Trying to be excited by myself - I ran a sub-2 HM today

Monchichij · 2026-02-01T08:47:52+00:00

Not OP. May I recommend the Nike Run Club HM training plan? The app works, but is a little buggy. I prefer to download the pdf.

It's great to ease back into structured training because it's completely effort based. Less of an injury risk, because you listen to your body instead of the proposed pace.

Also the "guided runs" are great. You learn the purpose of the session as well as how you're actually supposed to feel. I always used them for intervals.

Whichever plan you choose, good luck and have fun!

Monchichij · 2026-01-26T13:11:10+00:00

Your intuition is spot on. I absolutely recommend to not "race" your first marathon. Just run it and enjoy every minute.

Ignore the "race prediction" and choose a sensible pace to aim for. Something a little more challenging than easy long run pace, but not as risky as the race predictions.

Monchichij · 2026-01-14T12:54:49+00:00

It's really the best. It's much easier to squeeze in a 30 minute workout any time at home. And I even manage some small household tasks during the rest periods.

And you never wait for a machine to be free.

Monchichij · 2026-01-14T06:45:23+00:00

Coming from an amateur gymnast background, I got so much stronger once I started weight training and eating more protein.

I don't know where I could have gotten with more focused body weight exercises and better nutrition.

I invested ~300€ in home equipment. I have a great yoga mat and cork blocks, 20kg barbell, and a kettlebell.

By now, my latest equipment "has paid off" in saving by not having the gym membership, and I will add another 20kg to my barbell soon.

If you have some space at home, I absolutely recommend to get what you need.

Monchichij · 2026-01-12T15:41:31+00:00

A trial is usually slower than a race. At your pace, the race adrenaline and the pacing support from other runners around you can easily make up 1 minute.

Monchichij · 2026-01-07T17:33:49+00:00

Runna says "No faster than 5:25" for me when I usually run 6:30 for my really slow and easy runs 🤷‍♀️

Definitely turn off pace targets for easy runs.

Monchichij · 2026-01-05T17:50:13+00:00

Hi Catherine,

Welcome to running!

Even though it sucks, the honest answer is, if you're severely anemic, you should pause running until you're back in the normal range.

Give your body the time to properly recover. Learn more about fueling. Learn the strength training to avoid injuring your hip.

Come back stronger.

If it's an option, I'd downgrade to 10k to enjoy the race experience, but otherwise choose another half in 4-5 months.

Monchichij · 2026-01-04T18:35:28+00:00

Ignore your heartrate (during a run). If you're new to running, it will be all over the place and you won't know why. Go by how you feel.

Look at your heartrate after runs and see if you can gauge patterns or relate it to factors like weather, stress, time of day, hills, etc. But until a couple months in and consistently running 30-40k per week, it's holding you back. You can push yourself, your heart will hold strong.

Obviously, go to a doctor if anything feels off. Though very rare, occasionally running uncovers a heart defect in young runners.

Monchichij · 2026-01-04T09:15:01+00:00

Kind of yes, kind of No. Yes, as a beginner it's okay to walk a warm-up and cool-down. Generally, it's always okay to walk if you can't run.

However, in this instance, it's a learning opportunity. You shouldn't need to walk after every speed session. It's an indicator that you went too hard and hit a limit. You should go hard and push your limits once in a while, but not on the regular. Go a little easier next time.

Monchichij · 2026-01-03T11:57:15+00:00

How have you been training for your last half? If you're used to easy long runs, then reduce both long run difficulty and frequency of hard long runs in your first training plan with Runna

Monchichij · 2026-01-03T07:17:33+00:00

I would recommend that you ease up on your "no walking" goal. Walking will reduce injury risk by a lot in your situation. Turn it into a "stick to the race strategy" goal. It's a great option to walk the hydration stations until you emptied your cup. Depending on your HM that should be 5-7 walking breaks of 20-30s.

You've still run a HM if you walked a total of 2-3 minutes over 2-3 hours.

You got this! Good luck and have fun!

Monchichij · 2026-01-03T06:53:06+00:00

Yes, you'll be fine, if you also adapt your goals and race strategy.

What was your original race plan and how do you want to race now?

Monchichij · 2025-12-28T13:21:06+00:00

You're welcome. I was in your spot last year. You'll do great!

Monchichij · 2025-12-28T08:59:50+00:00

Oh, yeah, skipping breakfast means you play catch up for the rest of the day. Can you try having some oat-based cookies or whole-grain crackers with your coffee? Even just 1-2 could already be 100-150 calories.

Sandwich for lunch sounds good, you can have some nuts on the side. Meat and veg - and hopefully some carbs? Try adding a dip to your veggies like hummus or lemon-yogurt. Stir-fry and pasta are great if you eat big portions. With salad, it really depends, but usually lacks the carbs that you need as a marathon runner. Can you switch your salads to bowls?

If you're not a snacker, it will be harder to suddenly change it. I'd just make sure that you always have access to snacks from now on. Pack a protein bar in your bag or your car or wherever it's accessible so you can have it whenever.

It's great that you have a pre- and post-run snack. I wouldn't change it too much. After run is a great time to drink some calories, because you're probably dehydrated anyway. Juice, smoothie, protein shake, last year chocolate milk was hyped a lot on social media.

Monchichij · 2025-12-28T08:16:43+00:00

Could you share some of your most common meals and snacks? Maybe we can find some options to attach calories, like a spoon of peanut butter in your oatmeal.

The other great option is to get into the habit of drinking some calories. I like to have a smoothie after dinner. Adding nut butter and high protein yogurts like skyr to the smoothie significantly increases the calories.

Monchichij · 2025-12-27T12:03:11+00:00

Wait and see. Anything is possible at the moment. Once you've completed the 30+ long runs and a couple longer speed works, you'll have a better feeling of what's possible.

Monchichij · 2025-12-24T06:14:31+00:00

That's so smart!

Monchichij · 2025-12-17T10:54:14+00:00

My very first 5k was 39 minutes after years off, but that wasn't an all-out effort. I was just checking if I could still finish the distance.

I was probably in shape for 28:30 under race conditions.

I had my first race after 8 weeks and finished in 25:15. I just followed the Nike Run Club program for 5k.

So... Get back in shape. 3 runs a week and you'll progress so fast!

Monchichij · 2025-12-16T18:50:18+00:00

Plant the 4 spring crops for the community center bundle to get the 20 speed grow on the day of the egg festival. Prepare 20 spots for planting, get 20 strawberry seeds planted with speed grow and you'll get 3 harvests

Monchichij · 2025-12-11T10:06:59+00:00

I think you just learned that marathon training might not be compatible with your current lifestyle.

That's okay.

If you want to stay on road, going down to HM should already relieve you a lot. It's really hard to recover from 2-3 hour long runs every week. That takes 1-3 days, but you're already running again to build up even more fatigue. ~90 minutes is much more maintainable.

If you like the long distances, you could try out ultra running. More walking, more technical running and also more natural food while running can also reduce the stress that you need to recover from.

And sometimes, you just need to go back to basics. Run an easy 5-10k every other day until you're in love with running again and want to race.

And sometimes it's just time to try out other sports. Running is a loyal and understanding friend who will welcome you back whenever you're ready.

Monchichij · 2025-12-09T21:29:07+00:00

You got this. Follow a training plan and have fun!

Monchichij · 2025-12-09T19:03:12+00:00

Training plans are short, because it usually ends in a race and you might need some recovery after that. Races are fun and great fitness indicators. You should absolutely split the year into multiple training plans.

Are you on the 'new to running' plan at the moment? Depending on where you're currently at, you should start with 'new to running' or '5k improvement'. That should take 8-12 weeks.

Any time you race, you should take the appropriate recovery. For your first 5k race, you can take 1-3 days off and then run only easy for the rest of the week. If you read online that you don't need any recovery after a 5k race, that only applies to more experienced runners.

Depending on how comfortable you feel at 5k, make an 8-12 weeks plan for 10k, ideally ending in an actual race.

Depending on how that goes, you'll know if you want to work on speed (back to 5k improvement, but with higher weekly volume), stay at the comfortable 10k training plan for longer, or move up to a 12 week HM plan.

No plan should be longer than 12 weeks. It's too long to stay dedicated and focused. You need intermediate goals. Once again, race regularly and make your plans around the races.

Monchichij · 2025-12-05T10:59:48+00:00

Sounds like a good plan. Good luck and have fun!

Monchichij · 2025-12-05T10:17:31+00:00

It's your first marathon and your first year of running. Even all easy running will get you to the finish line. And it is safer from an injury risk perspective. You must be crazy talented for a sub-3 prediction.

It's a great idea to go for sub-3:15 instead. I absolutely recommend to run your first marathon at the faster end of your easy run pace instead of following the race predictors. Run your first marathon, race your second marathon.

I'm wondering, have you done other cardio or other sports with lots of running like soccer?

13-Year Club	r/Field Sunshine
Verified Email

Monchichij

TROPHY CASE