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runchris63
runchris63 Posts: 20
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I have finished 14 half marathons, done several full marathons and one ultra. I am taking a step back to eat better ,drop about 20 lbs, and create a level of base running to get back up to marathon training. Anyone working on a similar journey, let's go!
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Replies

  • schmenge55
    schmenge55 Posts: 745 Member
    Pretty similar, although I am marathoned out (11) and more focused on halves. Tryin to eat better and drop 15. First 10 are gone, next 5 t hardest :)
  • TheBrolympus
    TheBrolympus Posts: 586 Member
    I am doing my first half this weekend (technically 2nd but the other one was almost 3 years ago) and hoping for many, many more!
  • MelisRunning
    MelisRunning Posts: 819 Member
    Running my 2nd half (Jan 5. Mississippi Blues). Planning my first full next fall.
  • rexy3033
    rexy3033 Posts: 20 Member
    Last half was last March, did a 10 mile in October, and after recently having a baby I want to get back to my previous speeds with some 5 and 10ks. Next half is in March!! You can see my races and times on my profile!! I might consider a full when a half isn't challenging any more, but currently that is enough for me:)
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    I just finished a marathon three weeks ago and have moved to a 12 to 20 week base building period. Essentially it is high mileage at low heartrate a la the Maffetone method.
  • sbrBirdy
    sbrBirdy Posts: 224 Member
    Did my first half after a recent injury a couple of months ago. Looking for a better time in two weeks!
  • arc918
    arc918 Posts: 2,037 Member
    I LOVE racing halfs, my favorite distance for sure! I have a love/hate relationship with marathons, after 25 of them, the jury is still out..

    I will say the best thing that ever happen to my half marathons was marathon training. Racing a half off a long run of 18 or 20 is much better (for me) than doing it off of 11 or 13.
  • DontThinkJustRun
    DontThinkJustRun Posts: 248 Member
    I'm working through some injuries at the moment so I'll be perfecting my half until I'm full ready again...wouldn't mind dropping a few in the process.
  • cynthiatwayne
    cynthiatwayne Posts: 71
    I've done 7 halfs and have 8 through 10 scheduled this coming spring. One full in the books and the second will be this fall (made it to 3 weeks before the second full and broke my foot the last long run before taper)....very similar journey sort of since I have to step back rebuild and regain my endurance again and drop the weight I gained over my injury period as well as continue to the weight loss I was doing pretty well on.

    I'm in!

    Cyndi
  • ebaymommy
    ebaymommy Posts: 1,067 Member
    I will say the best thing that ever happen to my half marathons was marathon training. Racing a half off a long run of 18 or 20 is much better (for me) than doing it off of 11 or 13.

    Ditto to this! I ran my half-marathon PR this past spring when I was in the midst of marathon training.
  • kywh
    kywh Posts: 46 Member
    I'm with you! I just finished an Ironman and have been doing a strong of 1/2 marathons, marathons, and triathlons. I want to focus on weight loss rather than building endurance.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    I try to run two or three half marathons each year. I'll echo what others have said. Once I started doing long runs of 12 to 16 miles and training for a marathon, the half marathon became just another race. I've seen dramatic improvements in my HM times over the last 3 years because of marathon training from 1:37:09 in 09/09 to 1:28:05 this past September.
  • runchris63
    runchris63 Posts: 20
    You have summed up my relationship with the marathon...it is love/hate. I never thought of it that way, thanks!
  • ALH1981
    ALH1981 Posts: 538 Member
    I try to run two or three half marathons each year. I'll echo what others have said. Once I started doing long runs of 12 to 16 miles and training for a marathon, the half marathon became just another race. I've seen dramatic improvements in my HM times over the last 3 years because of marathon training from 1:37:09 in 09/09 to 1:28:05 this past September.

    thats a great time - id be happy to do 2hrs!
  • zenmama08
    zenmama08 Posts: 1 Member
    I've done 3 half marathons, my first was 5/2011. My best time thus far is 1:45! I developed a stress fracture during my full marathon training this past summer. I am currently MIA from running after finishing the marathon (Cleveland) and not realizing I actually had a fracture. So I am HOPING to be up and running by spring (I am taking so much time off because I returned to running too soon and re-injured, UGH). My birthday is April 28th and there is a half marathon in town (Glass City in Toledo, OH) that I really want to PR in!!
  • plateaued
    plateaued Posts: 199 Member
    Interesting thread. I love halfs. I have only done one full marathon and it is so long. Might never do another. I train under 10 miles for the halfs so the race is a great extension. Running an hour or more at dawn is spiritual and gets my day set.

    10.5 minutes per mile is about where I am stuck, but at 68 I figure I won't get too much faster.
  • rlmiller73190
    rlmiller73190 Posts: 342 Member
    Running my FIRST half this February :) so excited!
  • ColorfulWeirdo
    ColorfulWeirdo Posts: 113 Member
    I am right there with you. I've done a few full marathons, got injured and am now prepping for three half marathons within the first six months of 2013. Then probably a marathon at the end of the year (Marine Corps or Denver RnR marathon). Hoping that by focusing on the shorter distances during the winter, I don't break my body down on the treadmill like I have in the years past.
  • Dark_Roast
    Dark_Roast Posts: 17,689 Member
    I signed up for my first 1/2 in June, the Rock'n'roll in Seattle. There is also a local one in the end of March I'm going to run, that will be a benchmark on my progress so far. I'm only up to 8 miles, so I have a long way to go.
  • dinellelou
    dinellelou Posts: 22
    You all are so inspiring!!!! I just did my first 10k in november and i am training for my first half - rock n roll in st.louis Oct. 27th. :))) Please add me if ya wish! Happy running!:)
  • HermioneDanger118
    HermioneDanger118 Posts: 345 Member
    So far I've done 5Ks, but I have a 10K in April and I'm toying with the idea of the Baltimore half in October :)
  • fasterandbetter
    fasterandbetter Posts: 101 Member
    I did 2 half marathons my PR is 1:41:08, training for a full marathon in mid March.
  • Saree1902
    Saree1902 Posts: 611 Member
    Interesting thread. I love halfs. I have only done one full marathon and it is so long. Might never do another.

    I feel like this too! I did 5 half marathons, then made the leap to the full 26.2 last year, which was brutal! Someone asked if I was doing another one this year and the thought of all that training made me want to hide under the bed!!

    This year, I want to improve my half marathon time and lose weight. Signed up for 2 races so far and might add a couple of 10ks to help with speed.
  • Deedsie
    Deedsie Posts: 348 Member
    I'm doing my 2nd half in April and then planning to do the Chicago in October as my full. I'll see how I feel after that. :smile:
    My pace is 10-11 minutes per mile on the half though I'm hoping to drop it to 9:30-10:30 for April.

    I run outside on Sundays no matter the weather with a running group but my week day runs I have been doing this winter on the dreadmill. I think that it is a lot harder on me than outside. Any suggestions? I'm contemplating just running outside during my lunch break but I also work in a fairly busy area and don't want to get hit by a car plus, showering mid-day is not ideal.

    I don't like going out by myself in the dark of the morning or evening. Plus, I have a small child that I have to complete the morning routine and drop off for 4 days a week and pick-up and do the evening run around 2 days a week (one day I do drop off and pick up so that day I have to run over lunch if I run at all.) Suggestions?
  • schmenge55
    schmenge55 Posts: 745 Member
    Chicago is a great first marathon! I'd do outside anyway possible over the dreadmill if you can. There is an article in the most recent issue of Runner'sWorld on treadmill running you might find interesting.
  • lizdavis07
    lizdavis07 Posts: 766 Member
    I just completed my very first Half Marathon 3 days ago through the Disney Parks! It was awesome and felt great to finish.
  • MomLinds
    MomLinds Posts: 6
    I have completed 4 half marathons thus far...Newport, RI....First Watch Sarasota, FL....Lake George, NY...and Rock N Roll Savannah...3 of these I did in 2012. I am currently registered to run the Lexington KY Run the Bluegrass; Covered Bridge Half in Vermont and the Rock N Roll Philadelphia during 2013. Looking to add one more at least.

    I love training for and running half marathons. I am currently on a mission to run one in all 50 states with my awesome daughter...Definitely have a ways to go to meet this goal, but I am going to give it my best shot.

    If any of you live in Upstate New York...near Saratoga Springs...I am looking for a running partner.
  • MomLinds
    MomLinds Posts: 6
    Best of luck to you!
  • M_lifts
    M_lifts Posts: 2,218 Member
    Ive got my first half coming up in March
  • michellemybelll
    michellemybelll Posts: 2,228 Member
    I've completed 2 halves thus far - my second was just last Sunday and I PR'ed! (1:51:06) it felt great - and I've run out on my own 18 milers and felt pretty good, so my plan is to go for my first full this year. Although all this I'm reading about developing stress fractures and injuries while training and being out of commission for quite some time makes me a little hesitant. I love running so much, i'd be so upset if I injured myself badly enough to take me off the roads for a few weeks or even months... hmm some thinking to do..

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