New runner and half marathon questions (food&training)
Discussion
I thought I should update this thread!
It's been a real mental battle to break the 10 mile barrier. It's taken me the last 3 weeks, having done a comfortable 8.5 mile run 4 weeks ago, but today I did it! I managed 10.52 miles which im pretty happy with. I could have done more, but at mile 7 the flash flooding of Scarborough occurred, and guess where I live? I plodded on regardless however! Did a 55minute 10k too which I'm quite happy with.
Ive been experimenting with gels, I take one with me and have one before which is probably a placebo, but I'll stick with it. The biggest thing I've noticed is getting another gate analysis and getting some support shoes, they've taken my minute miles down about 10-20 seconds!
Not long now, but despite having a few niggles I'm confident!
It's been a real mental battle to break the 10 mile barrier. It's taken me the last 3 weeks, having done a comfortable 8.5 mile run 4 weeks ago, but today I did it! I managed 10.52 miles which im pretty happy with. I could have done more, but at mile 7 the flash flooding of Scarborough occurred, and guess where I live? I plodded on regardless however! Did a 55minute 10k too which I'm quite happy with.
Ive been experimenting with gels, I take one with me and have one before which is probably a placebo, but I'll stick with it. The biggest thing I've noticed is getting another gate analysis and getting some support shoes, they've taken my minute miles down about 10-20 seconds!
Not long now, but despite having a few niggles I'm confident!
Blood glycogen levels aren't depleted until at least 40/50 minutes of running has elapsed, given you've eaten reasonably the day before. Don't carbo-load, it isn't worth it if you need the toilet before the race. If you feel the need for a bit more energy stick some blackcurrant energy rubbish in your camel. Seems to me you're doing very well - under 60 mins for 10k is a terrific time.
ADogg said:
I thought I should update this thread!
It's been a real mental battle to break the 10 mile barrier. It's taken me the last 3 weeks, having done a comfortable 8.5 mile run 4 weeks ago, but today I did it! I managed 10.52 miles which im pretty happy with. I could have done more, but at mile 7 the flash flooding of Scarborough occurred, and guess where I live? I plodded on regardless however! Did a 55minute 10k too which I'm quite happy with.
Ive been experimenting with gels, I take one with me and have one before which is probably a placebo, but I'll stick with it. The biggest thing I've noticed is getting another gate analysis and getting some support shoes, they've taken my minute miles down about 10-20 seconds!
Not long now, but despite having a few niggles I'm confident!
Well done It's been a real mental battle to break the 10 mile barrier. It's taken me the last 3 weeks, having done a comfortable 8.5 mile run 4 weeks ago, but today I did it! I managed 10.52 miles which im pretty happy with. I could have done more, but at mile 7 the flash flooding of Scarborough occurred, and guess where I live? I plodded on regardless however! Did a 55minute 10k too which I'm quite happy with.
Ive been experimenting with gels, I take one with me and have one before which is probably a placebo, but I'll stick with it. The biggest thing I've noticed is getting another gate analysis and getting some support shoes, they've taken my minute miles down about 10-20 seconds!
Not long now, but despite having a few niggles I'm confident!
If your getting on fine with the gel routine then stick to it , don't tinker with anything this close to the race.
Mileage wise i'd do 10 miles this weekend , 10 the weekend after then it's the race weekend i think ?
In the week maybe do a 5 mile run tues/weds then possibly 3 miles on a weds depending how you feel or cross train ?
And stretch , look on youtube for levi d foam rolling and 8 min post run yoga then just copy them .
You want tried and true at this point in time. Close to a race is not the time to be changing race fueling strategy.
A sub 60 10k is a solid time to be working with. Was this on a solo run?
I'm cranky at the moment. Bad broken toe. Ran 2 weekends ago for a 14k race. Shouldn't have done it. Struggled to get in sub 1hr40. It was hilly but I should have just rested up.
A sub 60 10k is a solid time to be working with. Was this on a solo run?
I'm cranky at the moment. Bad broken toe. Ran 2 weekends ago for a 14k race. Shouldn't have done it. Struggled to get in sub 1hr40. It was hilly but I should have just rested up.
Colonial said:
You want tried and true at this point in time. Close to a race is not the time to be changing race fueling strategy.
he's got 2 weeks before a race with 50.000 other people, it's not Olympic time trials he'll be fine whatever he takes!Colonial said:
A sub 60 10k is a solid time to be working with. Was this on a solo run?
I'm cranky at the moment. Bad broken toe.
And you still ran...I'm cranky at the moment. Bad broken toe.
OP just have fun and enjoy the experience, you'll learn from it.
The North Run is not a good event to be going for a good time in, too many idiots who start way, way ahead of their real finish time who are walking after a mile. Its generally too busy.
Im local and i hate the event, too expensive for what it is! Far nicer half marathons can be entered for 1/3 of the price.
I did it a couple of times 15 years ago and wouldn't bother again.
Ahh anyway back to fuelling, for a half I would probably not bother with anything if it was a steady run but for a race maybe a gel at about 7 miles and one about 10 miles. I would only use gels my stomach is used to though.
I trained for a an iron distance tri using high 5 gels 90% of the time, come the run and I'm using the supplied gels. Powerbar ones which i really don't like, the wrenching my guts up on the last lap of the marathon after trying to eat a gel probably cost me going under 13 hours.
Im local and i hate the event, too expensive for what it is! Far nicer half marathons can be entered for 1/3 of the price.
I did it a couple of times 15 years ago and wouldn't bother again.
Ahh anyway back to fuelling, for a half I would probably not bother with anything if it was a steady run but for a race maybe a gel at about 7 miles and one about 10 miles. I would only use gels my stomach is used to though.
I trained for a an iron distance tri using high 5 gels 90% of the time, come the run and I'm using the supplied gels. Powerbar ones which i really don't like, the wrenching my guts up on the last lap of the marathon after trying to eat a gel probably cost me going under 13 hours.
The 55min 10k was on my 10.5 mile run, which I averaged 9.39 minute miles.
This was my pace:
7 miles on was when I was running in this, not being able to suss out what was under my feet!
So I'm intrigued what could have been if the weather held up! Glad I carried on though, I've never run that distance before and "only" started in January. I've lost about 2 stone in the process too although at 6ft1 and 15.5st I'm still no Gazelle!
This was my pace:
7 miles on was when I was running in this, not being able to suss out what was under my feet!
So I'm intrigued what could have been if the weather held up! Glad I carried on though, I've never run that distance before and "only" started in January. I've lost about 2 stone in the process too although at 6ft1 and 15.5st I'm still no Gazelle!
Being well hydrated in the days prior to the race will help - I try and drink as much water as I can, well in advance.
On the day taking water at the stations seems to help too.
I used to have a couple of gels per race but found the hydration worked far better and found I did not need the gels at all.
On the day taking water at the stations seems to help too.
I used to have a couple of gels per race but found the hydration worked far better and found I did not need the gels at all.
I found jelly babies good for a mid-race "gel". Easier to stomach (and cheaper) than the fancy gels. You're just after the sugar anyway so why complicate it? Carrying them in a ziplock prevents them getting soggy too (mine survived a lake swim in a trail race).
Lightweight camelback is much easier for me than bottle or such for water. In a race I would usually rely on stations unless it was a big one with few stations.
Lightweight camelback is much easier for me than bottle or such for water. In a race I would usually rely on stations unless it was a big one with few stations.
Flibble said:
I found jelly babies good for a mid-race "gel". Easier to stomach (and cheaper) than the fancy gels. You're just after the sugar anyway so why complicate it? Carrying them in a ziplock prevents them getting soggy too (mine survived a lake swim in a trail race).
Lightweight camelback is much easier for me than bottle or such for water. In a race I would usually rely on stations unless it was a big one with few stations.
I've always found it easier carrying a small camelback for a half marathon otherwise you loose time grabbing a bottle of drink from the feed stations , taking the lid off .Lightweight camelback is much easier for me than bottle or such for water. In a race I would usually rely on stations unless it was a big one with few stations.
Camelback you just sip constantly no need to stop or adjust your speed and a small camelback weighs f
k all anyway .Well I did it! I finished 22443rd out of a reported 57000 which is cool - I did it in a shade under 2 hours 17.
I think I did myself an injustice by starting at the back (the start was 10:40, I was that far back I went through at 11:25!) so I spent a LOT of time being held up by walkers or running around people, but you live an learn! When I signed up in January I had no clue how quickly I could do it so ticked the slowest box, ahh well!
My team and I raised £2,500 and counting which I'm dead chuffed about.
I couldn't believe how congested it was for the whole way, it was bonkers. I managed to do it without stopping too which was nice...
Despite yesterday saying never again I'm now thinking one more time, but a less congested run and aim to do sub 2 hours, I think I've got it in me!
I think I did myself an injustice by starting at the back (the start was 10:40, I was that far back I went through at 11:25!) so I spent a LOT of time being held up by walkers or running around people, but you live an learn! When I signed up in January I had no clue how quickly I could do it so ticked the slowest box, ahh well!
My team and I raised £2,500 and counting which I'm dead chuffed about.
I couldn't believe how congested it was for the whole way, it was bonkers. I managed to do it without stopping too which was nice...
Despite yesterday saying never again I'm now thinking one more time, but a less congested run and aim to do sub 2 hours, I think I've got it in me!
ADogg said:
Despite yesterday saying never again I'm now thinking one more time, but a less congested run and aim to do sub 2 hours, I think I've got it in me!
I'll bet you have. Kudos for doing the run and raising cash for charity. As an aside I must have run 25-30 halfs over 10 years - never any busy ones as I couldn't bear the idea. Generally local-ish club events. Some of the other runners I've met did the big 'fun' runs (disparaging!), but were always considerably quicker on the quiet ones.ADogg said:
Well I did it! I finished 22443rd out of a reported 57000 which is cool - I did it in a shade under 2 hours 17.
I think I did myself an injustice by starting at the back (the start was 10:40, I was that far back I went through at 11:25!) so I spent a LOT of time being held up by walkers or running around people, but you live an learn! When I signed up in January I had no clue how quickly I could do it so ticked the slowest box, ahh well!
My team and I raised £2,500 and counting which I'm dead chuffed about.
I couldn't believe how congested it was for the whole way, it was bonkers. I managed to do it without stopping too which was nice...
Despite yesterday saying never again I'm now thinking one more time, but a less congested run and aim to do sub 2 hours, I think I've got it in me!
Not bad for a first effort. Well done.I think I did myself an injustice by starting at the back (the start was 10:40, I was that far back I went through at 11:25!) so I spent a LOT of time being held up by walkers or running around people, but you live an learn! When I signed up in January I had no clue how quickly I could do it so ticked the slowest box, ahh well!
My team and I raised £2,500 and counting which I'm dead chuffed about.
I couldn't believe how congested it was for the whole way, it was bonkers. I managed to do it without stopping too which was nice...
Despite yesterday saying never again I'm now thinking one more time, but a less congested run and aim to do sub 2 hours, I think I've got it in me!
The crowds and the rip off entry fee are reasons i won't do it again.
There won't have been anywhere near 57000 in the race, they have that many entries but generally about 10000 don't bother to turn up. I could have had a dozen numbers off people in the week leading up to the race!
(just checked 43053 finishers, a long way off 57000!)
Well done mate! First half is a massive achievement, especially as a complete beginner too.
My sixth time this year, also my slowest by far as I paced my 67 year old dad round for his first half.
Usually I get a B or C pen start and don't encounter so much congestion so I always say 'it's not that bad'.
Well this year I dropped back to zone I to start with my Dad.... I know why everyone complains now!!!
I love the event though, and although I've done flatter and quieter halfs I still have my PB there (from back in 2013 - I need to get training properly again!!!).
My sixth time this year, also my slowest by far as I paced my 67 year old dad round for his first half.
Usually I get a B or C pen start and don't encounter so much congestion so I always say 'it's not that bad'.
Well this year I dropped back to zone I to start with my Dad.... I know why everyone complains now!!!
I love the event though, and although I've done flatter and quieter halfs I still have my PB there (from back in 2013 - I need to get training properly again!!!).
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff