Reading Half Marathon 2013 - Events

Johnny2323

16/01/2013 at 20:24

Hello. Thought I'd start a thread for people who are running Reading as opposed to wanting to get a place from someone else.
So who's in and what's your target?

Jindalee

16/01/2013 at 20:27

I'm in. Will try to get under 1.45

always trying

16/01/2013 at 21:48

I am in. I would like to be somewhere nearer to 2hours maybe 2.15 but really struggle with speed. I have the stamina to complete halfs but only in varying times starting from just over 2 and a half, though each one i do i knock some seconds or minutes off.

Am trying to up my running this year to see how that helps, and will start some speed intervals in a few weeks.

Johnny2323

16/01/2013 at 22:19

Hi guys. 1:45 ish is my target too but anything is fine so long as I get round pain free. This'll be my fourth Reading Half. Love the finish in the stadium, the drummers under the bridge, the pub tempting us with beer and the atmosphere is always great. I'm aiming for a PB but not had a great start to 2013 due to bad knee - trapped in the catch 22 position between healing and losing fitness.

Edited: 16/01/2013 at 22:21

Jindalee

16/01/2013 at 23:16

Hi Jonny, this will be my first reading half and I'm looking forward to it.

sounds really good. If I go under 1:46 it would be a new PB for me but I also have my eyes on my first marathon in may. Hope your knee is getting better and you will go pain free and get that PB.

kevin dennis

17/01/2013 at 08:33

this will be my firs half in reading, done london full in 2011, and what a great experiance, the croud drive you all the the round, so if you havnt dont it... just do it.

Super Moo

17/01/2013 at 11:01

This will be my first Reading Half Marathon and only my second half marathon in total. Hoping for under 1:50 but currently not sure if this is realistic. Used to live in Reading and go to the Uni there so should be interesting.

Johnny2323

17/01/2013 at 11:10

The route goes by the Uni. It's a great race to attack imo - OK it is crowded but the course is wide the whole way and there's a couple of hills to test you out. Biggest issue for going for a time here is psychological I think. The final two miles are alongside a duel carraigeway and a double back in Green Park - the nearness of the stadium kids you into thinking the end is nearer than it really is. Last year I latched on to a couple of runners much quicker than me who tore through the final stretch - kept me moving.

Rafiki

17/01/2013 at 13:57

Johnny2323 wrote (see)

Love the finish in the stadium, the drummers under the bridge, the pub tempting us with beer and the atmosphere is always great..

I presume youy meant to say serving beer, rather than tempting as I always stop for my freebie from the Turk's Head (other pubs are available)

Pete The Plod

17/01/2013 at 15:35

I'm running Reading again this year.

My current target is sub 2 hours, but to do this I must avoid the free beer!

always trying

17/01/2013 at 15:43

Hmmm I declined the beer last yer, maybe that is where I went wrong!

Johnny again

18/01/2013 at 13:29

The beer is ok, but don't be tempted by the pork scratchings! I'm in, again, along with my son, brother in law and nephew. Target was 1:30, but after 6 weeks off I'll probably be revising that! It may be expensive, but I enjoy Reading, A nice, easy, fast route and good atmosphere. The only part that I don't like is the stadium finish! - I don't like the surface or the loud noise.

Martin King 8

20/01/2013 at 14:54

Hi all,

I'm in, this is my first try of Reading (it won the toss between Reading and Silverstone!).

I did 2 Halves year, in what was my first year of running, North Norfolk (1:49) and Dartford (1:41), so I'm going for at the very least sub 1:40 (as I really want a time registered in mins rather than hour's and mins (eg 99:59).

I'm training much, much more than last year, so would love sub90mins, but think that's almost certainly a bit beyond me.

andyp

21/01/2013 at 08:08

I'm in - this is one of my favourite events of the year.

My first ever race was a RHM in 1984!!

Bikerbabe1971

21/01/2013 at 16:57

I'm in too! I am fairly new to running, but having lost a load of weight over the last 18 months I am now hooked on it and its getting me through a plateau as well as toning me up and getting me fit!

I decided to enter the Reading Half because I wanted something big to focus on and aim for. I have done a couple of 5k races and recently discovered ParkRun too which I loved. I am doing Reading as a golden bond place with Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research as my Mum had Lymphoma cancer twice and is currently in remission again.

I have no idea what time I am aiming for, and may have to walk a little of it, but I am not really bothered as I am just doing it for the personal achievement of running a half and for the charity. I did put my 5k time into the race calculator weeks ago and it gave me a predicted time just under 3 hours!!! But since I did that last 5k I have reduced my walks and increased my running time so I think that a time of somewhere between 2hr30min and 2hr45min will do for me! I am currently following a BUPA half marathon training plan and its going really well. I can feel improvement almost every week and as I keep a running diary now I can look back and see my times improving

Hope to see some of you there... I'll be one of the ones in a bright yellow LLR running vest

BBxx

Martin King 8

21/01/2013 at 17:03

Hi BB, what a great story. I wish you the very best of luck with your training.

All, if anyone is on Twitter I'm @MartinKing_ I often tweet about how the training is going.

Bikerbabe1971

21/01/2013 at 17:38

Thanks Martin!

Johnny2323

21/01/2013 at 23:44

Last year I started the race with the Reading FC mascot and then about half way round overtook the Reading FC boss Brian McDermott and had a little chat with him - the eagle-eyed might spot him early in this video ---- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuxKvoJm4GU

Great stuff BB & Martin. I know you're going to love it.

7 weeks! Exciting.

Edited: 21/01/2013 at 23:45

andyp

22/01/2013 at 07:37

Great story BB - good luck with the training, espec in this cold weather!

Johnny - I wonder if Kinglsey and BM are running again this year?

Bikerbabe1971

22/01/2013 at 09:40

Martin, I am following you on twitter now... I am on there as @LeighMorton71 if anyone is interested?

Thanks Johnny & Andy for your support... yep, 7 weeks and counting!! I have heard such good things about the Reading Half and the atmosphere there so I think we will all be on adrenaline highs all day, I know I will