Bluefoxtim Posted 19 February 2009 Posted 19 February 2009 Anyone else 'competing' in September? My brother, two auntie's and my sister's fiance all got in through the general ballot, I didn't! I have been really looking forward to it though, so had a look at the charity places. It has all worked out quite nicely actually, I am now running for 'Epilepsy Action' (my mum has the condition) and I'm hoping to raise about £300. Once (if) I get round alright, it will be nice to know I will have helped people out and I guess it gives me a bit more of an incentive. Making me feel quite good about myself really, even signed up to the organ donors register earlier This is most obviously not a plea for donations, but whilst I'm here I may as well tell you about this great website... Donation's Welcome! Need to get some accommodation sorted out, no doubt places will be filling up quickly! This will be my first running event, so does anybody have any tips?
James. Posted 20 February 2009 Posted 20 February 2009 I ran my first half marathon last September, here's some tips: 1. Drink plenty of water before, during and after running. Drink isotonic drinks if running for longer than an hour. 2. Eat something about 15 minutes before running. I used to have a round of toast or a banana. It made a difference. 3. Run outside. Lots. Try not to train solely on a treadmill. Don't worry too much about weights and other cardio. Running is the best training! 4. Do shorter, more varied runs in the week (try interval training, hill training, etc). Do a long run at the weekend. 5. Buy a Garmin watch so you can monitor your speed, distance and time while running outside. 6. Buy some good running shoes. Go to a proper running shop and try them out. They will monitor your running style and give you appropriate trainers. 7. Enjoy the training and the day, otherwise it'll be f**king horrible. Good luck!
andyh1884 Posted 20 February 2009 Posted 20 February 2009 Got an email the other day saying I'd not got a place in the general ballot but might still get one through the Alzheimer's Society who I've signed up with. Hope I do get in cos I've fancied doing this for a while. Currently training for the Equinox 14 at the end of March - Elkington to Peatling Magna. Can't really offer any more advice to what James has said except perhaps to make sure you go to the loo before going on a long run!
BoneDog Posted 20 February 2009 Posted 20 February 2009 I would like to compete but I think the fact that i drink 5 bottles of whisky a week might stop me reaching 4 miles. I used to be a cross country king til I was about 21. No more
Bluefoxtim Posted 20 February 2009 Author Posted 20 February 2009 Thanks for the tips. A decent pair of running shoes aren't cheap though!
Zingari Posted 20 February 2009 Posted 20 February 2009 i'll definately be competing oh sorry, i just rememberd , i've got an appointment at the dentist that day , what a bummer perhaps next year
Tommy G Posted 20 February 2009 Posted 20 February 2009 I ran my first half marathon last September, here's some tips:1. Drink plenty of water before, during and after running. Drink isotonic drinks if running for longer than an hour. 2. Eat something about 15 minutes before running. I used to have a round of toast or a banana. It made a difference. 3. Run outside. Lots. Try not to train solely on a treadmill. Don't worry too much about weights and other cardio. Running is the best training! 4. Do shorter, more varied runs in the week (try interval training, hill training, etc). Do a long run at the weekend. 5. Buy a Garmin watch so you can monitor your speed, distance and time while running outside. 6. Buy some good running shoes. Go to a proper running shop and try them out. They will monitor your running style and give you appropriate trainers. 7. Enjoy the training and the day, otherwise it'll be f**king horrible. Good luck! Some quite obvious advice there
James. Posted 20 February 2009 Posted 20 February 2009 Some quite obvious advice there Ahh Tommy... You're probably just looking for a reaction. If so then here you go: You chose to highlight "drink plenty of water". And yes if you take those words on their own that is obvious, but then if you read my sentence carefully you'll notice that I didn't just say that. I said to drink water before, during and after. Many people will just drink during, or just after. It's important to be hydrated ALL the time. Secondly, you highlighted "drink isotonic drinks". Again, you didn't read the sentence properly did you Tommy. Tut tut. I added that you should drink them if running for longer than one hour. This is when your body starts to require extra hydration and energy as the stores are becoming depleted. At the same time I was implying that it's generally not necessary to drink isotonic drinks if running for less than an hour. Thirdly you decided to highlight "run outside". The point that may have drifted slightly north of your head is that there is quite a difference between running on a treadmill and running outside. Given this is his first proper run it's important for his training to reflect the conditions he will be running in on the day itself. Solely training on a treadmill would not be adequate, in my opinion.
The Stig Posted 20 February 2009 Posted 20 February 2009 Ahh Tommy... You're probably just looking for a reaction. If so then here you go:You chose to highlight "drink plenty of water". And yes if you take those words on their own that is obvious, but then if you read my sentence carefully you'll notice that I didn't just say that. I said to drink water before, during and after. Many people will just drink during, or just after. It's important to be hydrated ALL the time. Secondly, you highlighted "drink isotonic drinks". Again, you didn't read the sentence properly did you Tommy. Tut tut. I added that you should drink them if running for longer than one hour. This is when your body starts to require extra hydration and energy as the stores are becoming depleted. At the same time I was implying that it's generally not necessary to drink isotonic drinks if running for less than an hour. Thirdly you decided to highlight "run outside". The point that may have drifted slightly north of your head is that there is quite a difference between running on a treadmill and running outside. Given this is his first proper run it's important for his training to reflect the conditions he will be running in on the day itself. Solely training on a treadmill would not be adequate, in my opinion. James I am getting in to running at the moment and found your advice very helpful.
Bluefoxtim Posted 20 February 2009 Author Posted 20 February 2009 James I am getting in to running at the moment and found your advice very helpful. Hear hear
Tommy G Posted 20 February 2009 Posted 20 February 2009 Ahh Tommy... You're probably just looking for a reaction. If so then here you go:You chose to highlight "drink plenty of water". And yes if you take those words on their own that is obvious, but then if you read my sentence carefully you'll notice that I didn't just say that. I said to drink water before, during and after. Many people will just drink during, or just after. It's important to be hydrated ALL the time. Secondly, you highlighted "drink isotonic drinks". Again, you didn't read the sentence properly did you Tommy. Tut tut. I added that you should drink them if running for longer than one hour. This is when your body starts to require extra hydration and energy as the stores are becoming depleted. At the same time I was implying that it's generally not necessary to drink isotonic drinks if running for less than an hour. Thirdly you decided to highlight "run outside". The point that may have drifted slightly north of your head is that there is quite a difference between running on a treadmill and running outside. Given this is his first proper run it's important for his training to reflect the conditions he will be running in on the day itself. Solely training on a treadmill would not be adequate, in my opinion. lol I was actually being serious, I meant some quite obvious points that most people don't think of. Could have saved yourself a lot of typing..
James. Posted 20 February 2009 Posted 20 February 2009 lolI was actually being serious, I meant some quite obvious points that most people don't think of. Could have saved yourself a lot of typing.. Not really, expanding on my original points helps give people a bit more detail... In any case I'm not an expert I've only done one half marathon! I'm sure there are others that can provide some less obvious advice.
Bluefoxtim Posted 20 February 2009 Author Posted 20 February 2009 have a hot vindaloo curry the night before Could stick a straw up your arse and then leave a trail for others to follow...
Stewarmy Posted 20 February 2009 Posted 20 February 2009 I'm running this year, it's my third one. You need to get somewhere to stay NOW!! I had real trouble even 9 months in advance for the last 2 years, luckily ended up staying with some friends of friends. Here's a tip, DONT run as Superman, I have the last 2 times and it is hard work. See below!! I have been running for BLISS the premature baby charity
Samu Posted 20 February 2009 Posted 20 February 2009 I ran my first half marathon last September, here's some tips:1. Drink plenty of water before, during and after running. Drink isotonic drinks if running for longer than an hour. 2. Eat something about 15 minutes before running. I used to have a round of toast or a banana. It made a difference. 3. Run outside. Lots. Try not to train solely on a treadmill. Don't worry too much about weights and other cardio. Running is the best training! 4. Do shorter, more varied runs in the week (try interval training, hill training, etc). Do a long run at the weekend. 5. Buy a Garmin watch so you can monitor your speed, distance and time while running outside. 6. Buy some good running shoes. Go to a proper running shop and try them out. They will monitor your running style and give you appropriate trainers. 7. Enjoy the training and the day, otherwise it'll be f**king horrible. Good luck! Thank you for the tips, they are really helpful. I did the Great Manchester Run in 2007 and 2008 and the Great Yorkshire Run in 2007 (all 10km) and was fine in all of those with minimal training before hand. I then attempted the Chicago Half Marathon in 2007 and although I trained much harder, I found I was horribly underprepared and really struggled with the race. It really made me realise just how much training and thought goes into the longer runs. You can get away with little training in the 10km fun runs, but like you said, once you run for over an hour it is a totally different story. I have yet to take part in another half marathon, but I would take particular notice of your comments about the right footwear. Buy some decent running socks as well as they can help reduce the blisters. A decent pair of shoes really made the difference for me though! Good luck!
Guest Posted 20 February 2009 Posted 20 February 2009 I'm doing the Leicester Half again, plus the Great Capital Run ( a mate of mine suggested doing it too, think it's 10K sometime in July). Still don't think I'm up to the full marathon, maybe next year
Bluefoxtim Posted 20 February 2009 Author Posted 20 February 2009 Thanks for all the advice. Will get looking at accommodation over the weekend. I have raised £90 in less than 24 hours
Monk Posted 25 February 2009 Posted 25 February 2009 This should go in the Running and Stuff thread! (James and) I have 5 weeks until the Reading half marathon now. Reached my fund raising target - thank you to all on here who donated it really is fantastic!! Training however has not been going so well. 2 knee injuries so far this year coupled with changing jobs and moving house have made training very difficult. I know I can cover the distance, but right now my time will be very slow - around 2:30 I think. I'd like to do it in close to 2 hours, so I starting to up my pace a little. I have 3 long runs left before race day so I will be doing 7, 9 and 11 miles on those days and speed training during the week. Have booked the Ibis in Reading the night before and the night of the race - though I don't intend to stay the second night, it just means I can chill for a few hours afterwards and get a later train home to avoid the other 20,000 people at Reading station. The Ibis is conveniently at mile 6 of the course and opposite a Wetherspoons. I think I'll be having several of their roasts after the race!
James. Posted 25 February 2009 Posted 25 February 2009 This should go in the Running and Stuff thread!(James and) I have 5 weeks until the Reading half marathon now. Reached my fund raising target - thank you to all on here who donated it really is fantastic!! Training however has not been going so well. 2 knee injuries so far this year coupled with changing jobs and moving house have made training very difficult. I know I can cover the distance, but right now my time will be very slow - around 2:30 I think. I'd like to do it in close to 2 hours, so I starting to up my pace a little. I have 3 long runs left before race day so I will be doing 7, 9 and 11 miles on those days and speed training during the week. Have booked the Ibis in Reading the night before and the night of the race - though I don't intend to stay the second night, it just means I can chill for a few hours afterwards and get a later train home to avoid the other 20,000 people at Reading station. The Ibis is conveniently at mile 6 of the course and opposite a Wetherspoons. I think I'll be having several of their roasts after the race! I'm struggling. Been going out too much. Drinking and smoking and very late nights. Not good for fitness. I did 5 miles on the treadmill last night in about 43 minutes. Felt ok but I really need to go out and do some more road running. Without all the sponsorship I'm struggling for motivation though. 4 days in Istanbul from Friday won't help matters but if I have a big March. Like, really f**king big, then I should be ok. I hope.
Bluefoxtim Posted 25 February 2009 Author Posted 25 February 2009 My very first run was on sunday, it was meant to be a light warm up but ended up being 8 miles! Quite how I did that I don't know! Running along main roads is boring as fook, so went cross country along the canal and down some dirt roads near crow mill. I'm half way to my target and my page has only been up a week, so hopefully I'll reach it soon!
Guest Posted 25 February 2009 Posted 25 February 2009 Thanks for the tips. A decent pair of running shoes aren't cheap though! You can get decent running shoes for less than £40 if you know what you are looking for. I had my running style assessed, tried on the recommended trainers, ummed and aahhed a bit, then went and found a really good pair of Asics in Makro for £20!! I'm doing the Leicester Half again, plus the Great Capital Run ( a mate of mine suggested doing it too, think it's 10K sometime in July).Still don't think I'm up to the full marathon, maybe next year If you can run a half marathon, you can train for a full marathon in as little as 16 weeks. My training was over 20 weeks.
Dr The Singh Posted 25 February 2009 Posted 25 February 2009 You can get decent running shoes for less than £40 if you know what you are looking for.I had my running style assessed, tried on the recommended trainers, ummed and aahhed a bit, then went and found a really good pair of Asics in Makro for £20!! If you can run a half marathon, you can train for a full marathon in as little as 16 weeks. My training was over 20 weeks. Where's a really good cheap place to buy some waterproofs ie jacket\bottoms??? I hate runningg\jogging in the rain and getting wet!!
Guest Posted 25 February 2009 Posted 25 February 2009 Where's a really good cheap place to buy some waterproofs ie jacket\bottoms??? I hate runningg\jogging in the rain and getting wet!! If the missus fancies a trip to Ikea, there's a shop called Decathlon next to it, which is good. I also managed to pick up some decent kit in Aldi, of all places, but they don't always have stuff in stock. This site is also good. It's also good if you know what running shoes you want.
Dr The Singh Posted 25 February 2009 Posted 25 February 2009 If the missus fancies a trip to Ikea, there's a shop called Decathlon next to it, which is good.I also managed to pick up some decent kit in Aldi, of all places, but they don't always have stuff in stock. This site is also good. It's also good if you know what running shoes you want. Ta me lovely!!!
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