Half Marathon Club (and training)

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Replies

  • Nikstergirl
    Nikstergirl Posts: 1,549 Member
    I'm about three weeks into my training for my September race and did 8 miles today! It went great and I felt like I could have kept going at that pace (just about 11 min miles) which means if I can keep that pace on race day I'll finish under 2:30 which is my hope! It's my first, which I know I should just aim for finishing, but it still would be nice to have a good finishing time!

    Good weather does really make a difference. Last week it was way too hot, but today was amazing! I went earlier and I think that's going to be key this summer, especially on my long runs. Let's rock these 1/2's!!!!
  • pverbarg
    pverbarg Posts: 490 Member
    started increasing my miles today - did just over 6 today and it was NOT miserable! Still a nice slow pace, but it's a big jump from walking! Hope everyone is doing well!
  • noltes2
    noltes2 Posts: 202 Member
    Yay i can join this club now! I ran my first half marathon yesterday! What an experience. Running is such a challenging sport and it takes alot to keep going. During the race the crowd really kept me going. And if I appeared to be struggling someone from the sidelines would say something encouraging or just scream and it helped me to push through. I wish I had my own personal cheer squad I could hire for every training run! I was under-prepared, and wasn't as strict as I should have been during training. But I pushed my body to it's LIMIT and finished in 2:42, which is about a 5mph pace. And now I am pumped to do a second half marathon this November (The Seattle Half Marathon Nov 27th). My goal for that one is to be under 2:30, and I know I can do it now!

    It is such an emotional high and I feel so proud for having kept going and pushed through when it hurt so bad - miles 8-13 were tough! I have so much respect for all of you that are training and have completed half marathon's (or full!) It is not something everyone is mentally capable of. Props to all of you who are training. Even if you miss certain days, or take a few extra days off, just stick with it and you can do it! Even if you have to walk part or all of it, it is still a huge accomplishment.
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    I am kind of training for a HM on Oct, but very gradually. I did my second 10k last weekend, and was knackered. I can't at the moment envisage running more than twice that. I just don't see how such a thing is possible! I usually run between 9 and 10km twice a week, and sometimes do a shorter run too (6 or 7km). I just don't have any more time to train as I only get 3 child free mornings a week, and I already spend most of them running.
    I have a ton of energy drinks and gels at home as samples from my husband, but I hate them. I don't at the moment take anything other than water on my runs.
  • bmfrazie
    bmfrazie Posts: 2,380 Member
    I finally have found three Half Marathons in the fall. I just need to figure out if I want to just one or two or maybe all three. I think they might be too close to eachother though to do all three :(

    It looks like Sept and Oct is where it is at though. Still working slowly toward the 15k in 2 weeks!!
  • Mamapengu
    Mamapengu Posts: 250
    I had a good run today! Yeah! 4 miles, but felt good and ready to start pushing again! 2 weeks until back in official training schedule. Did 7 by myself on Saturday, that went well too! I even came back before the "advanced" runners finished their 11 mile run, which is a first, usually they are waiting around...
  • Nikstergirl
    Nikstergirl Posts: 1,549 Member
    I'm loving my training schedule by Runner's World Smartcoach. It's a taper week for me... three easy runs of 4-5 miles... this is something that actually feels easy now!!!! Wow, who knew. Next week it's back to the tough stuff, but I'm not even worried!!!! I'm so glad I finally took up running. Wish I would have done this years ago!!!!
  • lizzyheath09
    lizzyheath09 Posts: 18 Member
    Found this thread and have a few questions...

    I ran my first half marathon on May 1st (Flying Pig in Cincy) and have injured my left hip flexor. I haven't been for a decent run since. I just started PT without seeing a physician first.

    I guess my questions are:

    Have any of you had hip flexor injuries??
    If so, how long did it take to heal and what did you do to encourage that process?

    I have been biking (road and mountain) and doing 30DS video to keep semi in shape. I have another half scheduled in October and Ragnar Relay in November. I HAVE to start running again soon or I am in trouble...
  • lizzyheath09
    lizzyheath09 Posts: 18 Member
    I guess I didn't say what the Physical Therapist said.. :)

    He believes it may just be an overuse injury. Possibly some tendonitis since I haven't had any relief yet. Also, we realized today that my left leg is 2cm longer so he made an insert for my right shoe to help put me back in balance.

    Any advice is greatly appreciated!
  • rickydeuce
    rickydeuce Posts: 80
    I HAVE to start running again soon or I am in trouble...

    Early this year I suffered from shin splints. I switched to water running with my AquaJogger while on the mend. If you have access to a pool, I highly recommend it.
  • Mamapengu
    Mamapengu Posts: 250
    Found this thread and have a few questions...

    I ran my first half marathon on May 1st (Flying Pig in Cincy) and have injured my left hip flexor. I haven't been for a decent run since. I just started PT without seeing a physician first.

    I guess my questions are:

    Have any of you had hip flexor injuries??
    If so, how long did it take to heal and what did you do to encourage that process?

    I have been biking (road and mountain) and doing 30DS video to keep semi in shape. I have another half scheduled in October and Ragnar Relay in November. I HAVE to start running again soon or I am in trouble...

    I had not had that injury, but one of my running partners swears by the CWX tights for relief. They are expensive, but supposedly she will "never" go back to regular shorts they have worked so well.
  • Amberlin
    Amberlin Posts: 118 Member
    Bump...training for my first half Oct 16...very excited. What are your time goals? I am hoping to drop at least 20 lbs but would love to drop 32lbs. How much weight did you shed while training?
  • 515TeachNRun
    515TeachNRun Posts: 6,492 Member
    I am so off my training schedule! I went to Nashville for a conference this week. I took my workout clothes with every intention of hitting the fitness room/treadmill. Didn't happen! We went downtown in the evenings and wandered the honkeytonks, so I was too tired/lazy to get up and go in the mornings. Too old for 1:00 or later nights :noway: In the afternoons, our sessions ended at 5:00 and then we met at 6:00 for a group supper to de-brief so I didn't go then. Soooo....haven't run since Saturday.


    What do you do when you miss runs like that? Make the week up the next week and go a week behind? Just start where you left off? I'm thinking of doing that. I was supposed to run 3 Monday, 5 yesterday, and two today, and off tomorrow. I might do 5 today and three tomorrow. Then do my long run as scheduled this weekend.

    Also, a cool side note, I met an MFP friend on Monday! She lives in Nashville so she drove to our hotel and met me between our last session and dinner meeting.
  • 515TeachNRun
    515TeachNRun Posts: 6,492 Member
    I finally have found three Half Marathons in the fall. I just need to figure out if I want to just one or two or maybe all three. I think they might be too close to eachother though to do all three :(

    It looks like Sept and Oct is where it is at though. Still working slowly toward the 15k in 2 weeks!!

    Are you running the Traverse City 15K. My daughter is on her way to MI with family friends who own a cabin up there. The mother, my good friend, is going to run that!
  • bmfrazie
    bmfrazie Posts: 2,380 Member
    I finally have found three Half Marathons in the fall. I just need to figure out if I want to just one or two or maybe all three. I think they might be too close to eachother though to do all three :(

    It looks like Sept and Oct is where it is at though. Still working slowly toward the 15k in 2 weeks!!

    Are you running the Traverse City 15K. My daughter is on her way to MI with family friends who own a cabin up there. The mother, my good friend, is going to run that!

    YES!! That is so exciting! Is your daughter running any of the races?
  • bmfrazie
    bmfrazie Posts: 2,380 Member
    Found this thread and have a few questions...

    I ran my first half marathon on May 1st (Flying Pig in Cincy) and have injured my left hip flexor. I haven't been for a decent run since. I just started PT without seeing a physician first.

    I guess my questions are:

    Have any of you had hip flexor injuries??
    If so, how long did it take to heal and what did you do to encourage that process?

    I have been biking (road and mountain) and doing 30DS video to keep semi in shape. I have another half scheduled in October and Ragnar Relay in November. I HAVE to start running again soon or I am in trouble...

    What has your PT said about time wise? When I ran in college I had a hip flexor injury. The AT told me to take of 3 weeks off and then ease back in. However, my coach made me work through it. SO it took much longer to heal. I used a compression sleeve and did specific stretches before every run. I also had deep tissue massages.
  • 515TeachNRun
    515TeachNRun Posts: 6,492 Member
    I finally have found three Half Marathons in the fall. I just need to figure out if I want to just one or two or maybe all three. I think they might be too close to eachother though to do all three :(

    It looks like Sept and Oct is where it is at though. Still working slowly toward the 15k in 2 weeks!!

    Are you running the Traverse City 15K. My daughter is on her way to MI with family friends who own a cabin up there. The mother, my good friend, is going to run that!

    YES!! That is so exciting! Is your daughter running any of the races?

    I wish she would! My daughter has a really nice stride, but she does not enjoy running! My other daughther (11 years), on the other hand, might some day. She loves to run! And she can smoke a 5k! :tongue:

    Have a great run! It sounds like it is beautiful up there!
  • flausa
    flausa Posts: 534 Member
    I've signed up for my second half marathon as a power walker. Am doing the Great Scottish Run in September. My hope, however, is to do some running and some walking (I've just started running, so it will be mostly walking). My first HM was this month and I completed in 3 hours 10 minutes which I think was pretty good for walking and considering that was the longest distance I've ever walked in one go. I'm following my original training schedule again, but adding in running and jogging and working on increasing my walking speed. Hoping by September to maintain 4.5mph walking speed and then add running. I know it sounds a little slapdash, but it's working for me so far!
  • kobzal
    kobzal Posts: 74 Member
    I am so off my training schedule! I went to Nashville for a conference this week. I took my workout clothes with every intention of hitting the fitness room/treadmill. Didn't happen! We went downtown in the evenings and wandered the honkeytonks, so I was too tired/lazy to get up and go in the mornings. Too old for 1:00 or later nights :noway: In the afternoons, our sessions ended at 5:00 and then we met at 6:00 for a group supper to de-brief so I didn't go then. Soooo....haven't run since Saturday.


    What do you do when you miss runs like that? Make the week up the next week and go a week behind? Just start where you left off? I'm thinking of doing that. I was supposed to run 3 Monday, 5 yesterday, and two today, and off tomorrow. I might do 5 today and three tomorrow. Then do my long run as scheduled this weekend.

    Also, a cool side note, I met an MFP friend on Monday! She lives in Nashville so she drove to our hotel and met me between our last session and dinner meeting.

    When I did team in training (for a triathlon) the coaches told us that if we missed training due to sickness, just to continue and not make up the days/distance missed. So maybe that would apply here. If it was me, I would ignore the week missed and continue on with the training for the weekday runs. For the long run, I would see how I felt, if I could go the distance for that week, I would. If towards the end I started to get too tired, I would cut back to the distance for the week missed.
  • emmaleigh47
    emmaleigh47 Posts: 1,670 Member
    Does anyone know of a good marathon in January?
  • katedonn5
    katedonn5 Posts: 16
    I am trainging for my first HM in September on a flat trail. I have done 10K before and am also training for a fitness competition in early October. Does anyone have any cross training suggestions that are fun? I last 20 minutes MAX doing cardio in the gym and I can't ride a bike. I'm running 6 days a week and lifting 5 days a week right now. Thanks!
  • jizenna
    jizenna Posts: 49
    Love this post, great advice on here. I am still training to do only a 5k:), I can't wait until I can finish a half!
  • jizenna
    jizenna Posts: 49
    BUMP

    in case I get brave and start training for a half marathon...just did my first 10k last week at a snail's pace, doing a 5k this weekend and next weekend for charity events...will see how much I can run and how much I have to walk... have 2 HM events in mind but kinda scared to commit to them...

    Glad I'm not the only one scared to commit!:smile:
  • Nikstergirl
    Nikstergirl Posts: 1,549 Member
    I officially signed up for my first HM last night!!! I'm nervous, but I know I can do it. Been training already and feeling good so far. The race is September 24, so plenty of time, but I needed to make that commitment so to speak so that I don't wimp out!!! Ok, that's all for now!
  • arc918
    arc918 Posts: 2,037 Member
    Does anyone know of a good marathon in January?

    Houston, Disney, RnR AZ, Carlsbad

    some indoor and really cold stuff as well
  • Does any one use compression socks or tights? I have been looking into buying some because of my knee surgery from last year and was wondering if they do any good? Do you notice any difference when running with them? What is a good brand?

    Im doing my first 5K next week end (July 9th) and then my first 10K the first week of August! Hopefully then on to a HM in the end September!
  • Mamapengu
    Mamapengu Posts: 250
    Does any one use compression socks or tights? I have been looking into buying some because of my knee surgery from last year and was wondering if they do any good? Do you notice any difference when running with them? What is a good brand?

    I wear compression socks- and noticed help within a couple of runs, within a few months I didn't have to wear them any more. Now I just wear them if I expect to do something that triggers my injury. I don't have knee issues- I do have a friend who said the compression tights (CWX) were life savers for her knee- no pain or problem as long as she wears them. CWX is the preferred brand among those I run with- the consensus is to get them tight, squirm in and you'll never want to run with out them again...
  • LaraeTX
    LaraeTX Posts: 674 Member
    I have been so lazy, but the inevitable is going to happen, I will be doing my 2nd half marathon in about 19 weeks. I also got out there for a walk today, went 3 miles, 53 minutes, at 1:30 in the afternoon 100 degrees! I wasn't looking for a great time, just wanted to get out there and do something, but that time was really good considering how hot it was. Monday will begin my official training, so if I don't get on here to post my training, someone needs to light a fire under my booty!!!
  • ezrunnerp
    ezrunnerp Posts: 8 Member
    I agree--it's best not to worry about the lost week. Actually, sometimes when you are building up mileage it's good to cut way back your weekly mileage every so often and let the body rest up before pushing on. If you aren't sure about the long run, you might want to consider Galloway's walk/run program. Basically you run one mile and walk one minute (no more than one minute). I did that for a couple of marathons and actually had PR's with that.
  • lizzyheath09
    lizzyheath09 Posts: 18 Member
    Found this thread and have a few questions...

    I ran my first half marathon on May 1st (Flying Pig in Cincy) and have injured my left hip flexor. I haven't been for a decent run since. I just started PT without seeing a physician first.

    I guess my questions are:

    Have any of you had hip flexor injuries??
    If so, how long did it take to heal and what did you do to encourage that process?

    I have been biking (road and mountain) and doing 30DS video to keep semi in shape. I have another half scheduled in October and Ragnar Relay in November. I HAVE to start running again soon or I am in trouble...

    What has your PT said about time wise? When I ran in college I had a hip flexor injury. The AT told me to take of 3 weeks off and then ease back in. However, my coach made me work through it. SO it took much longer to heal. I used a compression sleeve and did specific stretches before every run. I also had deep tissue massages.

    What is a compression sleeve??

    *Found out that my left leg (injured hip) is 3cm longer than my right. :noway: I now wear a lift in my running shoe and in the shoes I wear to work.

    PT hasn't given me a time line but is making me run a couple times a week. I usually don't go over 3 miles and the lift in my shoe seems to be helping. Also, stimulation with a tens unit seems to make my pain go away entirely (until I run about 1.5 miles). I have also been doing more interval training and keeping my nice steady training pace during my runs. It seems to hurt more when I run slower. Whenever it hurts during a run, I walk until the pain eases and jump back in. This is what I did last year with ITBS (also left leg). I have considered a good deep tissue massage as well.
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