week is the maximum i can fit in on my current life balance.

So if i only work up to 12 miles a week before the race, ive done ok on my "Training"?

I havent done any time runs yet - which is what is concerning me most if im honest - my 12k time was 1hr 3 min and a few seconds. But i know that i have much further to go but not much distance in the legs by comparison to a lot of people that have probably done one. I foresee this being my biggest problem.

Do i need to be looking at things like Gels and a running vest? or is that stuff more of an advertisement con that wont really be required?

Twice a week is fine if that's what you can commit to. 

Increase the time, not the distance would be the advice I'd give you. For running a HM you're going to want to be comfortable spending 2hrs on your feet running, so just build up to that, don't worry about the distance. If you're happy with 5:50 pace (I assume you're working in Ks) then stick with that, if you can't maintain that across an hour then you're running too fast.

At this stage I wouldn't worry about specific workouts, consistent running at a comfortable pace (could you speak in short sentences?) is best for building a strong aerobic base. 

Gels, totally personal, running vest is just something to hang onto your phone or keys. Do whatever works for you. I had a belt that I kept my phone and keys in, fraction of the price of a vest and made me look less like I was going up Everest and more like a runner.

I was thinking twice a week was not enough - but hearing thats fine is a weight off my shoulders in some senses. 

Okay so tonight ill do my 14k but aim at making that be slightly slower than my normal pace to ensure i get longer on my legs. Yeah im working in K's. 

Ive heard so many mixed things on Gels, even taking water out - some people have told me not to bother if im running no longer than 1.5hours but again i take that as a personal thing - especially with the current heat. Definetly need something for my phone and keys, having them in my pocket is rather annoying. 

Thanks for the advice and its been taken on board.

[Midget In A Pinstripe Suit]

First 5km since busting my shin….and limited aching post run. Absolutely buzzing.

Well in, mon.

[BaggieSloth]

Did 14k last night but maintained a steady pace of 5:38.
Came out at 1hr 19 total running - thats my longest time run so far... I slowed right down and increased my running time by 15 mins.
Will push for further next week on Time.

Came out of it feeling good, legs not too heavy at all. Appreciate all the advise yesterday guys

[MPAD_MarkP]

4 mile race last night. Pretty flat and fast for Cornwall. Finished in 28:20.

My 15 year old daughter's best friend, racing in her first adult race, wiped the floor with me. I felt very old!

[Fido]

Another piece of advice is not to feel like you need to train to the full distance. If you can get up to 10-12 miles you can do 13.1.

I’ve only ever done our local one and had only run 9 miles beforehand. What I would say is it’s different to running on your own. Having people cheer you on helps but at the start you are bunched up and the temptation is to go faster than usual to get your own space. This happened with me and it kept going for a bit which meant that the second half was run in about twice the time of the first!!

[BaggieSloth]

So i have the Half marathon this weekend - final 6k tonight just to move.
Already telling myself "Whats a half marathon really, its not even a full one"

[UCEbaggie]

Go well this weekend mate. Think about your mental strategy as well as the race strategy. It will hurt at some point and you need to prepare for that and embrace the pain. It’s a positive and it’s temporary.