I've signed up for my local half marathon in October! eek!

littlefreckle91

I've signed up to complete my local half marathon (13.1 miles) on the 21st October.I start my training tommorow! I'm sure at some point I'll wonder why I signed up but I will be running for charity and it will be great to see if i can do it!!

Has anybody every ran a 10k/half marathon/full marathon before? Any tips or advice?

Thanks

Sox90716

I've signed up to complete my local half marathon (13.1 miles) on the 21st October.I start my training tommorow! I'm sure at some point I'll wonder why I signed up but I will be running for charity and it will be great to see if i can do it!!

Has anybody every ran a 10k/half marathon/full marathon before? Any tips or advice?

Thanks

I have run two half marathons (2011, 2012). If I can do it, anyone can!
I'm assuming you already have a great pair of comfortable running shoes.
I used the Hal Higdon half marathon training program.
Train hills. I did very little hill work and paid for it on my first half.
I use MapMyRun app. It keeps track of mileage, pace, elevation and calories burned. Very motivating.
Hope these tips help! Feel free to friend me. Good luck and see you on the road!

sarafil

I am training for my first half, which is end of September. I have done 5ks and 10ks, but never 13.1. Feel free to add me if you like, we can go through this together! I am following a training group through a local running store, it has been great to have the support. I am doing one long run, one tempo run, and alternating hill/speed work. For cross training I am mainly spinning and kickboarding in the pool.

stylistchik

I just signed up for my second on Nov 3. I said I didn't want to train hard during the heat but it was for a cause I'm very passionate about so I'm training indoors til it cools down outside.

Tips from my first race: Cross train! I trained by doing 3 runs per week, one "short" 3-4 miles, one "medium" 5-7 miles and one "long" 5-14 that increased each week with one "break" per month where I would do 2 medium length runs instead of a long run to avoid over training. I did a little weight training in between but no speed runs or intervals. I ran a 15k a month before the half and I ran SO SLOW. About 10 minutes behind my goal time. Since I had signed up for a mud run 2 weeks after my half I started doing insanity on my off days and I cut an entire minute off my pace that last month. On race day I beat my goal time by 21 minutes! My advice: cross train.

And drink lots of water.

Jackie80taylor

is this the bupa birmingham run? i have signed up for that too... double eeek lol

SteveTries

You'll love it!

I did my first in July and will be doing my next on 2nd September.

What stage is your training at now?

As stylistchick said you'll need to be training in different heart rate zones each week. Something like this will do it:

Sunday - Long run. c.75%max. Build up your distance gradually towards race day
Monday - rest
Tuesday - Fartlek intervals c.80%-90% max HR 5 sets of 3min at pace and 2 mins rest
Wednesday - easy run c. 60%-70% c. 5-7km
Thursday - Intervals - vary each week, shorter bursts with short rests
Friday - rest
Saturday - easy run 5km

add me if you want support or to follow my training progress for ideas. There are 4 or 5 of my friends who know their stuff also so you could pick up some tips from them too.

littlefreckle91

Thanks for all your replies guys!

I'm doing a half marathon in Devon,UK in the countryside so at least there will be lovely scenery.I already have comfortable running gear and am beginning this program http://www.bupa.co.uk/running/training/training-programmes/beginner-half-marathon/ I am 5ft 4 and 7st 12lb (110lb)

Any other exercises I could add to my routine?

What kinds of foods are best for the few days before and right after etc...?

Good luck guys I will be running for Bliss,a charity for special care and premature babies here in the UK as I was only born at 26 weeks myself.

NakAttack

Congrats! I run my first one on November 11th and started my training last week. I am on week 2 and I am using the running schedule from a local running store in my area. Like most plans, I run five days a week with my long runs on Sundays. I will friend you so that we can track the progress of one another!!!