The Running Thread Vol 2

[Venisonpie]

Only the once about 3 months ago, it seemed fine but I realise it's a risk only having done it once.

[KTF]

If your aim is just to get round then you should be fine as you know you have done 11 and on the day you always find a bit extra.

My half times are sub-90 so I realise the training is different if you are planning to finish a bit further back. Its then more about endurance than pace as you will be on your legs for longer.

[Venisonpie]

Yeah I'm reasonably confident, when I did 11 miles it was an hour and forty five mins so I've got the stamina. I also walk big distances over hills so I can pace myself ok, the big risk is injury along the way- as we get older bodies aren't quite as forgiving.

[smn159]

Venisonpie said:

I'm running my first half marathon on Sunday, start time is 10.10. Any advice on what to eat between now and then? I've throttled back my training and will now rest for two days but diet is likely to be just as important.
I'm not aiming for a time other than to get round without getting collected by the broom wagon.

I hydrate well the day before / morning of the race and maybe have a gel at half distance. I've tried grabbing cups of water at the water stations but usually end up spilling most of it over myself and choking on the small amount that I do manage to get down so now I tend not to bother.

[KTF]

I run with my own water belt and a few gels or bars. That way I can have a drink when I like and its out of a sports cap rather than plastic cups.

If you do want to drink out of a cup on the move, then pinching the top to make more of a 'V' shape like a spout makes it a lot easier to pour in the general direction of your mouth.

[feef]

KTF said:

I run with my own water belt and a few gels or bars. That way I can have a drink when I like and its out of a sports cap rather than plastic cups.

If you do want to drink out of a cup on the move, then pinching the top to make more of a 'V' shape like a spout makes it a lot easier to pour in the general direction of your mouth.

I've got a half booked for November, and was wondering whether to use my vest and carry my own water or use the watering stations. I'm more inclined to take my own stuff simply from the point of view that I like being self sufficient in a twisted way

[johnwilliams77]

feef said:

I've got a half booked for November, and was wondering whether to use my vest and carry my own water or use the watering stations. I'm more inclined to take my own stuff simply from the point of view that I like being self sufficient in a twisted way

I don't drink much on a half so just grab a bottle on the way and take a gel with it. Depends how much water you think you need.

[Scabutz]

feef said:

KTF said:

I run with my own water belt and a few gels or bars. That way I can have a drink when I like and its out of a sports cap rather than plastic cups.

If you do want to drink out of a cup on the move, then pinching the top to make more of a 'V' shape like a spout makes it a lot easier to pour in the general direction of your mouth.

I've got a half booked for November, and was wondering whether to use my vest and carry my own water or use the watering stations. I'm more inclined to take my own stuff simply from the point of view that I like being self sufficient in a twisted way

Often depends on the organisation of the race. Smaller races sometimes can be a bit hit and miss with aid stations, they say they will have gel or carb drink but when you get there nothing. The bigger races generally are better.

If you are going to use on course stuff then try it before race day. Never had a problem myself but some people get stomach upsets from different gels/drinks. For a half marathon I will probably only use 3 gels, one just before the off and two on the go so usually just carry my own.

[KTF]

feef said:

I've got a half booked for November, and was wondering whether to use my vest and carry my own water or use the watering stations. I'm more inclined to take my own stuff simply from the point of view that I like being self sufficient in a twisted way

Personal preference really. If you have trained with it and prefer to have a drink at X miles (or whatever) versus whenever the aid station is on the run then go with what suits you best.

For me its more habit than anything as you should be able to survive a half with what is on offer by the organisers.

[Venisonpie]

13hrs until my first half marathon, had a couple of bacon rolls for breakfast, a cheese salad roll for lunch and then venison liver/ bacon with mash and peas this evening followed by a snickers.
Salmon with scrambled eggs for breakfast tomorrow, 715 and a snickers before the start at 1010.
Hopefully should do the trick.

[Mothersruin]

Venisonpie said:

13hrs until my first half marathon, had a couple of bacon rolls for breakfast, a cheese salad roll for lunch and then venison liver/ bacon with mash and peas this evening followed by a snickers.
Salmon with scrambled eggs for breakfast tomorrow, 715 and a snickers before the start at 1010.
Hopefully should do the trick.

Best of luck, take it easy and enjoy the experience.

[The jiffle king]

Enjoy the half and if it's Windsor half then I'll be on the same start line in the brightest top with a peach on it!!
Not really trained properly but going to give it everything

[Venisonpie]

Thanks, here goes!

[Smitters]

Are you dead? Or was it great? Hopefully the latter...

[Venisonpie]

Still alive!
Finished in 2hrs 24 mins so 11 minute miles, nothing to write home about but I didn't stop or walk so happy (1939th out of over 3000 runners).
Thoughts are; noisy crowds at the beginning are strangely unhelpful as they tempt you to go faster than you want, managed not to do that and stick to a slow pace.
First three miles were a bit frustrating trying to keep the pace slow but once over that I upped to my normal pace and was much happier.
The hill at nine miles wasn't a problem, just ran straight up.
Water stations every three miles are not enough on a warm day.
Was trotting along nicely all the way to mile 12 and then started to get really tired legs, this was when the crowd really helped. Finished strongly in the end.
Can't remember much about it, this was my home town and yet I can't remember a lot of what happened.

Thanks for the support/ advice on here, really appreciated it.

[dieselgrunt]

Respectable time, well done.
You’ll find it addictive. I’ve done 4x 1/2 marathons this year and want to do more. Makes the training worthwhile when you have a goal to work to.

[The jiffle king]

Well done Venisonpie, it's good to get round the first one and well done on a warm day

I had a good run at Windsor half and beat my target time by just over a minute. Also came 1st V40 so looking forward to a prize. Legs are battered now

[Smitters]

Nicely done. Good luck with any stairs you may have to negotiate tomorrow.

[Mothersruin]

2:12 for my first trail half.

Better than expected tbh.

Well done Venisonpie & TJK - excellent efforts.

I too felt the warmth today. Running in forests mean that while there's shade, there's very little breeze. I felt hot all the way round.

[RC1807]

Took part in the largest group run (for me) beyond ParkRun, last Thursday - the Luxembourg Business Run. There were 3,000 runner in total, 200 from my company (!!), and over a distance of 5.5km. Their measurements were WAY out if it was meant to be 5km
I was surprised that, given you could start in groups more linked to your overall expected finish time, I was passed byt many and passed many in the 1st 2km...Winner finished in 17m01!
I was a little way behind in 30:57
Oh, well.

I've now entered myself the Luxembourg ING Night Marathan on 12/5/18. That'll be my 1st half-marathon.