Reading Half Marathon 2012

Barney Wales, by that logic, Snowdonia marathon should be a sinch because that starts and finishes on the same elevation too

You never make up going down hat you lose going up.

DM Returns - the unofficial beer station is there, outside the Nags Head, at the bottom of Russell Street, near the 7 mile point I think.

Look for the table on the left as you turn the corner.

Stevie G . wrote (see)

Barney Wales, by that logic, Snowdonia marathon should be a sinch because that starts and finishes on the same elevation too

You never make up going down hat you lose going up.

Point taken!

Training not going great this year.........Also My wife, My daughter and My dad have all got some bug which seems to last 36-48 hours.  My wife lsot 4lb in 2 days!! (and she doesnt have it to lose) she was made up with that. 

Looking forward to this as its my 1st Reading half. 

Training......'OK'  i havnt done as much as i should or wished for reasons beyond my control.  3 runs per week with last sunday being the longest at 9mile so far, i no it should be more on the LSR at this stage but....

Just under 3 weeks to go and i cant wait!!!!!

Dreading this now. Seem to have developed "runners knee". In agony after 4 miles.

 Gonna get some suplments at lunch and try plenty of low impact excersises and stretches.

Touch wood!!

Sorry about your knee.  I fell running home from work last week - have got an elbow that is twice the size it should be and other bruises to delicate to mention - plus both knees black and blue!!!! Perhaps someone can tell me why we do this!   I, too, can't wait now - just so I can say that I have retired from Half Marathon running!  My son is doing it for the first time - he ran home from work last night - Heathrow to Maidenhead. Today can hardly walk as his hips are killing him!  People who don't run (like my big sister) say continually to me that I am completely bonkers!  Probably right - but then at 66 - who cares - I can still do it!

All of us have a good one, despite the aches and pains!

Fair play 'Gladys1146'  66 and still running!

Im 38 and feel like i could call it a day at any point and be happy.....and relaxe!

Its when i hear things like that (66 and still running) it gives me a extra insentive to get out running again, thinking to myself if your doing it then so am i......Also another thing what pops in my head every now and again when im finding it tough is 'One day i wont be able to do this....today is not that day'

Hi all - its a lovely race, nice and flat apart from two short hils that are no worries and a real PB course. Great aid stations and nice atmosphere. Check out the TdF kind of atmosphere around 8-9 miles (Libenrood Road) as you turn. Awesome.

The drummers at  The Oracle make you just run faster and faster! A friend of mine is drumming so please give them a wave and clap!

The Reading folk turn out for it and the finish is brilliant. Get there a bit early and cheer home the Green Park Challege runners and if that does not inspire you nothing will.

One request though - if you insist on running with music in your ears do not be surprised if you get shoved aside. Last year there were far too many runners who had put down completely unachievable times, running to music and making the first few KM a misery for others.

Matt....Glad in a way im no the only one been struggling

Did 8 mile yesterday with 2 4mile runs during the week (3 runs in all per week).  Will do 2 x 4.5 mile runs during the week and a 9 mile next sunday then just the one mid week run of 5 mile the week before (reading half).  I no i should of been banging the 12-16 mile LSR out but not been able to TBH.

Hope all goes well for every one

Matt and Barney... make that 3 people struggling! I have a groin strain that seems to be getting worse

This is the first half marathon and I am really looking forward to it, or should I say I was until this has happened - got to say reading this thread has given some of the excitment back!

 I am up to 8.5miles and hoping to do 10miles on sunday (I am running the Plymouth Sport Relief 6mile on sunday and then run home to add the 4miles) but not quite sure if I am going push it and just rest up and pray to god I get around Reading next week!

 Think I am gonna take it slow and gental (sorry if I am one of thoes in the wrong time pen but when I was fit and healthy I probably would have been fine!)

 Good Luck everyone and if you see me being wheeled around then give me a wave!!! lol!

Did it for the 1st time yesterday, training hasnt been great for it as i havnt done to many LSR but i thought hay hoy i'll give it a go.  12mile mark i was finished!!!  I thought to myself i will have a little walk for 2mins which i did and when i started again it was tough.....i rememberd why i never stop normally!!  And when i seen the 400m sign i swear some one must of moved it!!!!  It was more like 1200m than 400m! 

I have done 2xGNR (harder than this IMO), 2xLiverpool Halfs (easier than this IMO), 2xStoke Hanley 'Arfs' (harder than this IMO) and i did enjoy this but seen as i had to make a 4hr 30min train trip to and from it....I wont be doing it again.  Dont get me wrong its a great event and if it was say 60-90min away i would but its not so i wont be doing it again.....But i will be doing the GNR again this year and every year possible and thats 4hr 30min away too!!!!  But thats more of a experence IMO.

(thoughts go to friends and family of man that passed away shortley after crossing line, its heart breaking news)