I’ve picked a goal race for Spring finally…. I’m going to be properly racing my first ever half marathon and aiming to beat my current PB of 1.52, and aiming to run at least sub 1.50 at the Bath half marathon in March.
I ran it back in 2012 as part of my training for the London Marathon, my music died at the start line and I struggled a lot throughout the 13.1 miles. I finished in 2.19.19 – my slowest half marathon to date. I’m excited to run the Bath Half again and smash it!
I’m a little sad that I don’t have a Spring marathon to train for, I would love to be taking to the streets of London (or BOSTON!) in April! However I’ve signed up for the Hampton Court Half marathon and the Berkhamstead 5 miler (new PB guaranteed as I’ve never raced this distance before!) to give me some fun and focus in the winter months. I’m also tempted to sign up for the IAAF World Half Marathon championships which are being held in Cardiff in 2016 and are open to the public as well as elites!
I’m not the best at running consistently or training when I don’t have anything to train for, so focusing on the 13.1 mile distance will be a fun challenge over the next few months. I’m lucky that I’ve somehow convinced coach Kerry to help with my plan again, plus I’ll be sharing a beginner’s half marathon plan that I’ve put together for some friends tackling their first half in the New Year.
I’ll be mixing my 3 times weekly runs with ClassPass classes (affiliate link- won’t cost you any more but I will get some £ towards my class fund!) plus I’m hoping to take on Barry’s Bootcamp Hell Week in Feb!
Loving this Reebok kit, especially the muscle tank- trying it out at Paola’s Body Barre TRX class.
Snap, I’m also feeling a bit sad that I don’t have a spring marathon (I did London for the last 2 years) but I have just booked myself in for a half marathon to give me something to work towards over the next couple of months. Mine’s in Blackpool in Feb so it’s going to be cold and windy!!
Wow I’ve actually never been to Blackpool, have a feeling that might be the sort of place to run in the Summer! Good luck with your training!
Good luck with the new challenges. Watch out for the long slog of a hill on the 5 miler from 1.5 – 2.5 miles… there;s a real kick at the top of it! But from mile 4 on you’ll enjoy a great down hill!
Ah thank you- good to know!
I’m doing Bath – would be great to have an insight into your training for it! I got my first sub 2hr at Bournemouth in Oct and now I want to go faster again! Just for a PB at 10k distance so fingers crossed…
Congratulations – I’m going to be sharing my training on social as well as the blog so feel free to follow along!
Look forward to reading your beginner’s half marathon training plan – I’ll be taking on my first ever half in Hackney in May…looking forward to getting stuck in!
Yay Amazing, I know lots of people rave about Hackney, I might even give it a go myself next year!
Look forward to reading your beginner’s training plan, that’s exactly what I need right now.
Great, will be sharing it next week!
Exciting!! Do you have a specific plan that’s aimed at meeting your goal? Ie; not the beginners one? 🙂
I have an autumn marathon planned- thought about bath but not sure- any other spring halfs around the south? Need one planned too. Good luck!
Other spring halfs I considered are Milton Keynes, Silverstone, Surrey and Eastbourne (ruled out because of an enormous hill!) depending on dates and your feelings towards hills!
Good luck with your half marathon goals. The Bath Half is my favourite half, and after 3 years of running it I am unable to this year so enjoy it for me! (Unable to because I have my first marathon instead). xx
I will do, thanks Emily. Good luck in your first marathon- where are you running?
Always exciting to have something new to train for. Best of luck with the new plan!
Thanks Fiona!
Definitely recommend Cardiff world champs (I’m doing it too). They’re using the same course as the annual Cardiff half which takes place in October. I’ve done it twice and it’s my favourite half. Good flat course and crowds are great. Great course for a PB!
Amazing, maybe we should all organise a post race brunch!!
That would be great! I’m living in Cardiff now for a while so if you fancy company for training runs (I read that your boyfriend is moving there), let me know.
Have done Cardiff and can’t wait to do the world champs. I’ve done Bath Half too- a brilliant course!
Ah I think I definitely need to sign up!!
I signed up for Cardiff last night( moment of madness). Desperately trying to find a beginners training plan and read your going to be starting one ????
I’m doing the Palace Half as well! And am keen to try a Hell Week at Barry’s – never done it before!
What great timing – I have signed up for my first half in Feb and in January I finally get to run 3 times a week so your training plan will Def help!
Looking forward to it
Come and do the Cardiff worlds 🙂
I will me there sharing my running group and you xx
*cheering
I’m hoping to get back up to half marathon strength again next year after my knee injury – I will definitely check out your training plan and tips 🙂
Ahhhh I’ll be doing the half at Berkhamsted (it’s my home town) – enjoy the hills in the 5 (but also the last mile being ALL down apart from a bit of a kick when you turn for the finish) and also be prepared to be overtaken by small children who seem to have no concept of tiredness!