The Hope I Don't Die Half Marathon Training Thread

[Avon Barksdale]

Thanks to the farting cat for the inspiration for this thread which will be useful in keeping me accountable and for any other beginner runners who are interested in doing a half marathon.

Race: Brighton Half Marathon
Race Day: 24/2/2019
Weeks to race: 26
Present fitness: Shite. No proper exercise in 18 months. Very little aerobic base. I'm essentially back to being a beginner physically.
Previous running experience: 5ks, 10ks, 10 milers, half marathons
Present diet: Shite. Way too much booze, snacking, take-aways and eating out (although evening meals during the week are generally good as the OH cooks from scratch. Not much of a breakfast eater so ordinarily a smoothie or coffee. Don't judge me)
Goal: to get round the half marathon and not die. A time under 2:10h would be great, under 2:00h even better
Training plan: 10k trainer app (a Couch - 10k programme consisting of walk-run intervals) for 14 weeks, followed by a dedicated 12 week half marathon plan (to be decided depending on fitness at the end of the initial 16 week phase.) Currently on the 2nd week of the 10k programme (5 minute warm up, 6 intervals of 1.5 minutes runs / 2 minute walks followed by 5 minute cool down.) 3 training sessions per week. Difficult but doable.
Eating plan: nothing major for 14 weeks other than reducing the amount of booze and nutrient poor / highly calorific choices and replacing it with better choices. To re-assess at the end of 14 weeks.

I'll update this thread as time goes on.

[Avon Barksdale]

Also, forgot to add: male, early 40s.

[banana chewits]

keep going, avon!

[Avon Barksdale]

:yess: keep going, avon!

That's the idea!

[Avon Barksdale]

So, I completed Week 2 of the training programme on Sunday and have moved on to Week 3 (first run tonight. Ain't no way I was going to do it on Bank Holiday Monday.)

Week 2 was perfectly doable. 6 intervals of 1.5 minutes running followed by 2 minutes walking was challenging but I didn't come close to thinking I couldn't complete the sessions.

My calves ache a bit and I feel more tired than usual. I've also had a bit of nausea but that's probably due to not drinking enough water and a (still) crap diet. Other than that all good in the hood.

My diet definitely needs work as I ate out / had takeaways a lot last week but that was partly due to family celebrations / the Bank Holiday weekend. I've decided to reduce evening drinking to one or none on days I don't go out and add few more tweaks as the week goes on depending on how I feel.

I'm looking forward to seeing how things go even if I do fall flat on my face!

[Avon Barksdale]

Did the second run of Week 3 yesterday night.

The intervals have changed to 90 seconds walking / 90 seconds running followed by 3 minutes running / 3 minutes walking x 2

Felt good and some of my fitness seems to be re-emerging but still very early days. I have to avoid the temptation to go off programme and add in more running (to avoid injury. My mind is trying to write cheques my body can't cash at the moment.)

Still have a little nausea the day after but that's probably just my body still adapting to the exercise.

Going out for drinks and dinner tonight but will try to keep the carnage to a minimum.

Onwards.

[jra]

Just take it easy. It's the taking part that counts, not the winning as the expression goes.

[Avon Barksdale]

Just take it easy. It's the taking part that counts, not the winning as the expression goes.

Good advice and you're right. Unfortunately pushing the envelope is is my nature!

I am trying to be sensible though as I'm not as young as I used to be...

[Avon Barksdale]

So completed Week 3 yesterday night and the running is progressing well. Week 4 steps up the pace though and includes some 5 minute runs which should still be manageable however.

Calves are still slightly sore and my hip flexors are making themselves known but nothing major on that front.

Diet is still proving to be a disaster zone however. I was meant to go out for drinks AND dinner on Friday night but it turned into one big session which may have ended with a visit to a dodgy chicken shop at the end of the night. Saturday I had some corporate hospitality tickets for the Chelsea game so queue a 5 course meal, more booze and a mountain of cheese and biscuits. Sunday was gorgeous weather wise which resulted in ice creams and a family BBQ. All great fun but let's just say I'm not at my leanest at the moment!

Plan for the week is to make sensible choices and limit the booze until Saturday when I have tickets for the cricket which will be one long day drinking. Then back to regularly scheduled programming.

[jra]

Just take it easy. It's the taking part that counts, not the winning as the expression goes.

Good advice and you're right. Unfortunately pushing the envelope is is my nature!

I am trying to be sensible though as I'm not as young as I used to be...

Just know your limits as you get older.

[Niv]

So completed Week 3 yesterday night and the running is progressing well. Week 4 steps up the pace though and includes some 5 minute runs which should still be manageable however.

Calves are still slightly sore and my hip flexors are making themselves known but nothing major on that front.

Diet is still proving to be a disaster zone however. I was meant to go out for drinks AND dinner on Friday night but it turned into one big session which may have ended with a visit to a dodgy chicken shop at the end of the night. Saturday I had some corporate hospitality tickets for the Chelsea game so queue a 5 course meal, more booze and a mountain of cheese and biscuits. Sunday was gorgeous weather wise which resulted in ice creams and a family BBQ. All great fun but let's just say I'm not at my leanest at the moment!

Plan for the week is to make sensible choices and limit the booze until Saturday when I have tickets for the cricket which will be one long day drinking. Then back to regularly scheduled programming.

Great thread this, looks like you're doing great!

It's difficult trying to combine a social life alongside training programme isn't it? Especially if you have a strong social network. It is a pain to have to keep watching what you eat, or engaging in a session. Winter might prove to be easier, people tend to hibernate and socialise
less.

Thing is then you'll be out pounding the streets, and they'll be vegging. It'll pay off though by next Summer you'll be buff, and they'll look like blobs. You can look dead smug then. Keep going you're doing fantastic!

[Avon Barksdale]

So completed Week 3 yesterday night and the running is progressing well. Week 4 steps up the pace though and includes some 5 minute runs which should still be manageable however.

Calves are still slightly sore and my hip flexors are making themselves known but nothing major on that front.

Diet is still proving to be a disaster zone however. I was meant to go out for drinks AND dinner on Friday night but it turned into one big session which may have ended with a visit to a dodgy chicken shop at the end of the night. Saturday I had some corporate hospitality tickets for the Chelsea game so queue a 5 course meal, more booze and a mountain of cheese and biscuits. Sunday was gorgeous weather wise which resulted in ice creams and a family BBQ. All great fun but let's just say I'm not at my leanest at the moment!

Plan for the week is to make sensible choices and limit the booze until Saturday when I have tickets for the cricket which will be one long day drinking. Then back to regularly scheduled programming.

Great thread this, looks like you're doing great!

It's difficult trying to combine a social life alongside training programme isn't it? Especially if you have a strong social network. It is a pain to have to keep watching what you eat, or engaging in a session. Winter might prove to be easier, people tend to hibernate and socialise
less.

Thing is then you'll be out pounding the streets, and they'll be vegging. It'll pay off though by next Summer you'll be buff, and they'll look like blobs. You can look dead smug then. Keep going you're doing fantastic!

Thanks, that's really kind of you random new Dogs member.

Yes, socialising makes following a training plan difficult especially when the weather is nice. I think you are definitely right about it being easier in the winter but then it's "should I stay in the nice warm indoors and put my feet up with some hot chocolate or go outside and freeze..."

Fundamentally it boils down to priorities and I want to complete the half in style. I'll just have to suck it up I guess!

[Niv]

So completed Week 3 yesterday night and the running is progressing well. Week 4 steps up the pace though and includes some 5 minute runs which should still be manageable however.

Calves are still slightly sore and my hip flexors are making themselves known but nothing major on that front.

Diet is still proving to be a disaster zone however. I was meant to go out for drinks AND dinner on Friday night but it turned into one big session which may have ended with a visit to a dodgy chicken shop at the end of the night. Saturday I had some corporate hospitality tickets for the Chelsea game so queue a 5 course meal, more booze and a mountain of cheese and biscuits. Sunday was gorgeous weather wise which resulted in ice creams and a family BBQ. All great fun but let's just say I'm not at my leanest at the moment!

Plan for the week is to make sensible choices and limit the booze until Saturday when I have tickets for the cricket which will be one long day drinking. Then back to regularly scheduled programming.

Great thread this, looks like you're doing great!

It's difficult trying to combine a social life alongside training programme isn't it? Especially if you have a strong social network. It is a pain to have to keep watching what you eat, or engaging in a session. Winter might prove to be easier, people tend to hibernate and socialise
less.

Thing is then you'll be out pounding the streets, and they'll be vegging. It'll pay off though by next Summer you'll be buff, and they'll look like blobs. You can look dead smug then. Keep going you're doing fantastic!

Thanks, that's really kind of you random new Dogs member.

Yes, socialising makes following a training plan difficult especially when the weather is nice. I think you are definitely right about it being easier in the winter but then it's "should I stay in the nice warm indoors and put my feet up with some hot chocolate or go outside and freeze..."

Fundamentally it boils down to priorities and I want to complete the half in style. I'll just have to suck it up I guess!

You're welcome

Yep, it's tempting to want to snuggle up and not brave the elements in the Winter. You can't beat a cold, crisp morning run though (I hear you chuntering "Yeah right")

You're right about the priorities, another tip for staying focused is tell all and sundry. They'll have no qualms keeping you on track. The reminders of "Should you really be eating that?" Work a treat

[Meg]

My husband started the c25k about 6 months ago, went through that and has just completed the c210k. He is similar to you in age and fitness and is now really enjoying running!

As for diet, have you tried lowering your 'crappy carb' intake - white bread, rice, sugary drinks, etc. (or even going full lowcarb). You can still have wine and raid the chicken shop

[Nucks]

Well done, mate.

I do a lot of walking mainly due to not having a car , but I’ve never been a runner. Always had big legs so it felt too cumbersome. I know walking won’t shift any weight for me but it’s good for cardiovascular health.