312 replies to this topic

[helent]

Hi
I am blatantly copying the thread started in the marathon section and I don't care
Anyone who is contemplating their first half marathon, drop in and let us know how your training is going. I am a complete noob and training for my first half marathon in June. So far (in the last 8 years anyway) I have completed a 5km race in December. I want to do the half marathon here in Alice Springs (which by the way, is not listed on the Cool Running Running calendar?). It won't have quite the same atmosphere as other races round Australia - looking at previous years' entries, we might get a grand total of 30 or so runners! So I am going to feel very lonely bringing up the rear of that race! In the 5km run I did here I lost sight of all runners and ended up taking a wrong turn on the way back in - lucky there was a couple of runners who were behind me who went the right way and nodded me in the right direction as they went past!
Anyway, I have started on a couple of different training programmes - the first one meant running 5 days a week. I decided I couldn't handle that, so started on the FIRST training programme - which was running only 3 times a week - a long run, a tempo run, and intervals. Sounded great! But now I have decided that I will cut out speed work completely for a month or two while I try to build mileage and an aerobic base (I will see how this goes). I should still have time then to build some speed work back in, in the last two or 3 months. Long run is now up to 17kms (but done very slowly as I am trying to keep my heart rate below 145bpm or so - which means about 7.5km/hr for me ). I have a new pair of trainers which may or may not do me through as they are bottom of the range and didn't realise it when I bought them. And so far, I am fairly injury free - aside from really achy lower legs and a niggle in my bum! The niggle in my bum has only come on in the last week - hope it is nothing serious.
Who else has decided to go for their first half?

[Gadfly]

Hi Helent,

Hand up for me too! Aiming for the Bathurst half on April for my first attempt.....and then hopefully the Hunter Valley half in July also. I just wanted to drop in and say Hi ....but really pushed for time tonight (school hols....), but will drop back in the next day or two and post more details about my efforts and training.

Great thread and looking forward to reading how many others are embarking on a similar challenge this year.

Take care training

[walker1st]

helent, on Jan 19 2009, 10:42 PM, said:

half marathon in June.

I want to do the half marathon here in Alice Springs (which by the way, is not listed on the Cool Running Running calendar?).

could You please post here a link to the race website ?

[silverfish]

Hello

I'm glad someone started up a similar thread to the first-time Marathoner thread. I'd been eyeing it in envy wishing there was a similar thing for HM's!!

My first-time HM is in Sept but I thought I'd crash this thread anyway

I haven't trained much these days, but will follow a Hal Higdon program I think.

As I have quite a bit of time until the HM, I'm going to train for a 10K, then 15K, then a half marathon.

All the best with your training!

[Didge]

Hi all,

I'm hoping to do my first half on the Gold Coast in July. Was originally tempted to go the whole hog and do the full, but decided to take smaller steps and experience a half as well. Have been running since April/May last year - and have done a few 5k funruns as well as a couple of 10k's. Currently, my schedule is 4 - 5 runs a week which includes a 16k long run and building, a couple of 6k quicker runs, and a couple of 8 - 10k easy runs. So at the moment I'm clocking up between 44 - 50k's per week. I also cycle 25k's twice a week and do a couple of strength training sessions just to mix things up.
Really enjoying it too, and can feel myself getting stronger.

Cheers,

Didge

[Huff]

G'day

I'm aiming at a half marathon as a step to the Melb Marathon (my first Mara).
Was injured for last 1/3 of last year after a bad ankle sprain wiping out my efforts for a Mara 2008. Had got my long runt to 30k.
This year i'm not filling in for basketball, therefore hopefully no repeat of the rolled ankle.
I need to start figuring out where and when to do the half and then organise some form of training schedule to suit.

[peterpan]

helent, on Jan 19 2009, 10:42 PM, said:

Hi
I am blatantly copying the thread started in the marathon section and I don't care
Anyone who is contemplating their first half marathon, drop in and let us know how your training is going. I am a complete noob and training for my first half marathon in June. So far (in the last 8 years anyway) I have completed a 5km race in December. I want to do the half marathon here in Alice Springs (which by the way, is not listed on the Cool Running Running calendar?). It won't have quite the same atmosphere as other races round Australia - looking at previous years' entries, we might get a grand total of 30 or so runners! So I am going to feel very lonely bringing up the rear of that race! In the 5km run I did here I lost sight of all runners and ended up taking a wrong turn on the way back in - lucky there was a couple of runners who were behind me who went the right way and nodded me in the right direction as they went past!
Anyway, I have started on a couple of different training programmes - the first one meant running 5 days a week. I decided I couldn't handle that, so started on the FIRST training programme - which was running only 3 times a week - a long run, a tempo run, and intervals. Sounded great! But now I have decided that I will cut out speed work completely for a month or two while I try to build mileage and an aerobic base (I will see how this goes). I should still have time then to build some speed work back in, in the last two or 3 months. Long run is now up to 17kms (but done very slowly as I am trying to keep my heart rate below 145bpm or so - which means about 7.5km/hr for me ). I have a new pair of trainers which may or may not do me through as they are bottom of the range and didn't realise it when I bought them. And so far, I am fairly injury free - aside from really achy lower legs and a niggle in my bum! The niggle in my bum has only come on in the last week - hope it is nothing serious.
Who else has decided to go for their first half?

I guess I will have to raise my hand..
I will be taking part of the Sri Chinmoy Running & Fitness Festival half marathon at the end of May.
It'll be my longest run to date, and will be completed in preparation to running the Melbourne Marathon in October, and will be hoping to complete it in less than 2 hours. (hopefully 1:50 or so)..

Started training (with the c25k program) in October last year, giving myself a year to go from couch potato (or IT geek, really) to marathon runner.

Anyway.. Anyone doing the half marathon at williamstown this year will certainly see me there!

[helent]

Fantastic responses so far everybody, thanks! Now I don't feel so lonely.

The link for the Alice Springs running calendar is here:
Alice Springs running events

Just tried it though, not working at the moment Was working OK yesterday. Hopefully it will be back up and running soon.

[helent]

peterpan, on Jan 20 2009, 01:39 PM, said:

I guess I will have to raise my hand..
I will be taking part of the Sri Chinmoy Running & Fitness Festival half marathon at the end of May.
It'll be my longest run to date, and will be completed in preparation to running the Melbourne Marathon in October, and will be hoping to complete it in less than 2 hours. (hopefully 1:50 or so)..

Started training (with the c25k program) in October last year, giving myself a year to go from couch potato (or IT geek, really) to marathon runner.

Anyway.. Anyone doing the half marathon at williamstown this year will certainly see me there!

Amazing progress in such short time Peterpan! You will have to let me in on your training secrets

[Paul21]

Hi,

I'm planning to run my first half this year as well.

I started running in July last year and was planning to run in the Melbourne Marathon half. However, I injured a tendon in my calf / ankle. I think the problem was that I was trying to do too much too soon. This time I am slowly building up a base over a few months. I am still to decide on with half to aim for. Either the Sri Chinmoy half in Williamstown or the Run Melbourne one.

Good luck with your training!

[Crunchie]

Congratulations to all of you for deciding to run a half marathon. I completed my first in September last year and loved it. I am hoping to do my second in May, and depending on how that goes, maybe a marathon in September. I kind of wish it was my first though so I could be a proper member of this thread!

Good luck with all of your training, I found others' experiences on CR to be a huge help.

[CountryMuzz]

Thanks for setting this up Helen.

I have been on the "first marathon thread, but still qualify for this one. I am planning my first half in March at Newcastle. My only other races have been a 10km at Tamworth and the City to Surf last year - so the half is a step up from there. I am hoping to do my first marathon in Sydney in September - but need to take one step at a time.

I have been training since May last year, but got serious in December. I tend to stick to three good runs/wk (I haven't tried the often discussed "recovery" run yet - my recovery to date has been a good sit down ). I do a long run each weekend - got it up to 20km last Sunday. Having done 20k's I am now pretty happy with being able to make the "half" distance - now I want to get to a time that I will be happy with.

Best of luck to everybody - I think the hardest part is to commit to doing it (closely followed by doing hundreds of kilometres of training). So keep us posted on your progress, whether it is good ideas that you have heard, or that you have had a great week, or a shocking one. It is all part of the journey.

Murray

[craigus]

Hi HelenT and others,

I'm also a CR newbie. I started running about this time last year to get fit for soccer and ended up running the City 2 Surf and 3 other fun runs at the end of the year and I'm now addicted!

One of my goals is to also run a Half this year, although May/June/July is probably a little soon for me. I'm currently doing a fair bit of speed and hill work for 10km races, but will start building the distances (and gaining more fun run experience) over the coming months with a view to the Sydney Running Festival in September.

The encouragement you get on this site is amazing. Good luck with the training. I hope it goes well.

Craigus

[helent]

CountryMuzz, on Jan 20 2009, 08:38 PM, said:

I tend to stick to three good runs/wk (I haven't tried the often discussed "recovery" run yet - my recovery to date has been a good sit down .
Murray

ROFL So far, this has been my aproach to recovery runs too! In fact, I was thinking of starting a thread entitled "recovery runs - do they really exist or would I be better off just having a proper rest and watching T.V".
Good luck with the first half - not far away now? And who knows, maybe I'll see you in Sydney in September.....

[helent]

craigus, on Jan 20 2009, 08:56 PM, said:

Hi HelenT and others,

I'm also a CR newbie. I started running about this time last year to get fit for soccer and ended up running the City 2 Surf and 3 other fun runs at the end of the year and I'm now addicted!

One of my goals is to also run a Half this year, although May/June/July is probably a little soon for me. I'm currently doing a fair bit of speed and hill work for 10km races, but will start building the distances (and gaining more fun run experience) over the coming months with a view to the Sydney Running Festival in September.

The encouragement you get on this site is amazing. Good luck with the training. I hope it goes well.

Craigus

Hi Craigus, good luck to you too. Maybe I'll see you in Syndey too? (probably getting well ahead of myself here, but all being well, I would love to do my first marathon in Sydney in September, but a lot of mileage to get under the belt before then).

[Didge]

helent, on Jan 20 2009, 07:59 PM, said:

ROFL So far, this has been my aproach to recovery runs too! In fact, I was thinking of starting a thread entitled "recovery runs - do they really exist or would I be better off just having a proper rest and watching T.V".
Good luck with the first half - not far away now? And who knows, maybe I'll see you in Sydney in September.....

Ask Walker1st about recovery runs - he has some really interesting thoughts on them. Personally, I find the recovery runs really do help.

[julz83]

another first timer here

i had a crack at it last year but my itb decided it was not to be so 2009 is definately the year of the half. As my signature says Im making my debut at the intraining twilight half. Also have my sights on the gold coast and brisbane halfs. Will have to see how my body holds up.

Im doing lots of different runs combined with some cross training and a couple of weight sessions and Im feeling as strong and fit as Ive ever been so Im excited as to what lies ahead.

good luck to all other virgin halfers! maybe see some of you out there

[walker1st]

thanks Helent for the calendar link,
now it is clear - there are 2 halfs in AS, I was only thinking the one which is addition to full marathon in august (16 aug), which from my memory was choosen as 2009 CR convention ? there was a thread about that long time ago.

June is too busy for me but I am keeping the full option on 16 aug in the back of my mind.

good luck with training

[helent]

Didge, on Jan 21 2009, 06:53 AM, said:

Ask Walker1st about recovery runs - he has some really interesting thoughts on them. Personally, I find the recovery runs really do help.

Yes, Didge, I am sure they do - I was just being a little facetious, and so far too unfit and pushing myself too hard to be able to do two days in a row. However, now with a change in attitude and training methods.......

[Didge]

helent, on Jan 21 2009, 04:23 PM, said:

Yes, Didge, I am sure they do - I was just being a little facetious, and so far too unfit and pushing myself too hard to be able to do two days in a row. However, now with a change in attitude and training methods.......

I know it was tongue in cheek - I used to think the same way, but after incorporating a couple of recovery runs into my week, I can definitely feel the difference and the benefit.

[flyingdutchman]

2009 is the year of the half-mara for me too.

First one in June. looking to do 2 or 3 and next year june doing a full.

[CountryMuzz]

julz83, on Jan 21 2009, 09:26 AM, said:

another first timer here

Welcome aboard Julz - looks like we are on about the same timeline. Newcastle is 29th March, so I am on only a few days before your first. Sounds like your training is on track. How are your miles looking? Is that long run getting longer?

[julz83]

CountryMuzz, on Jan 21 2009, 06:30 PM, said:

Welcome aboard Julz - looks like we are on about the same timeline. Newcastle is 29th March, so I am on only a few days before your first. Sounds like your training is on track. How are your miles looking? Is that long run getting longer?

ah nice one.

yep slowly getting the kms under my feet. am coming back from itb troubles last year so im very aware of not ramping up the miles too fast too soon. got 40km under the belt last week. my long run is in the mid teens now so getting there! im excited

from tamworth hey? giddyup! country music is good for the soul right?

[kmn]

Another CR newbie here - though I have been a lurker for a while!

I have been running regularly for the past 18 months or so and will be attempting my first half at the GC Marathon in July. I generally do two 5-7km runs and one 10km run per week (plus regular group fitness classes at the gym) but will be slowly increasing my running distances over the next few months to prepare for the GC.

Good luck to everyone aiming for their first half this year!

[helent]

Well, I'm now a week into training whilst trying to keep my heart rate around 145bpm or below, and its driving me nuts already The first couple of training sessions it wasn't all that bad - in fact, quite a nice change to go along at a gentle jog, but today when I got to about 2km and I was shuffling along at less than 8km/hr - I thought I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!. So then, I decided to do sort of mini-intervals - I ended up walking for a little while til my heart rate came down and then pushed it up to a really zippy (yeah right! ) 9km/hr until my heart rate was back up to 145 again. I hope I see some improvements with this (and soon! - although I understand it could take weeks/months - aaaggghhhh! ).

[LaurenR]

Me!

I'm aiming for the Perth HM on Sunday 21st June (my first one). I'm really motivated and excited, however for the past 2 weeks have had severe hip joint pain, which I've never had before. I'm putting it down to my body's shock at starting running again after the slug-fest that was Christmas! Note to self - don't ever stop running because it's hard to start again!

I'm not going to get a fab time in the HM, but I'd just be stoked to finish it. And then I get on a plane for a holiday in Turkey the day after! Nice reward

I'm sure I'll be visiting this site several times a day in the lead up to the event - all the talk and encouragement is brilliant!!

Lauren

[SouthAustralian]

Hi everyone, I am hesitating...but putting up my hand.
A bit of background...
I meant to do the HM at Melbourne last year but 2008 was the Year of Injury for me. Ive been running about a year and half, but havent made much progress with times or distance. I run at least 4 times a week, but am not a natural or fast runner. There are reasons, which i won't go into here.
With that said I decided that I had to get this monkey off the back, so am aiming for a sub 2 hour 30 mins (I said that I was slow) at the barossa (SA) HM.
I reckon this will be an invaluable thread offering support, encouragement and advice.
Cheers
Frank in SA

[CountryMuzz]

How is everybody going with their training?

Only two months to go until Newcastle - so starting I am starting to put a bit of pressure on myself. I have had a good week - first time over 50km. I managed to complete a 22km long run today, my first time over 20k's - so feeling better about being able to complete the half - just want to try to get the time down a bit now. I am planning an "easy" week next week (shorter "long" run, and no high speed runs), and then get back into the intensity the week after. I am planning on getting some serious hill running in over the next few weeks to try to build up some better leg speed.

Hope everybody elses plans are coming along. Give us an update and let us know how things are going.

Murray

Edited by CountryMuzz, 25 January 2009 - 12:06 PM.

[Janeo]

Hi! I am putting my hand up too I am aiming at the GC half for my first and the Brissie half, so i have until July to get cracking. Just reading everyones posts here I think I had better get the kms going because my long runs aren't long yet I am still hiding from the Brisbane heat and doing a lot of work in gym rather than outside and my runs are only 5-7 kms at the moment. So this thread is a great kick in the pants for me! Time to get outta the gym and back on the street!

[AnnaSpanner]

Hello Cool Runners....

Thank you Helent for starting this thread! I wanted to join the first time marathon thread for the wonderful support it is generating, but felt like an imposter because it really is reserved for those very courageous people that have committed to the ultimate running experience. I have the feeling that I will one day, but am not quite ready!
I've been running for about 18 months and am hopelessly, utterly in love with it! I have not felt this alive for a long time! I am hoping to do my first HM in April at Bathurst - on the anniversary of my first ever race, the Bathurst 10km. My next milestone is to be the Gold Coast HM, followed by the Tamworth Ten, and City 2 Surf. This is the year I hope to improve my previous best time of 50:17 for 10km too.
A few months ago I had built up to 16km long runs on weekends, with 10kms in between, but got a minor ITB injury - which incidentally I blame on an afternoon spent in very high heels that my body isn't used to. It set me back a little, but taught me alot, about resilience, perserverence, and accepting that it is unrealistic to expect to be constantly improving, that ups and downs are a part of running, not a failure. I guess it also taught me not to wear heels anymore. A sad day......
So I am back into full training now, having moved house as well just after Christmas, and just did a 12km run yesterday. I also do 2 or 3 10km runs mid week, at the moment in about 53 mins.
My secret recovery weapon(!) is a combination of pilates, yoga and rest. It ensures that I stretch well at least every other day, that my core strength is good, which i have noticed has helped by speed in a dramatic way. the meditation aspect is also great. I only do about 10mins of each, but it makes such a difference. Does anyone else out there do pilates too?

Keep running.....

[kermc]

LaurenR, on Jan 23 2009, 03:50 PM, said:

Me!

I'm aiming for the Perth HM on Sunday 21st June (my first one).

me too Its my 30th birthday present to myself! I started running in August last year (finished the C25k in October) and have steadily and slowly (emphasis on the slowly...) been building up since then. I'm training for the Asics Bridges 10k in April, and if I can pull that off without utter humiliation will carry on training into the half. I'm really loving my running at the moment, I've only just upped my frequency to 4 days a week, and will add a 5th day in a few weeks.

[FrankieP]

Hi everyone! I've just come from the First Time Marathoners thread, but I guess I suit this one too as I've not even run a half yet!

I'm training for the Gold Coast Marathon in July, but will be running my first half marathon race on April 5th at the In Training Twilight Half race. I can't wait! I've never run that far yet but am hoping to in the coming week.. I did my longest yet this week just gone at 19.2kms / 12 miles, and now my next distance target is 21.1km.

Despite occasional aches here and there in my left shin and in old fractures of my right lower leg I'm happy with how my training's going, and am hoping to do a decent time for my first half as I'll have a good bit of training behind me by then, including two months since first running that far.

My only worry with training is that because I have to do most of my running on a treadmill because of being on call for work, everytime I run on the road I end up with sharp pains in my left shin. When I do have a day off I run on trails rather than the road, and I'm wondering if I'm just not used to such a hard surface. Fingers crossed that when I do come to running that far on the road in the race that I don't crumple into a heap!

I'm doing the marathon because it's something that simply must be done, but once it is done I'll relax back into 10km and half marathon training. My heart lies with the 10km but I think the half is a great distance too, and - barring any unfathomable love lust developing for the marathon - I can see myself sticking these as my main events. Would love to run a sub-40 10km one day. I guess a half marathon One-Day Goal for me could be sub-1:40? For my first race though I'd be happy with under 1:50.. or just finishing in one piece!


This week in training I did (reposted from that other thread):


Monday: Rest day. Shatterbones aching with rain pain, stupid weather.
Tuesday am: 5km run in the morning, leg really sore, stopped at 5.
Tuesday pm: Tried again, did 5km before the shin of my good leg gave a sharp twang! Le sigh.
Wednesday: 16km tready run. Good leg shin behaved itself, but felt flat overall.
Thursday: Rest day. Got very drunk.
Friday: Seedy as anything, but somehow made it through 12 miles, 19.2km, my longest run ever! Hooray for simple carbohydrates!
Saturday: Weights at the gym. Am doing strength weekly now, this only my 2nd session in ages.
Sunday: Am due for a day off. Legs are aching after gym, but I still find myself tempted to do a light 10km.

TOTAL: 45.2km.

The long run I did mostly at 11kmh (I think around 5:20 pace), which is a change for me as I usually run at 12kmh. Have been thinking I need to slow down for longest-yet runs, and I did feel much better for it. From the 12th onwards I upped my speed by a smidgen, 0.1kmh, every kilometre just to shift my stride around a bit and gradually speed up. The last km I did at my usual long run pace, 12kmh or 5:00 pace, and that felt great.

Am trying to restrain myself and not go running this afternoon but it's really hard, especially with my total distance so close to 50kms! My left shin has been twinging all day, but still I keep thinking of going down. I'd like to run out the soreness in my legs after gym, but don't like that the shin is hurting and can't imagine it would do it any good.

161 days 'til my marathon! Next week I'm planning on running 20kms, but I can't see myself running 20kms and not running 21.1, haha!

Edited by FrankieP, 25 January 2009 - 03:09 PM.

[julz83]

crikey frankie i dont know how you can run so far on the treadmill. 5km is about the most i can do before i get bored shitless. see you at the twilight half hey?

my training is plodding along nicely got. this week's total came to around the 36km which is hopefully about right- did 2x7km runs, an interval/speed session, cross training session, 2x weights sessions and my long run today of 14km. i think i'll stick with about that and just progressively get longer on my long,slow run. might add some hills into one of my shorter runs too.

i am very aware of being kind to my itb with lots of stretching and strength work and jumping on the foam roller every now and again. so far so good!

anna- i used to do pilates religiously three times a week and loved it but now do weights instead and ive built up a good core that way, so helpful for my running.

frank- i reckon you'll kill it!

good luck everyone else. keep up the variety with training sessions and lots of stretching!

[Gazman]

Hi all, I am planning to do the GC Half this year as my first half Marathon as well. It appears there could be quite a few of us at the start line.

I have only been running for a year and did a few 10k events. The GC last year was first 10k and was really happy to get under 47 mins. This year is my first half and I am hoping to build to a marathon for my 50th brithday next year, body permitting.

I have just started back at my training this month and building the milage slowly. I can only run 3 times a week and have just been doing some comfortable runs up to 12k at the moment. Next month I will start some intervals and increase my long run slowly. The difficulty I have is pace. I tend to go out to quickly and really struggle later. I am still trying to workout what a consistent half marathon pace should be.

Thanks Helen for starting this tread as I am interested to see how my taining compares with others first timers. Good luck with the training and remember every training session will make the Half in Alice that much more enjoyable.

[Reed]

Hi All,
I have been a casual beginner runner for a few years now. I used to find it difficult to find the time to do any serious running for more than 2-4 Klm once or twice a week due to work commitments. However I have now quit my job and started Uni to study law full time. So as of Jan this year I have started to take running more serious. So serious in fact that I have given up all forms of alcohol!! and am very particular about what I eat. So far in Jan I have dropped 5Kg but am still on the heavy side and need to drop another 4-5Kg to get to my target of 85KG (normal BMI)

I am running about 40 klm a week and while my long runs are only 8.7 Klm I will increase this as I drop weight and increase my pace. I have managed to reach my first goal of a sub 25 min 5 Klm run.

I plan to do the intraining twilight HM with the view to just completing it. This will be my first HM the previous longest distance has been 12Klm. So I have a bit of work to do and am also a little nervous about entering. After that I hope to do the Gold Coast HM.

However seeing other peoples stories on the the Cool Running forums provide me with the motivation to stick with it.

Hope to see some of you at the starting line.

Cheers.

[FrankieP]

Julz, I don't have a choice - being on call for work (Paramedic) I'm tied to within 1 minute of that bloody truck, so have to make do. I guess I plug in my iPod and just keep going..! With the tennis on lately I've had that to watch at least.. we have the telly on with the sound off, and it's somewhere to point my eyes. Oh, and I daydream a lot.

I'm an ex-swimmer, and I wholly contribute my well-developed imagination to mindless hours during my formative years spent thrashing about in a vat of chlorine, following ye olde line.... hahaha come to think of it treadmill running's just the running version of the line, so no wonder it doesn't bother me!

Ooh and I'll definitely see you at the Twilight, will that be your first half race too? I can't wait! Hoping to run the distance this week... yup, on the tready!



Gaz, perhaps invest in a running watch like a Garmin to track your speed when running? Pace is hard to work out early on, especially when shifting into longer and longer runs, and I'd be utterly lost in that regard when running outside without my Polar to pace from, I need the context of knowing my pace as otherwise it's hard to tell how fast I'm going if perhaps I'm feeling flatter than usual. I have the RS800SD, it's great but exxy, the Garmins are fantastic too and a cheaper option.



Reed, congratulations on the life change and the goals. You should be especially commended for giving up the alcomahol, but if motivation leaves you and your resolutions start to fail, just remember that with your weight loss you're going to be kind of like wearing a CamelBak when running.. the longer and further you run, the lighter you'll get, and the easier it'll get as you go along! [Well hopefully you don't get so low on motivation you'll rely on that nugget of gold, but hey, it's there if times get tough...]

Will see you at the Twilight Half too!

[bobbys]

FrankieP, on Jan 26 2009, 10:24 PM, said:

Julz, I don't have a choice - being on call for work (Paramedic) I'm tied to within 1 minute of that bloody truck, so have to make do. I guess I plug in my iPod and just keep going..! With the tennis on lately I've had that to watch at least.. we have the telly on with the sound off, and it's somewhere to point my eyes. Oh, and I daydream a lot.

I'm an ex-swimmer, and I wholly contribute my well-developed imagination to mindless hours during my formative years spent thrashing about in a vat of chlorine, following ye olde line.... hahaha come to think of it treadmill running's just the running version of the line, so no wonder it doesn't bother me!

Ooh and I'll definitely see you at the Twilight, will that be your first half race too? I can't wait! Hoping to run the distance this week... yup, on the tready!



Gaz, perhaps invest in a running watch like a Garmin to track your speed when running? Pace is hard to work out early on, especially when shifting into longer and longer runs, and I'd be utterly lost in that regard when running outside without my Polar to pace from, I need the context of knowing my pace as otherwise it's hard to tell how fast I'm going if perhaps I'm feeling flatter than usual. I have the RS800SD, it's great but exxy, the Garmins are fantastic too and a cheaper option.



Reed, congratulations on the life change and the goals. You should be especially commended for giving up the alcomahol, but if motivation leaves you and your resolutions start to fail, just remember that with your weight loss you're going to be kind of like wearing a CamelBak when running.. the longer and further you run, the lighter you'll get, and the easier it'll get as you go along! [Well hopefully you don't get so low on motivation you'll rely on that nugget of gold, but hey, it's there if times get tough...]

Will see you at the Twilight Half too!

I thought I would post as well - both as a NOOB to the site and also to the HM.

Used to run many many years ago and then got injured and got married and then kids came along.

Started running after Christmas and since them I've done 2 18.5km runs (1:47:30) and regular 9.5km runs. Did my first fun run yesterday since about 1996 - the Canterbury City Council one - great time and actually did a season PB - 26:58 for the 5.5km.

My plan is for the Sydney Half in May and then if it goes well, a Marathon in Sept - don't know if i'm rushing it but I figure if I start doing weekly 18/19km runs, the body will start getting used to it.

Great site and great encouragement from members.

BobbyS

[jaydee1]

am also contemplating a half marathon, and am not sure how that came about!!

was thinking of central coast next dec therefore giving myself almost 12 months preparation time. then thought that might be too long as i could go off the whole idea, when someone mentioned a sydney half in may. thought not too far away but gives me time to get some kms into the feet.

however cannot find mention of this on CR calendar, am i looking in wrong place or is it not there yet?

thanks

[silverfish]

maybe the calendar hasn't been updated yet, but the SMH HM in may is here: http://halfmarathon.smh.com.au/
May 17 2009

Anyway, how is everyone's training going? I have lots of good intentions but haven't really put it into practice yet. Kicked off my training schedule by partaking in the 5.5km Australia Day Fun Run held by Canterbury Council. It was the first time I'd run for 3 months and I was predictably sore today.

Doing the HM will be a challenge for me as I don't train very consistently...

[FrankieP]

Have just entered my first half marathon race, the InTraining Twilight Half on April 5th! Scored a free race singlet for getting in quick, bonus!

Was pondering this race to come whilst battling a hills session on the tready this arvo, and thinking that the late afternoon start will probably be great for me. Others might find it strange, but I do all my running around the time of the 1730hrs start, so for me it's business as usual.. only a little faster than usual, hopefully!

Here's the website, get in quick to grab your singlet as I don't think they'll last long - http://www.intrainin...p?contentID=796

[Ponyface]

I'll put my hand up too. This way, it's more real! My current plan is for my first half about mid-year. I do waver between being confident and utterly terrified. My longest 'race' so far was the 15k GAR and I was pleased with that. 6 more kms shouldn't be that hard????
2008 was really my first year running. I did a few 10k races and did improve my time over the year, though yet to go below 50 minutes. I think I've realised that I would rather be a bit slower and to enjoy myself.
What I need to do now is to commit to a race and a date. I need to start doing more long runs, getting away from my comfort zone of 10ks, and to be more confident that a 51-year-old 'non runner' can actually complete a half.
I'll look forward to following everyone else's journeys towards their first half.

[suzi]

I guess my hand is up too. I started running 4 years ago and managed the city to surf at a bit of a push. Three years and three babies later l haven't run much at all but now l am back on the wagon with the goal being at the Noosa half in August. I am only managing two runs a week at the moment of 5-7 km each but l do manage to do two pool sessions of 2km. So l guess l really need to get another run into the schedule and try and extend my Sunday trot.
Should l be increasing time and keep the heart rate somewhere specific (150?) or distance?
Some runs l feel fabulous and l am so excited about a HM and others l feel like l am pushing it uphill the entire way. Psychological warfare.

Thanks
Sue

[balfey]

Alright, I put in my entry today so it's time to make it official - yes I will run the Twilight Half, along with Julz, Frankie, and Reed (and any others I may have missed... sorry, big thread) as a first timer! At least it seems there will be a huge CR cheersquad for us. Julz in particular, congratulations - real glad to see the training is coming along well, after our brief encounter at B2B last year that's great news. At the moment my long run is out to 12km a week, so I've got a long way to go in the next 8-9weeks... Can't wait though! Train hard everyone.

balfey

[julz83]

balfey, on Jan 28 2009, 09:44 PM, said:

Alright, I put in my entry today so it's time to make it official - yes I will run the Twilight Half, along with Julz, Frankie, and Reed (and any others I may have missed... sorry, big thread) as a first timer! At least it seems there will be a huge CR cheersquad for us. Julz in particular, congratulations - real glad to see the training is coming along well, after our brief encounter at B2B last year that's great news. At the moment my long run is out to 12km a week, so I've got a long way to go in the next 8-9weeks... Can't wait though! Train hard everyone.

balfey

thanks balfey! yeah that run was the worst ive done in my whole life. i will never feel that shit ever again. lesson learned is not to run when my body is not fighting fit. look forward to meeting you with a smile on my face next time!

12km is great, you'll be fine. just remember the 10% rule and you'll blitz the half. you should get down to the brissie road runners club, runs are on every second sunday with varying distances, very friendly bunch and well organised. im doing the 15km there this sunday- takes the guess work out of my long run for me!

[FrankieP]

Well.. I went for my long run last night, and.. I did it! Half marathon distance, whooo!

I felt pretty good when I started, but around halfway through I started to feel that my legs weren't as fresh as I'd thought. I'd done a heavy weights set last Saturday the day after my previous longest run, had Sunday off, done the heavy 16km hills run on Monday though legs were still tight from weights, then had Wednesday off; but there must have still been some fatigue in there as my legs got really heavy around halfway through.

I started out easy on 10kmh for the first 2km, then did 11kmh until I got to 10km mark, then added 0.1kmh on for each km I ran. By the time I got to 18kms I found I was feeling better and stronger for the faster speeds so just went straight to 12kmh, and.. it felt wayyyyy better than running slower! I ran at 12kmh until 20kms mark and then went to 13kmh for the last 1.1, it was awesome. Ran through the 21.1 at 1:51 and felt fab, so snapped a quick pic for the album!

The speed thing's weird.. the other day I felt good for starting to notch down speed for longest ever runs, but last night I felt way better once I got nearer to my old 'usual' speed. Despite this I don't think though that I'd have felt so good if I'd started out at 12 and kept going the whole way.. perhaps I simply did it right for the first time ever, and this is how it's supposed to feel at the end of a run if you pace yourself properly throughout! No wonder it feels so strange, haha!

Running that last km at 13 I felt fast and strong, it was the best feeling ever, so next time I might start out the same but begin upping my speed earlier or perhaps at 0.2 per km so I hit 12kmh at 15kms mark, and see how I feel at the end. Will probably be a mess, but there's only one way to find out, haha! I've ages until my first half marathon race in April so am determined to get used to the distance and get my pacing right for it long before raceday.

I felt really energised after my run and spent half an hour running around the garden with the dogs at our other place, then went home for a shower. On my way back out the door to go back over though I bonked my knee on the coffee table and crippled myself!!! Not just any old bonk either - this one was a serious, authentic, bonafide *bonk*.

ARGH it's the worst feeling, too.. I caught my patella right on the edge and the feeling was so intense it made me change colour, I went all pale and funny! I watched it grow into a big egg on my knee and couldn't bend it for two hours, so back around our other place I sat with ice on my knee and scoffed codeine and brufen. After that experience I can hereby state with authority that there are few pains worse than ice on a bonked kneecap.

SO I ran 21.1kms without problems, then crippled myself simply walking through the house. FAIL.

Edited by FrankieP, 30 January 2009 - 08:15 AM.

[Didge]

Congrats on the run Frankie - but MASSIVE FAIL for the knee. Hope it recovers quickly so you can continue with your training.

[AndyP]

Nice work on both counts, Frankie.

[julz83]

ha yeah well done on the distance. bugger about your knee!

[kermc]

ouch frankie!! Good work on the distance.

I'm not starting my half training until 12 weeks out, but am training for a 10k, and this week was a breakthrough for me as I upped it to 5 runs a week - for the first time I am comfortably managing consecutive days and starting to understand where the "recovery" comes in for recovery runs

[LaurenR]

I'm starting my HM training program on Monday which goes for 10 weeks. I figure although I have until end of June, I might need to repeat some weeks if the distance is increasing too fast for me. What I like about the program is that you can either do the distance they suggest, or run for the amount of time. Given I'll be doing a lot of running around the streets I might stick to the suggested times. As much as map my run is available etc., wearing a watch is far easier. And I've got a few courses (e.g. the bridges run) where I can check my times and distances every now and then.

Very exciting. Oh, except that I'm going to be seriously cutting down on drinking until June, which isn't so exciting. I won't get my long weekend runs in if I'm hungover. Also embarking on a healthy eating regime to get me in tip-top shape. But at least people won't argue with me when I refuse a drink or some junk food if I say "sorry, I'm training for a half marathon"....

Edited by LaurenR, 30 January 2009 - 02:13 PM.