Training for a half marathon

[Woody84]

I’d like to get back into running and competing in another half marathon (my last one was a few years ago).

Obviously our job is very demanding on the body and I’d be very mindful of injuring myself etc. Any advice would be appreciated, has/does anyone run before or after work?

[RobertT]

I used to be a keen runner and would still be if I wasn't injury prone!
Getting back into it was one of my plans for retirement, but it hasn't really worked out that way so far. I keep getting silly little niggles!!!

In the past I've trained for full marathons around working for RM, doing anything up to 60 miles a week on top of the job, and wouldn't think anything of doing 10-15 miles on some afternoons.

But as the years went by and slowly getting older, not to mention the later starts and finishes, I had to cut the distances down to 10k or so and found going before work was easier. If you're prepared to get up earlier and run in the dark, you can have the streets to yourself!

My advice is eat well, rest up at every available opportunity and listen to your body.

[dudek05]

I used to train for half marathons. Sunday was my long run day ran for 2hs on Sunday morning.I did
2 other sessions in the week which lasted about 45 mi s each they were intervals, cadence or a bit of hill work.

[Londonsburning]

If you are planning on being a delivery postie for any real length of time, then I hope you value your ankles, knees and hips lol. I'm sure the NHS are still offering replacements within about 18 months at the moment lol.

[pinstripe]

Any advice would be appreciated, has/does anyone run before or after work?

There were a half dozen or so, in my office who were planning on running the local half marathon, but it was cancelled the day before

Most of those guys are early to mid 30’s, though 1 is in his 50’s, and they train around work, usually after, with no issues regarding injuries or fatigue. Probably because their fitness levels are higher than average.

[postmanzach]

I’d like to get back into running and competing in another half marathon (my last one was a few years ago).

Obviously our job is very demanding on the body and I’d be very mindful of injuring myself etc. Any advice would be appreciated, has/does anyone run before or after work?

Use to when I was little younger and less fat and on a walking round. I was walking 12-15 miles a day and then boxing training in the evenings. When I started running on days off I went slowly and thought this is fairly easy wonder how far could go.. did about an hour before dehydration and hunger kicked in.
Learnt about hydration(electrolytes) and the first official event I ran since I was at school was the Jurassic coast 100km. Was an amazing experience.

Only real advice I can give is think of the training as triangle: training, diet, and sleep. If you training and eating well but not getting enough sleep you will end up having more chance of injuries and body not repairing.
You don’t learn to eat well you carrying extra kgs of fat that just makes everything harder. Good source of protein after run is essential.
Regarding joint pains etc it’s usually the tendons/muscles around the joint that need to be strengthened.
There was a good bit on radio4 the other day by doctors explaining joint pains.
He said something like before you should try and get fit, get strong. That doesn’t mean powerlifting or anything but some strength and conditioning, it will help you big time in avoiding injuries.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0l2y3yk

Tbh now I’m a fat wreck, drink too often but I’m working on cutting down an eating healthier and getting back into running. But this job… drains everything and after work all I want is a nice cold beer or something.
When I was training I’d go running before work. They say will power is something that fades throughout the day so do the thing you want to do but keep failing to do as soon as you can.


Good luck! Don’t over do it.
If you been doing this job a while and you got a big round just make sure you have a couple of days off before the half marathon and unless you want a good time you should easily be able to slowly jog it was ease.

[Fannybaws]

I’d like to get back into running and competing in another half marathon (my last one was a few years ago).

Obviously our job is very demanding on the body and I’d be very mindful of injuring myself etc. Any advice would be appreciated, has/does anyone run before or after work?

Plenty of abdominal & core work along with working on strengthening your hip flexors and stretching/yoga a couple of days a week.

[Woody84]

Thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate everyone’s thoughts on it.

I’m off this weekend on holiday so doubt I’ll be starting g back this week ( ) but will be staring back when I return. I think I’ll try AM runs, it’s what I used to do and loved an early morning run.

I think I’ll add a few kettle bell workouts too.