19 replies to this topic

[Room40]

Hi

Thought Id start a thread for any newbies like me who are attempting their first HM in these months. Im doing my first HM on Dec 6 in Singapore and have started my 12 week training program this week.

I'm 44 and only started running (I use that term loosely) in Jan this year and am doing it for a variety of reasons but the main one is weight loss and general fitness.

Hoping to hear from other 1st HM'ers.

Cheers

[kpie]

Spanks, on Sep 20 2009, 10:00 AM, said:

Hi

Thought Id start a thread for any newbies like me who are attempting their first HM in these months. Im doing my first HM on Dec 6 in Singapore and have started my 12 week training program this week.

I'm 44 and only started running (I use that term loosely) in Jan this year and am doing it for a variety of reasons but the main one is weight loss and general fitness.

Hoping to hear from other 1st HM'ers.

Cheers

Hi there,

I too have decided to go for a half this year in Nov - it will also be my first! I hope not to die either... I'm 35 yrs and statred running this year after I'd been attending group fitness with friends for
around a year. I'm hooked on feeling good now! My mates are still doing groups with me but none have really got the bug like (they think I'm a little crazy). Anyway I'm giving it a crack and am ready to get 'serious' with my training so we could keep one another posted.

Bye for now

Edited by kpie, 28 September 2009 - 12:05 PM.

[Room40]

Hi kpie

Sounds good... which HM have you decided to do?

Room

[kpie]

Room40, on Sep 29 2009, 02:05 PM, said:

Hi kpie

Sounds good... which HM have you decided to do?

Room

Good to hear from you Room

I decided on the Deep Space Mountain Marathon in ACT 22 Nov. I'm going for the 19km run.
It will definately be challenging but I am sure I can make the distance.
This week I've run a 14km, 5km, circuit training session & did interval for 35 min today plus
core strength, I also stretch alot.

Which race are you going for?

K

[Room40]

kpie, on Oct 2 2009, 12:28 PM, said:

Good to hear from you Room

I decided on the Deep Space Mountain Marathon in ACT 22 Nov. I'm going for the 19km run.
It will definately be challenging but I am sure I can make the distance.
This week I've run a 14km, 5km, circuit training session & did interval for 35 min today plus
core strength, I also stretch alot.

Which race are you going for?

K

Singapore HM on Dec 6th

Im doing this http://www.halhigdon...thon/novice.htm 12 week training course... well at least Im trying my hardest to do it.. have hit a couple of snags along the way but changed days due to other commitments. I figure if I can do this and especially run a total of 30k in the second last week i should be in with a chance for finishing the HM. This is my first goal.. just to finish it.

Im still trying to find a balance between cross training and pure running and I havent got a good routine yet.

Sounds like you are doing well what with the circuit and interval training. I have been to the ACT a couple of times and been out to the RADOMES and if my memory serves me correctly it was quite hilly?

IS your HM hilly?

Cheers.. Room

[kpie]

Room40, on Oct 2 2009, 07:06 PM, said:

Singapore HM on Dec 6th

Im doing this http://www.halhigdon...thon/novice.htm 12 week training course... well at least Im trying my hardest to do it.. have hit a couple of snags along the way but changed days due to other commitments. I figure if I can do this and especially run a total of 30k in the second last week i should be in with a chance for finishing the HM. This is my first goal.. just to finish it.

Im still trying to find a balance between cross training and pure running and I havent got a good routine yet.

Sounds like you are doing well what with the circuit and interval training. I have been to the ACT a couple of times and been out to the RADOMES and if my memory serves me correctly it was quite hilly?

IS your HM hilly?

Cheers.. Room

Hi Room,

Singapore hey? What is the attraction there? It would be quite humid I would imagine. I'm am inland girl so humidity is a new hurdle for me.

I just checked out your program. It seems fairly similar to others I've looked at too. The consistant thread through them is to keep builing on the length of time your are running for, not neccessarily speed. When I started running this year I was flat out running for 10 minutes non stop. Now I can run 1hr 45min with out any trouble if I maintain a consistant pace. I'm working on getting to doing a 2 & 1/2 hr run two weeks out from my HM. My current pace indicates that I'll do around 23kms in that time. I'm still pinching myself that I have come this far!

The HM I'm entering is a mountain marathon so it will be hilly. If you go to the Mountain Running Page listed on the main menu you will see a list of events including th Deep Space Mountain Marathon, if you're intersted. My challege in training is to find hills to train on. On our farm there is only one decent one, but there are a couple 25 min drive towards town that have public access so I will aim to get to them once a week starting next week. My theory behind the interval training is that it will condition my muscles for a higher anaerobic threshold, hence longer time before fatigue sets in.

Any way time to hit the hay! Going for a morning run tomorrow. Did a 50 minute run this afternoon (about 8km) - felt awsome afterwards .

Happy running,

K

[Isthisnametaken]

I am looking toward the HM in Orange (NSW) in March 2010. This is the training guide I am using:

http://www.furman.edu/first/Half%20Maratho...g%20Program.pdf

It is a 3 day a week program and I read on some blog somewhere that others that had tried it improved their times.

[steenbokpixie]

Hello,

I, too, have decided to run my first half marathon. My problem is that I want to do it to be able to say that I've accomplished it, not to run half marathons regularly. I prefer shorter distances like 5k and even have trouble running 10km because I get very bored/out of it. So now I have to start pushing myself to do longer distances in order to be able to accomplish the HM and hope that I won't have trouble staying motivated.

[frankie17]

steenbokpixie, on Oct 21 2009, 06:51 PM, said:

Hello,

I, too, have decided to run my first half marathon. My problem is that I want to do it to be able to say that I've accomplished it, not to run half marathons regularly. I prefer shorter distances like 5k and even have trouble running 10km because I get very bored/out of it. So now I have to start pushing myself to do longer distances in order to be able to accomplish the HM and hope that I won't have trouble staying motivated.

sbp,

Myself, I find the journey more interesting than the destination. I find the body changes, the increases in speed for constant HR, the lower HR for a constant speed, the increased confidence in digging in and pushing to the top of that hill, and then not letting up when I reach the top, the constant interest in finding new trails, are the more interesting parts of it. As is the learned ability to get up and out at 5am despite the wind and rain. The regular events (HMs, FMs are like signposts BETWEEN the important stuff, not the end themselves).

But that's just me.

Follow your heart. Good luck getting to the HM.

Edited by frankie17, 21 October 2009 - 09:48 PM.

[steenbokpixie]

frankie17, on Oct 21 2009, 07:46 PM, said:

sbp,

Myself, I find the journey more interesting than the destination. I find the body changes, the increases in speed for constant HR, the lower HR for a constant speed, the increased confidence in digging in and pushing to the top of that hill, and then not letting up when I reach the top, the constant interest in finding new trails, are the more interesting parts of it. As is the learned ability to get up and out at 5am despite the wind and rain. The regular events (HMs, FMs are like signposts BETWEEN the important stuff, not the end themselves).

But that's just me.

Follow your heart. Good luck getting to the HM.

Yeah, I guess we're different . I've definitely seen and felt awesome body changes, but I've been finding it more fun trying to increase my 5km speed rather than distance. So when I do increase my distance it's for the accomplishment of having reached it.

Thanks for the good luck wishes, I'll need it

[Brick]

steenbokpixie, on Oct 21 2009, 10:58 PM, said:

Yeah, I guess we're different . I've definitely seen and felt awesome body changes, but I've been finding it more fun trying to increase my 5km speed rather than distance. So when I do increase my distance it's for the accomplishment of having reached it.

Thanks for the good luck wishes, I'll need it

If possible for your long runs find either a group or an individula who is similar speed and run with them this will stop you getting bored.
Run different routes and also add different surfaces some road/grass/trail/single track you will never look back and it will all help your 5km times.

Look at the big picture, and have fun that is the main goal.

Brick

[Dr1Villar]

Hi folks,

I'm 41 & have been running since 21/6/09 with a couple lengthy breaks off for one reason or other.

Well it's time for me to find out..... I've got my 1st HM at the end of this week on Sun 06/12 & starting to feel a little apprehensive about it now.

I'm a little undercooked as far as longer runs go near HM distance, though my other training has gone well for the last 36 days, having only had Sundays off.

I'm in a good frame of mind generally though, having just cracked the 40min - 10km mark & I've chosen a flat course to break my duck on. I'm mainly hoping that it doesn't get to hot on the day as we've been anywhere from 22ºc to 41ºc over the last few weeks.

I've managed to convince another running mate to do this as well for his 1st, so I hope to have familiar company for some of the distance, which may help nerves on the day.

Just three more training days then I'm having Fri' & Sat' off to store some energy & hopefully prevent any last minute injury etc.

I'll let you know how I fair.......

DrV

[icandoanything]

Dr1Villar, on Nov 30 2009, 02:01 PM, said:

Hi folks,

I'm 41 & have been running since 21/6/09 with a couple lengthy breaks off for one reason or other.

Well it's time for me to find out..... I've got my 1st HM at the end of this week on Sun 06/12 & starting to feel a little apprehensive about it now.

I'm a little undercooked as far as longer runs go near HM distance, though my other training has gone well for the last 36 days, having only had Sundays off.

I'm in a good frame of mind generally though, having just cracked the 40min - 10km mark & I've chosen a flat course to break my duck on. I'm mainly hoping that it doesn't get to hot on the day as we've been anywhere from 22ºc to 41ºc over the last few weeks.

I've managed to convince another running mate to do this as well for his 1st, so I hope to have familiar company for some of the distance, which may help nerves on the day.

Just three more training days then I'm having Fri' & Sat' off to store some energy & hopefully prevent any last minute injury etc.

I'll let you know how I fair.......

DrV

Hi there, I am 52 years old, and have been back running for the past three years. After completing 4 10km races, pb being 60mins, I decided to have a go at the HM. Trained about 6 days a week, running up to 50k per week. My goal was to complete the half in under 2.5hrs and to feel great after it. I finished in 2hrs 26 mins. and felt fantastic, could have run another 10k. Felt good over the following days. Keen to do some more HM, but not until next year, as I live in sunny Qld. Starting to run at 50years young, I am fitter than I have ever been. Good luck for your HM

[Dr1Villar]

Hi Icandoanything,
Good luck with your ventures!!
I certainly hope I'm still doing this at 52 I'm with a group called Terrigal Trotters (since August) here on the Central Coast NSW & they've got runners/walkers from primary school age right through to 80's plus. All there with one common purpose to meet on Saturday mornings & enjoy being healthy!! It's great feeling fit & able to do these things. Like you I've never been fitter than I am now. Though the body likes to throw in it's share of complaints that I choose to try & ignore : LOL :
Thx for your wishes

DrV

[Ponyface]

Hello Ican... I'm also 52 and completed my first half-marathon this year, in 2:06, which I was pleased with. I had an injury-plagued year, including some knee surgery and continuing problems so I was a bit undercooked, but determined to do it. Hope you can recharge your batteries over summer - have you any thoughts of a longer distance in 2010??

[Dr1Villar]

Well folks, not long now!! 7am tomorrow & I'll be off running.....

Getting lots of butterflies now, so I hope I can sleep tonight. The weather should be perfect early & it looks like there'll be a pretty good turn out

Time to have some pasta & then distract myself.

DrV

[Dr1Villar]

Hi guys,

Well it's done & dusted, & I'm thrilled with 89min 21sec.

It is a basically flat half course (why I chose it as a 1st), so I'm aware the time will probably be considerably different with some hills, but I'm still happy. It was pretty warm (mainly humidity) by half way which knocked a few about a bit I think.

Not sure of exactly where it put me in the field & age bracket, but I'm looking forward to finding out.

From the 14km mark I started to feel it, then I really struggled from the 17-20km marks both physically & mentally!! I managed to keep myself going & lifted the effort for the final 1km+

Afterwards it took me about 10 min to start feeling human again, & about 20min later the legs really stiffened up. They've pulled up ok today, a little stiff but not painful or unbearable.

Good luck to the next in line, keep the training up!!!

DrV

[bennie]

Hiya Dr1Villar,

Apologise for not responding to this sooner :-( Please forgive! :-)

Mate... that's truly is a FANTASTIC result for your first ever 1/2! 89 minutes and 21 seconds! (1 hour 29) wow!!!! You must have had some pretty impressive fitness behind you already to get this time result! My own first 1/2 was 1:53:53 and that killed me! :-)

Sounds like you were really hoping along... It appears from what i've read that the 17th kilometre mark tends to catch a few people!

I know what you mean by it taking awhile to feel human! lol! i was shaking a fair bit and had the stumbles for at least 10-20 minutes! I was quite tired but managed to feel very elated at the same time!!!!

I managed to find my wife and kids in the crowd and they were so excited for more! Lots of hugs and kisses are around! :-)

So what's the plans for the coming 12 months? More 1/2's or planning a marathon???

I'm definitely getting into the training now myself and really developing a program that i'm enjoying!

Take care and again sorry for the delay in responding! but WELL DONE!!!! Whooaa!!! :-)

cheers.
bennie

[Dr1Villar]

bennie, on Dec 17 2009, 02:45 PM, said:

Hiya Dr1Villar,

Apologise for not responding to this sooner :-( Please forgive! :-)

Mate... that's truly is a FANTASTIC result for your first ever 1/2! 89 minutes and 21 seconds! (1 hour 29) wow!!!! You must have had some pretty impressive fitness behind you already to get this time result! My own first 1/2 was 1:53:53 and that killed me! :-)

Sounds like you were really hoping along... It appears from what i've read that the 17th kilometre mark tends to catch a few people!

I know what you mean by it taking awhile to feel human! lol! i was shaking a fair bit and had the stumbles for at least 10-20 minutes! I was quite tired but managed to feel very elated at the same time!!!!

I managed to find my wife and kids in the crowd and they were so excited for more! Lots of hugs and kisses are around! :-)

So what's the plans for the coming 12 months? More 1/2's or planning a marathon???

I'm definitely getting into the training now myself and really developing a program that i'm enjoying!

Take care and again sorry for the delay in responding! but WELL DONE!!!! Whooaa!!! :-)

cheers.
bennie

Hi Bennie,

Np with delayed responses, you did that's what counts Thank you very much & for the compliment.

I do do a fair bit of exercise, with a bit of cycling, swimming, weights & running building to get the legs use to this. I wasn't well enough prepared for the distance, so it really came down to stubborn determination the from that 17km mark. The old I can just walk, slow down (which happens kinda naturally anyhoo) or even stop, thoughts definitely entered the head.

My biggest problem afterwards wasn't the sore legs etc you expect (they were just norm levels of such by the next day), but I managed to get a huge hemorrhoid due to the exertion which set me back a few days in training afterward However others have told me they have had the same thing happen, so not as unusual as I 1st thought.

I'm not really sure about the year ahead. Though my running companions from a group I joined a few months ago are plotting one out for me it seems. One wants me to get down to 35's for the 10 km, another wants me to shave more time off the 1/2 (naturally), someone also suggested I'd do a marathon & qualify for the GNW whilst at it. ALL getting WAY ahead of me as I've only been doing this since 21/06/09.

My next endeavour is a Round The Bay run on the 3/1/10, but at a very easy pace just to get the lower half of my body used to such things, not as a race just experience.

There's a Newcastle Hill To Harbour Half Marathon on 5th April 2010--Easter Monday which I'm considering (will definitely be slower allowing for hills) & if I can qualify for a better started staggered group in the City to Surf in Sydney that too.

Of course I'll look to redo the Bay to Bay here in June (which started all this) & the 1/2 I just did.

So looking to increase my distances so the 1/2 doesn't seem as punishing, but I'm not so sure about full Marathons.

How about you, what have you got planned once your program is fully established??

Any more races??

DrV

[Isthisnametaken]

I have more or less stuck to my training over the festive period and this weekend I have a 21k training run. Will be interesting to see how I go as I have never ran that far.

On track for the HM in Orange on March 7.

Also Dr1Villar, that is an awesome time. I have 3 goals in the Orange HM:

1. to finish it
2. to get under 2 hours
3. to live through it and it not put me off training for others