Where I Am Now: Focused on Half Marathon Training
Introduction: Half Marathon Training Journey
After reflecting on my journey I have decided to focus on half marathon training. I’ve realised that while I’ve made some recent progress and followed a clearer plan, I’ve never truly trained for a specific race and time with proper structured training. One of the biggest changes I plan to make, and with the help of being accountable by blogging about it, is using a structured plan. In the past, I had a vague goal of running a 10K in 40 minutes, but I never fully committed to a race-specific training plan. Now, I’ve decided to change that.
I’ve entered a half marathon on 1st December with the goal of completing it in 1 hour 35 minutes. To get there, I’ve plugged this race into the Runna app, using my latest 5K time of 20:14 set two weeks ago. The app gave me a training plan and a predicted half marathon finish time of 1:31 to 1:34, but I’ve decided to set my goal at 1:35 for a couple of reasons. First, I’ve never run a half marathon race before, so I expect my performance to be at the top end of the prediction. Second, I want to avoid injury, especially since I’ve never followed a structured plan like this before.
Half Marathon Plan Adaptations
One key part of my plan is incorporating Parkrun every Saturday. Parkrun has been a crucial motivator for me, keeping me consistent and helping me get used to running hard. While the Runna plan is quite specific, I’ve decided to tweak it slightly to suit my needs. I find that I struggle with motivation on my own, especially when trying to maintain a fast pace during training. Since I don’t have access to a track, I plan to do some of my specific race work on the treadmill, where I can better control my pacing. However, I’ll use the Parkrun to practice running fast paces on different surfaces.
To stay accountable and ensure I stick to the plan, I will be updating the blog weekly to show if I’m staying with the plan and how the training is progressing. Seeing progress in my 5K times is also important for keeping me motivated. While this might slow down my progress in terms of achieving a new PB in the short term, I believe it will keep me engaged and excited about my training. It’s a balance, and I’ll adjust as I go, but I believe that tweaking the plan to fit my needs will ultimately help me succeed. While structure is important, I also believe in making adjustments to what works best for the individual.
Training Focus: Structure and Specificity
One of the biggest improvements in my running journey is that I’ve committed to a structured training plan using Runna. I’ve always struggled with consistency in the past, but I now realize that having a clear plan and accountability is crucial. The plan includes a combination of easy runs, tempo runs, interval sessions, and long runs, each designed to target specific areas of improvement. It’s all about building a solid aerobic base and increasing my lactate threshold so I can hold faster paces for longer.
Half Marathon Training Journey: Weekly Breakdown:
- Sunday: Long run, which increases in distance each week to build endurance for the half marathon.
- Monday: Rest day, allowing my body to recover and prepare for the upcoming week of training.
- Tuesday to Friday: A mixture of easy runs, tempo runs, and interval sessions. These sessions are aimed at improving speed, endurance, and my overall performance.
- Saturday: Parkrun, where I’ll either incorporate one of the training sessions or run hard to push myself.
With this flexible yet structured approach, I’m focusing on building endurance while also working on my speed and overall race fitness. Each session has a purpose, and the rest day on Monday gives me time to recover and avoid burnout.
Weight Loss Journey: Finding a Happy Medium
At 5ft 10 (178 cm), I’ve always been on the heavier side as a runner. My current weight is around 90.8kg, or 14 stone 4 pounds. While it’s true that being lighter can generally make you quicker as a runner, I’ve found that losing too much weight doesn’t suit my body shape. In fact, the last time I lost a significant amount of weight, I ended up getting injured. I’m trying to find a balance—a happy medium—where I can improve my running performance without compromising my health or comfort.
A lot of people have commented on my body shape, and while I do want to get back down to 86kg (around 13 stone 7 pounds), I don’t want to go too far. I know that shedding some weight will help me run more efficiently, but I also need to make sure that I maintain a strong and healthy frame that suits me. This time, I’m being more mindful of finding that middle ground—where I’m leaner and faster but still injury-free.
Calorie Strategy for Weight Loss
As part of my plan to lose weight while training, I’m focusing on maintaining a small calorie deficit throughout the week. Previously, I struggled with either rewarding myself with food after a run or running fasted, which made the training feel more difficult than necessary. Now, I’m aiming for a more balanced approach—eating more on days when I have harder runs, like intervals, and cutting back on rest days. This way, I can maintain my energy levels for training while still making progress with my weight loss.
Even though my weight has gone up, I’m not discouraged. This is a long-term journey, and I’ve learned that setbacks are part of the process. What’s important is that I recognize where I’ve slipped and make adjustments moving forward.
Short-Term Goal: Breaking 20 Minutes for 5K
Before I hit my half marathon training journey target, I’ve set a more immediate goal: breaking 20 minutes in a Parkrun. My times have been just over 20 minutes, and I know that getting below that mark will help me improve my pacing for longer races. Achieving a sub-20-minute 5K will give me the confidence and physical ability to push myself in the half marathon.
The tempo runs in my plan are specifically designed to push my limits and improve my threshold pace, which will make breaking that 20-minute barrier a reality. These runs challenge me to hold a faster pace for longer periods and prepare me for race conditions.
Half Marathon Training Progress and Lessons
One major challenge I’ve faced recently is balancing my running with football. While I enjoy playing, I’ve found that it takes longer for me to recover from football games, which interferes with my running training. After a game, I often feel soreness in my legs, making it harder to hit my training targets in the days that follow. As a result, I’m considering either reducing the amount of football I play or stopping altogether to prioritize my half marathon training. I know that at this stage in my life, recovery is key, and I need to be smart about where I’m putting my energy.
Another challenge is maintaining consistency after hitting smaller goals. In the past, I’ve struggled with staying motivated once I’ve achieved a target. For example, after completing the 1,017 km challenge in 2017, I lost motivation, and my running routine became inconsistent. This time, I’m determined to stay on track not just for the half marathon, but for the bigger goals I’ve set, like breaking 40 minutes in a 10K and maintaining a long-term healthy running routine.
Looking Forward: Accountability and Documentation
This half marathon training journey is about more than just running a race. It’s about holding myself accountable, both mentally and physically. By documenting my progress here, I’m making a commitment not only to my readers but to myself. It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day grind of training, but by reflecting on each step, I can stay focused and celebrate the small wins along the way.
I’ve also realized that accountability is a big part of my success. In the past, when I didn’t have a clear goal or structure, it was easy to fall off track. Now, with a structured plan and the intention to share my journey with others, I feel more motivated to stick with it. I hope that by sharing both the highs and lows, I can inspire others to stay consistent with their own goals.
The half marathon is a stepping stone in my journey, but it’s also a reminder of how far I’ve come. The lessons I’ve learned about consistency, nutrition, and recovery have made me a stronger runner, both physically and mentally. I’m excited to see what the future holds and to share this journey with you.
