Half Marathon

SimonCypher

I've signed myself up to run the Great North Run in September. It's a course of 13.1 miles in length and was wondering if anyone has ran a half-marathon before for the first time and has any suggestions to make it as I'm quite nervous! I'm looking at plans online and need to research the best foods to eat to get me in the best shape for this run.

MeanderingMammal

Key question really is around what your current level of running is?

lporter229

There is so much advice that can be given ranging from very broad to minute details. In order to benefit the most from other's experience, it might be helpful to give a little of your background running info, such as what distance races have you done before, what does your current training look like, what are your goals for this race, etc. I would also recommend having a look at the long distance runners group. There is a ton of great info there. Best of luck to you!!!

corinne1977

I ran my first half marathon last November and these are some things that I wish I had done differently:

1. I should have ran more miles during training. The most I ran in a week was 24 miles & that only happened once. Looking back, my base mileage should have been at 40-45 miles a week. I'm working on that now.
2. Ran the race even though I had been fighting a chest cold for the past week. Felt miserable the whole time. I don't recommend it. I really should have just dropped out but I I'm hard headed that way.
3. Should have dressed differently. It was very cool the morning of the race (45-50 degrees) so I dressed in layers. That was a big mistake because about 2 miles in, I was burning up but was trying to keep my chest warm.

One thing that I was glad I did do before the race was complete a 13 mile run. On race day, I knew what to expect as far as time, fatigue, and fuel needs. I have hypoglycemia so I needed more snacks then maybe most people. I was fortunate to have my husband run along side me & carry my water & snacks. As a backup, I had my brother waiting at mile 10 with extra Powerade & GU gels. I'm glad I did because it helped me push thru the last 5-K when I wanted to quit.

Well, this is just my experience. My first HM may not have been my best race but I'm still glad I finished it. It was a great experience and I learned a lot from it. Oh, and you may also want to look at Runner's World website. There's something for every runner level. Good luck!

SimonCypher

That's excellent advice Corrine, thank you for that!

I've never ran any kind of long distance since cross country whilst at high school. I'm currently running around 3km on the treadmill daily at the gym in between weight training. But now I've signed up to the GNR I'm going to at least double this. Thankfully I'm not exhausted when I've ran this, just really hot & sweaty.

I've signed up to a Park Run near where I live which is a 5km timed run on various terrain every Saturday. I live right near a beach / coastline so now the weather is improving I'm going to start running on this as know I need to get outside and train on the road as training just on the treadmill won't put me in good stead.

I'm hoping that with me completing the GNR this year, it'll get me fit and set up to run the London Marathon next year which is another race I've always wanted to compete in.

MeanderingMammal

SimonCypher wrote: »

I've never ran any kind of long distance since cross country whilst at high school. I'm currently running around 3km on the treadmill daily at the gym in between weight training. But now I've signed up to the GNR I'm going to at least double this. Thankfully I'm not exhausted when I've ran this, just really hot & sweaty.

OK, you need to get on top of your planning as you've got less than five months to add 12 miles to your sessions. You also need to get outside into the real, as a dreadmill isn't the equivalent. You also don't want to be running every day, and it's not clear from your phrasing whether that's a continuous 3km or whether you're doing short distances between sets.

For my current half marathon plan I'm running some 50km per week across four sessions, although my next race is 4 weeks away.

I would recommend using something like the Hal Higdon plans, which are well recommended (http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51131/Half-Marathon-Novice-1-Training-Program). Personally I use the Endomondo premium planner, which gives a dynamic training plan and can be tuned to the length of time available.

To be candid, I would probably moderate your aspirations around running London next year, as less than a year to get from a near zero base to running 42.2km is challenging and could just put you off running entirely. In particular noting your profile comments about difficulties with committing to the requirements of progression.

You'll get far more relevant advice in the Long Distance Runners forum (http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/94-long-distance-runners), where everyone does run, and there's a lot of shared experience.

As far as the points about nutrition are concerned upthread, I now don't need to take anything with me for anything up to 15 miles, although I do tend to carry something anyway. Mid course replenishment for a half does seem to be way over the top, a couple of gels should be more than enough for most people.

csman49

I use the Endo training plans also. You need to be doing 1 'long slow' run, 1 tempo run and 1 short run each week. Your long run needs to increase gradually over the weeks, by up to 10%. I have HM next weekend, but i'm now carrying a knee injury so will play it by ear as to wether i go or not.

Bottom line is, its 13 miles. It wont kill you. There will be people that will walk (4hrs), and people that can seemingly sprint it (1h20), so you COULD go into it reasonably unprepared, just be honest about your expectations.

Similarly, you COULD do the London Marathon unprepared (i did no running for 5 months leading up to the event, but i was cycling daily. It was tough, but i finished around the middle).

MeanderingMammal

csman49 wrote: »

Similarly, you COULD do the London Marathon

I had a work colleague that did couch to London in a year, maybe 5 years or so ago, she was utterly miserable from November through until March given the mileage and her first winter of running. She was driven by a charity place that year, which was about all that kept her going.

Mind you, I was watching on Sunday afternoon and thinking that it looked awful, my preferences for races are a short field, hills, grass, trees and as little tarmac as possible.

I guess the other option is to Galloway it. Don't think I could look at myself in the mirror the morning after if I had to do that though.

tcatcarson

I can HIGHLY recommend this planning tool - tweak it until it suits your experience and intentions, then STICK TO IT.

Good luck!

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/racing/runners-world-smartcoach/3057.html

lporter229

Lots of good advice here. Seeing as you are pretty young and, I assume, do not have a lot of health issues, you will probably progress fairly quickly as long as you stick to a regimented plan. I think you will be fine!

I would also recommend signing up for a few shorter organized races prior to your half marathon. This will get you better acquainted with race etiquette, routines and things like that. I do not know anything about the Great North Run. Is it a big event?

Sometimes larger events have wave starts or line you up in corrals according to your projected finish time. It is considered very impolite to line up towards the front of the pack if you are a slower runner. Look for pace groups at the start. The are usually carrying sticks with a projected finish time. Try to start near a group that is close your pace. Also, if you have to walk or run very slowly, try to stay to the right so that others are able to pass by easily.

MeanderingMammal

lporter229 wrote: »

... I do not know anything about the Great North Run. Is it a big event?

57,000 runners, so a reasonable size

http://www.greatrun.org/great-north-run

lporter229

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

lporter229 wrote: »

... I do not know anything about the Great North Run. Is it a big event?

57,000 runners, so a reasonable size

http://www.greatrun.org/great-north-run

Ha, ha. Silly me Then I would DEFINITELY try to run a smaller organized race prior to this race. I can't even imagine my first race being 57,000 people. It would be very overwhelming!

rsclause

I was on a mission to lose weight and was walking and then started running. I gradually was adding miles as I "got into it" I ended up with a routine that had me running 4.5 miles on Monday, Wednesday, Friday with a stop on the way back at the gym for a quick Nautilus set. On Tuesday, Thursday I ran six to eight miles. Saturday I rested and Sunday I would do a long run of ten miles. I came home from my Friday run one day and opened the paper to see a half marathon for the following morning and thought what the heck. I was able to run the whole way and posted a time of 1:56:30 It felt great and I was glad I entered. I just got lucky and happened to have a training plan that was perfect for a half. Eat well, get great shoes from a running store and put your miles in. During your long runs practice fueling before and during the run so you will know what to expect from your stomach on race day. Good luck and Do It!

MeanderingMammal

lporter229 wrote: »

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

lporter229 wrote: »

... I do not know anything about the Great North Run. Is it a big event?

57,000 runners, so a reasonable size

http://www.greatrun.org/great-north-run

Ha, ha. Silly me Then I would DEFINITELY try to run a smaller organized race prior to this race. I can't even imagine my first race being 57,000 people. It would be very overwhelming!

the prospect of something that size is horrific to me. I'm racing, a 10K, on Monday and it'll be possibly 200. HM at the end of May is I think about 300.

litsy3

I love a big event, and think they're great for beginners because there are people running at all paces and you don't find yourself running on your own, no matter what pace you are. I definitely think doing a small race as a first marathon would be a bit demoralising if you were struggling in the late stages and there was no-one else in sight at all, so I think HUGE races are actually a great place to start.

I also run the London marathon every year and love it! But I love my small local races too, through gorgeous Scottish countryside.

gabbo34

Lots of good advice above. The right shoes and a training plan are essential.

I'm a big fan of Hal Higdon....just used his Novice 2 plan to complete my first HM last weekend. It builds up miles gradually and you're all set by race day. I use Endomondo to track my running. It has training plans as well...though I found them pretty aggressive with their overall mileage totals if you're just starting out.

If you have a base, then 4 month is doable for sure.

MeanderingMammal

litsy3 wrote: »

I also run the London marathon every year and love it! But I love my small local races too, through gorgeous Scottish countryside.

I run in London a couple of times a week already. That's quite enough. Hampshire/ Wiltshire/ Dorset trails the rest of the time

My brother did the Edinburgh and Glasgow HMs last year and enjoyed those.

_Waffle_

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

Key question really is around what your current level of running is?

Perfect. The main factor is miles per week. How many are you running? Secondly don't increase that more than 10% per week. Lastly, the more the better.

corinne1977

SimonCypher wrote: »

That's excellent advice Corrine, thank you for that!

I've never ran any kind of long distance since cross country whilst at high school. I'm currently running around 3km on the treadmill daily at the gym in between weight training. But now I've signed up to the GNR I'm going to at least double this. Thankfully I'm not exhausted when I've ran this, just really hot & sweaty.

I've signed up to a Park Run near where I live which is a 5km timed run on various terrain every Saturday. I live right near a beach / coastline so now the weather is improving I'm going to start running on this as know I need to get outside and train on the road as training just on the treadmill won't put me in good stead.

I'm hoping that with me completing the GNR this year, it'll get me fit and set up to run the London Marathon next year which is another race I've always wanted to compete in.

Glad I could help. I would love to run in London. I'm nowhere close to being able to run a marathon right now either. Until I build by base mileage, I'm sticking to the 10-K for now. So just find the right training plan and work on those miles and you will do great. Oh, and I'll work on mine as well.

cw106

SimonCypher wrote: »

I've signed myself up to run the Great North Run in September. It's a course of 13.1 miles in length and was wondering if anyone has ran a half-marathon before for the first time and has any suggestions to make it as I'm quite nervous! I'm looking at plans online and need to research the best foods to eat to get me in the best shape for this run.

i have also just registered for the GNR.
currently finishing off training for a rowing half marathon,then i shall join my local running club in Blyth to start full training.
let me know what plan you pick etc, be interesting to compare.
i dont feel that daunted,as i can walk the distance today if need be.
good luck.

FireStorm1972

Just finished my 1st ever 1/2 Marathon yesterday 8) completed in 2:02:55 (chip time). I used Novice2 on the Hal Higdons site, helped me train for it. Most important thing is get fitted shoes and your "gate" checked. No use in training with bad shoes. Your weekend runs are where you wanna up the mileage, and these are the important runs, don't worry about the speed on these training runs just worry about doing the assigned mileage to build your cardio, speed will come later. Once my rest period is done, I'm back to training for another 1/2 in September. Running seems to be addictive for me LOL. just stick to your training schedule, eat right, carb load the week before if needed. the adrenaline of running in the crowd and your "Heart" will carry you to the finish line.
Anyone here be free to add me, its always good to share the input of other runners. YOU GOT THIS!!

Note my weekly mileage leading to race Day was 20k-40k weekly.

mwyvr

lporter229 wrote: »

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

lporter229 wrote: »

... I do not know anything about the Great North Run. Is it a big event?

57,000 runners, so a reasonable size

http://www.greatrun.org/great-north-run

Ha, ha. Silly me Then I would DEFINITELY try to run a smaller organized race prior to this race. I can't even imagine my first race being 57,000 people. It would be very overwhelming!

Big runs have their own charm. My city has Canada's largest 10k, the Vancouver Sun Run, in April each year. Highest attendance is reported to be ~60,000 one year. They start in waves. Don't expect your best time ever, it's for fun.