Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon - Events

Johnny2323

25/09/2012 at 15:08

Two weeks to go until I glide majestically through the streets of our glittering capital with nary a bead of sweat upon my brow, breezing past runners half my age as I effortlessly break the tape in a Half Marathon world record time.

Well that was the plan. Sadly the amount of pies and chocolate I've been eating whilst watching the Olympics (I was inspired) have scuppered my dreams. But I'm still in. Who else is getting excited/fearful?

Emmy H

25/09/2012 at 18:56

Hi Johnny, I'll be on the start line as well! Apart from the pies - how has your training gone?

Johnny2323

25/09/2012 at 19:09

A severe case of lazyitus has meant I haven't kept up with my training schedule. Pre-summer I knocked 2 mins off my Half marathon PB, post summer (2 weeks ago) I ran slowest Half marathon for two years. I'm hoping flatness of the course will inspire my legs to great things.

How about you Emmy?

Do we know if there are pacers? If not would anyone else be willing to run at 2hr pace while carrying a large yellow balloon?

Edited: 25/09/2012 at 19:09

Emmy H

25/09/2012 at 20:10

Hi Johnny, I've been using half marathons as my speed work for marathons. I've heard a lot of good things about the Royal parks half marathon so I'm looking forward to it. A friend that I was due to be running with has pulled out due to injury (Achilles tendinitis) so hopefully they'll be on route supporting!

Training has been going kind of well. Did a marathon in September but I've been I'll this past week so I feel a little drained and hoping it'll clear up before this weekend.

I don't know about pacers? Theres nothing on the website. The royal parks team have been very helpful when I've asked them questions about picking up my race pack so it might be worth contacting them.

I'll be using this race as a LSR so 2.15-2.25 would be great. If anyone wants to meet up on the day - let me know

Stilts

25/09/2012 at 20:33

I'm in - can't wait - was training for Bracknell HM last year when I was diagnosed with breast cancer so this is unfinished business. Hoping for a good time now that there's a bit less of me

Johnny2323

26/09/2012 at 09:35

Wow, best of luck to you Katrina. What time are you hoping for?

Thanks Emmy, I'll ask them about the pacers and see what they say. Although having said that in any race I've run that does have pacers I've always deliberately moved ahead of them as they create a bit of a log jam.

What mara did you do?

Emmy H

26/09/2012 at 09:41

Hi Katrina - well done for getting back out there and finishing off something unfinished!

Hi Johnny - I did marathon du medoc in France. Great race but not really a race... as we stopped off every 2k for wine

Johnny2323

27/09/2012 at 20:54

Wo, don't think I'd be able to manage that - and how on earth did you train? did you replace lucozade Sport with a bottle of wine?

Anne Solley (Clumsy)

30/09/2012 at 22:01

I'm in for this. I'm really looking forward to it as I've been wanting to run around the Royal Parks for a while now. I'm not looking forward to the early start so much though... I'll be catching the 6.19 train up from Brighton to make sure I get there in plenty of time (factoring in for train delays!).

Emmy H

01/10/2012 at 07:53

@Johnny - surprisingly; i didnt train with wine or anything like that... I just sipped at the glasses they gave instead of downing the glass

@Anne - welcome to the thread! How has your training been going?

Less than 7 days to go and i'm really looking forward to it! Is anyone else picking up their race pack from Hyde Park?

Anne Solley (Clumsy)

01/10/2012 at 09:06

Training has been going fine thenks, Emma.

I ran the Great North Run on 16th September so I've just been keeping my legs ticking over since then. Although I didn't go out for yesterday's long run (6miles) due to a dodgy stomach so am now a day behind.

I've bought my running gear into work today with the aim of either running home or hopping on a treaddie at the gym if the weather is too horrid.

sleaver

01/10/2012 at 09:09

Just saying Hi as I am in this as well and it's my first half marathon.

Getting a bit nervous now as the largest field I've run with is 250 so 10,000+ will be quite different. I've done the training though and have my target time, so hopefully everything will go to plan.

Johnny2323

01/10/2012 at 09:31

FYI contacted RPF HM on Facebook and asked about pacers and there will be some for these times:

1hr 30mins
1hr 40mins
1hr 50mins
2hrs
2hrs 10mins

Hope the weather cheers up.

Emmy H

01/10/2012 at 10:11

Thanks for that Johnny - i'll be sticking with the 2hr 10 one

Hi Sleaver - don't worry about the size of the field. For me, this means more people to talk to en route!

andyp

01/10/2012 at 10:54

Looking forward to doing this one.

I ran the Great Scottish HM a month ago in 2:23 so I may break the 2:20, who knows?

Good uck to everyone with:

1 Getting there - Anne - that's an early start!,

2 The run - hope you enjoy it....

andyp

01/10/2012 at 10:54

I meant "luck" - d'oh!

touie2

01/10/2012 at 10:56

Oh but I was wanting 1:45 I'll just have to do my own pacing!!! Actually really looking forward to this now I've totally overtrained as I have an ultra coming up so hope my legs will play on the day!!!

Johnny2323

01/10/2012 at 10:58

What's best tube station for start? Knightsbridge?

andyp

01/10/2012 at 12:47

Hyde Park Corner works too........

Emmy H

01/10/2012 at 12:50

I'm planning to run there as a warm up but I think Green Park would work as well?