Half Marathon training support group?

robmaguire1

I know i'm late to this, but I would love to be a part of the group. I just started running 3 months ago today, and I have accomplished so much (3 5k runs in the book, plus my first 10k is next month). I just signed up for my first half-marathon on 4/22/12.

summertime_girl

Here's to hoping today's race goes better than yesterday's! There is beer at the end of this one though, so maybe more of a motivation

UrbanRunner81

I finished my 10k in around an hour. I am not sure since there were sooo many people there it took awhile to get to the start. I am happy I did it. Most of it was downhill but going uphill sucks.

summertime_girl

I finished my 10k in around an hour. I am not sure since there were sooo many people there it took awhile to get to the start. I am happy I did it. Most of it was downhill but going uphill sucks.

Great time


Finished my 5k in 34:44 minutes. Not great, but there were a lot more uphills than downhills. And I'm getting faster. Not too terrible for someone who couldn't do a 1/4 mile a few months ago.

mlb929

I finished my 10k in around an hour. I am not sure since there were sooo many people there it took awhile to get to the start. I am happy I did it. Most of it was downhill but going uphill sucks.

Great time


Finished my 5k in 34:44 minutes. Not great, but there were a lot more uphills than downhills. And I'm getting faster. Not too terrible for someone who couldn't do a 1/4 mile a few months ago.

Great job to both of you!!! I love hearing the race results, the rewards are so there!

mlb929

MLB ~ I think it's amazing you only run once a week! I might have to try that next year...except I really enjoy running the short ones ;-P Nice work on your long run!

Thanks. I do intense cardio 4x per week (Insanity), plus Yoga daily, and 1 day of upper body weight training the day before my long run, and only run one day because with work and kids, I simply can't get out there. I will add runs on my lunch hour when I finish the Asylum workout in November. But they will be short runs, my boss gives me 1:30 for lunch so I can shower, but still makes it short runs. I will love it when the kids get older and can be alone for a bit while I run, that time will come but until then I will stick with my one day It's really helped me avoid running injuries too. I work 6 days a week and work up to 10 hour days, so if I want to get the exercise in, it's mostly in when it's still dark in the AM.

On the winter clothes, I just ordered arm sleeves for fall. I have a thermal jacket or two I wear in real cold, but mainly a hat and gloves are the most important to me. I've read you run faster in the cold then hot weather, but I always seem to get uncomfortable faster and shorten my runs, I haven't quite figured it out fully yet.

UrbanRunner81

okay found out my official time 1:01:52

You are doing great summertime!

bprague

I'm feeling pretty snazzy today! I can walk without pain and I wandered over to the local running store where they suggested that my tendonitis was due to being improperly fitted into Brooks Trance 10's. They had one of the foot analysis thingies there and suggested a few shoes that felt pretty dandy. I won't buy until I'm healed and can run to test them out but maybe things aren't as dire as the sports trainer suggested?.

Luck to all of you still running! I wish you epic runner's highs

JonC03

Today was my first run in 2 weeks. I have been nursing a sore hamstring. Biked a little after the first week but it didnt feel right afterwards. Ran just over 3 miles and walked for 15 minutes after just to try and help my legs strech out. Didnt feel bad at all during the run. After i could tell it was a little tight.

So as everyone adds distance to their runs what do you do for water? If your on a treadmill you can easily have a bottle with you but if your running outside i just dont see it being pratical to carry a bottle with you the whole time.

KimertRuns13_1

Kat - the yak trax do feel weird at first! But if there is a good bit of snow the traction feels better. Not sure that makes much sense though. lol

Ran my last long run before my half marathon next weekend. We decided since we got such a late start yesterday morning we would do 6. It was pretty speedy the first 3 miles then mile 4 was way fast (we were averaging 8:27 pace most of that 4th mile) and my legs felt trashed by mile 5 but we made it to 6 at a decent pace and overall felt fine.

I am excited for my race on Sunday. I've done the training and just hope the race goes like I want it to.

sjcply

I finished my 10k in around an hour. I am not sure since there were sooo many people there it took awhile to get to the start. I am happy I did it. Most of it was downhill but going uphill sucks.

Thats great!! Congrats!

sjcply

Finished my 5k in 34:44 minutes. Not great, but there were a lot more uphills than downhills. And I'm getting faster. Not too terrible for someone who couldn't do a 1/4 mile a few months ago.
[/quote]

thats great! That was about what my first 5K was last year. I am hoping to beat that this time!! :bigsmile:

youngmomtaz

Had a poor last week due to time constraints and just could not get out. Yesterday made it out for 2 speedier miles and today left the house with the goal of "just run, don't think, just run." Ended up out at the farmland we own that we are building a house on. That is about 4.5 miles from where I currently live. Watered animals, collected eggs from the coop and then ran home. Yay! Longest distance I have done ever! Last year I made it up to 7 miles in my training and ended up with severe stress fractures. So a slow pace with a rest in the middle but I am so pumped! Will do it again soon now that I know I can.

slb106

I finished my 10k in around an hour. I am not sure since there were sooo many people there it took awhile to get to the start. I am happy I did it. Most of it was downhill but going uphill sucks.

Great time


Finished my 5k in 34:44 minutes. Not great, but there were a lot more uphills than downhills. And I'm getting faster. Not too terrible for someone who couldn't do a 1/4 mile a few months ago.

Congrats! You both did a great job!!

youngmomtaz....Keep up the great work!

JonC03...I hope your hamstring continues to heal! As for water, I haven't been doing anything for my long runs yet, but I'm starting to get very thirsty during them. My sister has a camelback, so I may borrow that to try.

slb106

So I had my last long run today before my race. I did 10 miles, but it was my worse run yet. I had to walk for a mile and just felt awful the entire time and now I'm starting to freak out about my race! I know that I had several things counting against me. First, it was hot/humid and I don't think I ate enough before. Second, I was gone all weekend with the middle school kids from my church on a retreat, so I didn't get to work out Sat or Sun. We did do a lot of walking though, so my legs are tired. I didn't get much sleep (imagine sharing a cabin with 15 middle school girls). Also, camp food has not improved over the years, so I ate horribly.

I'm hoping that with a week of shorter workouts, more sleep, and better food I will be ready for my race! I'm still super excited for it, but this morning was a little discouraging :frown:

curlytop89

You will be fine. Your body was probably just tired from your busy week. I guess your half is next Saturday or two weeks? My longest run before my half last year was 11 miles and I did pretty good during the race. Of course I didn't break any records and I was fairly worn out at the end, ( I mean, I was spent for the last two miles), but I made it! I felt okay afterwards except for being tired and I didn't have any injuries. That was a big improvement over my first half. It will all work out.

curlytop89

Today was my first run in 2 weeks. I have been nursing a sore hamstring. Biked a little after the first week but it didnt feel right afterwards. Ran just over 3 miles and walked for 15 minutes after just to try and help my legs strech out. Didnt feel bad at all during the run. After i could tell it was a little tight.

So as everyone adds distance to their runs what do you do for water? If your on a treadmill you can easily have a bottle with you but if your running outside i just dont see it being pratical to carry a bottle with you the whole time.

I am all for taking it slow and not running every single day. Since I have added more cross training, I have felt better without shin splints and tight muscles. I also walk plenty after a run, maybe a half mile or more just depends. I don't bother to carry fluids with me if I am just going 3 or 4 miles. I drink before and after though. Now that I am doing some longer runs I carry a bottle with gatorade in it. I have heard of people leaving bottles of water or whatever along their route. I have tried one of those belts with the water bottle, but it wouldn't stay put and drove me nuts, so I hold a bottle with my hand. I drink it about halfway through. I am wondering now, if that gatorade didn't help me speed up my last 5 miles this weekend, hmmm. I don't know what I will do if I decide to do over a half. Might try the leaving water on my route, or make a lap past my car or house and stop in to get a drink. They also make these camel pack things you can strap on your back for really long runs. I don't know if I am into that though. Guess you have to find what works for you. I think if you are out for close to an hour or more you should be taking fluids with you though. In the heat, more often than that.

UrbanRunner81

So I had my last long run today before my race. I did 10 miles, but it was my worse run yet. I had to walk for a mile and just felt awful the entire time and now I'm starting to freak out about my race! I know that I had several things counting against me. First, it was hot/humid and I don't think I ate enough before. Second, I was gone all weekend with the middle school kids from my church on a retreat, so I didn't get to work out Sat or Sun. We did do a lot of walking though, so my legs are tired. I didn't get much sleep (imagine sharing a cabin with 15 middle school girls). Also, camp food has not improved over the years, so I ate horribly.

I'm hoping that with a week of shorter workouts, more sleep, and better food I will be ready for my race! I'm still super excited for it, but this morning was a little discouraging :frown:

When is your race? I am going out for 10 miles tomorrow. My half is Oct. 15th I am so anxious! That 10k felt kind of hard, but it was my head messing with me. I didn't have music to distract me.

SueInAz

Today was my first run in 2 weeks. I have been nursing a sore hamstring. Biked a little after the first week but it didnt feel right afterwards. Ran just over 3 miles and walked for 15 minutes after just to try and help my legs strech out. Didnt feel bad at all during the run. After i could tell it was a little tight.

So as everyone adds distance to their runs what do you do for water? If your on a treadmill you can easily have a bottle with you but if your running outside i just dont see it being pratical to carry a bottle with you the whole time.

I am all for taking it slow and not running every single day. Since I have added more cross training, I have felt better without shin splints and tight muscles. I also walk plenty after a run, maybe a half mile or more just depends. I don't bother to carry fluids with me if I am just going 3 or 4 miles. I drink before and after though. Now that I am doing some longer runs I carry a bottle with gatorade in it. I have heard of people leaving bottles of water or whatever along their route. I have tried one of those belts with the water bottle, but it wouldn't stay put and drove me nuts, so I hold a bottle with my hand. I drink it about halfway through. I am wondering now, if that gatorade didn't help me speed up my last 5 miles this weekend, hmmm. I don't know what I will do if I decide to do over a half. Might try the leaving water on my route, or make a lap past my car or house and stop in to get a drink. They also make these camel pack things you can strap on your back for really long runs. I don't know if I am into that though. Guess you have to find what works for you. I think if you are out for close to an hour or more you should be taking fluids with you though. In the heat, more often than that.

I live in the desert and water is a must when running. My mouth dries out because the air is so dry, even when the temps are mild (which isn't now!).

My son uses a Camelbak from time to time but I don't like the way it feels. I guess it wouldn't hurt my training to run with the extra weight, though.

I have a 1 mile route, and a 2 mile route that I've mapped through my neighborhood. I'll often leave a bottle of water at the bottom of my driveway and swing by, get a drink, and keep on trucking, depending on how long I'm going, how dry it is, etc. I've also carried water bottles but I hate when it starts sloshing around. It makes me think of one of those shake weights. :laugh: I just bought a water belt this past weekend with some small bottles and can't wait to give it a try on my long run this coming weekend.

slb106

So I had my last long run today before my race. I did 10 miles, but it was my worse run yet. I had to walk for a mile and just felt awful the entire time and now I'm starting to freak out about my race! I know that I had several things counting against me. First, it was hot/humid and I don't think I ate enough before. Second, I was gone all weekend with the middle school kids from my church on a retreat, so I didn't get to work out Sat or Sun. We did do a lot of walking though, so my legs are tired. I didn't get much sleep (imagine sharing a cabin with 15 middle school girls). Also, camp food has not improved over the years, so I ate horribly.

I'm hoping that with a week of shorter workouts, more sleep, and better food I will be ready for my race! I'm still super excited for it, but this morning was a little discouraging :frown:

When is your race? I am going out for 10 miles tomorrow. My half is Oct. 15th I am so anxious! That 10k felt kind of hard, but it was my head messing with me. I didn't have music to distract me.

My race is this Sunday (Oct. 2). My longest run for my training program was 10 miles. I did 10 miles last week too and afterwards I definitely felt like I could run longer. So hopefully I'll have another good day like that on Sunday since I'll have to crank out another 3 miles! Good luck with your 10 miles and your race!

Pebble321

Hi guys, I'm interested to read your ideas about water for long runs... summer is only a few months away in Australia and it's already getting warm (just not today, it's cold and stormy now).
I've been experimenting with a few things - running carrying a regular plastic water bottle (pretty annoying to carry it for the whole run), carrying a small pouch with finger straps and a small water bottle (not as annoying as a plain water bottle, but not my favorite) using a regular old bumbag (what you Americans would call a fanny pack, but you really can't call them that in polite conversation in Australia!) around my waist with a water bottle inside.
For now I think I'm going to go with the bumbag, at least it's hands free. I need to have a good water strategy because my HM is in February, mid summer here, so it's only going to get hotter as my mileage increases. Even if I run early in the day, it will be HOT by the time I run for 2 hours or more.

BerryH

Hi Rubybelle, I hate carrying stuff in my hands when I'm running, especially after a rather spectacular fall last year. I've got two waterbelt bumbags, one with two tiny bottles balance either side and one with a big bottle in the small of my back. A bit like this one:
http://www.sweatshop.co.uk/details.cfm?ProdID=7083

For shorter runs, I have a hand bottle like this which are a lot easier to carry than regular bottles.:
http://www.sweatshop.co.uk/details.cfm?ProdID=3427

katapple

SLB ~ You will be fine! I only did 10 before my first half, and I finished 5 minutes under goal. You will have to remember you get the added energy from the other runners on race day

Hydrating: I wear a camelbak: http://www.camelbak.com/Sports-Recreation/Packs/2011-Annadel.aspx For women, the smaller one is much more comfy!

KimertRuns13_1

SLB - you are going to do great!!!

My race is now just a few short days away too. I skipped yesterday but am going to the gym tonight. I am debating spin class, BodyPump or run. IF I run it'll be short -- 2-3 miles. I could do that AND BodyPump. OR I can go to spinning and abs class. Hmm.

electriq

I went to the Physio last week and discovered that I have twinged a tendon. With my race on October 30th it is unlikely that I will be able to run. We're working on getting it better but I think I have pretty much given up on this being my first half marathon (boo!). For the time being I am keeping up my fitness with swimming and cycling and trying not to feel too depressed about not being able to run at all.

runnerdad

Hi guys, I'm interested to read your ideas about water for long runs... summer is only a few months away in Australia and it's already getting warm (just not today, it's cold and stormy now).
I've been experimenting with a few things - running carrying a regular plastic water bottle (pretty annoying to carry it for the whole run), carrying a small pouch with finger straps and a small water bottle (not as annoying as a plain water bottle, but not my favorite) using a regular old bumbag (what you Americans would call a fanny pack, but you really can't call them that in polite conversation in Australia!) around my waist with a water bottle inside.
For now I think I'm going to go with the bumbag, at least it's hands free. I need to have a good water strategy because my HM is in February, mid summer here, so it's only going to get hotter as my mileage increases. Even if I run early in the day, it will be HOT by the time I run for 2 hours or more.

I am spoiled in that I usually run on a public running trail that provides water stations every few miles, so I usually don't have to carry water, but even with that, I do carry water on my long runs in the summer, because it gets HOT here (Florida). I wear a Nathan fuel belt. Holds four small bottles, two in front, two in back, and has pouches in the front and back for gels, keys, whatever. It's very comfortable, although sometimes the two bottles in the front get a bit annoying, so I usually just carry the two in the back, since I can refill frequently.

paladeac

I have a belt that holds my water bottle in place on the small of my back. It also has a pouch for keys, gels, etc. Here in the south, it's essential on those humid days!

UrbanRunner81

I use a camelbak for long runs over an hour.

Well I did it, I ran 10 miles. It makes me hopeful for the half! I am so tired. I inhaled my sandwich when I got home. I need more food!

mlb929

Sounds like so many are getting really close to their half marathons. I ran a full before my half and always "over" my miles before a race just to make sure I can do it in my mind. I will run at least 13 prior to my next half, and plan on maintaining 13 at least 2 weeks a month through winter running.

I use a camelpak pack occasionally but not something I prefer. I just got a new Nathan Trail Mix Fuel Belt which I will try this weekend. I was using a hand held Ampiphod but find my form isn't as good, I cross my arms in front of me more and hold my arms too high. I'm working a lot on form.

Great job Urban on the 10 miles, I burned over 1400 calories on my 12 mile run last Friday, I never did end up within the positive numbers for calories that day. Remember Protein, Protein, Protein!

slb106

Thanks katapple and kimert!! You both are so supportive

Kimert, I can't wait to hear how your race goes!

Electriq, I'm so sorry to hear about your injury. Hopefully with some rest you'll be running again soon.

Urbanhippierunne, great job on the 10 miles!