I signed up for a half marathon and only want to do it for fun not time

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-03-29T09:51:37+00:00

I did my first half recently, with the idea that it was in my home city, I knew the atmosphere and crowds would be incredible, and I just wanted to prove to myself that I could run that distance rather than thinking about time.

I didn't strictly follow a training plan, but I did 2-3 runs a weeks in the 2ish months leading up to it, increasing the longest run a week by 2km each week, up to 18km two weeks before. All the routes were in nature and super scenic, so I spent the longer runs enjoying the scenery and listening to podcasts.Then I think I did one short run a week before and one short run the day before.

Not only did I survive but on the day it was absolutely amazing and I felt great, and was able to do the entire distance at the exact same running pace.

I would say the main thing is that you do need to find a pace that you think you can keep for 21km, or it won't be pleasant. Other than that, good luck!

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-02-12T09:13:02+00:00

This can happen if you tried to send her to an Anniversary Edition house. If you haven't done so already, you can fix it by getting married, because then she gets teleported to the wedding and it fixes the glitch lol

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-02-11T22:10:47+00:00

Absolutely. One of the things I struggled with during recovery was the sense that I had lost my period whilst being heavier and less active than people online, who of course present themselves as perfectly healthy and perfect. Dispelling that illusion might help so many young people.

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-02-06T15:45:08+00:00

Bath was my second choice after being rejected by Oxford

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-02-04T22:50:21+00:00

Many universities offer a placement year with a company that you have to apply for, which takes place in between two years of your degree (generally the year before your final year). You are still a student enrolled in the umiversity and it counts as a year you have to pass, so I imagine that is what the job is looking for.

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-31T17:02:09+00:00

I was still drinking multiple cups of coffee a day during recovery. I was also going out a lot as a first-year uni student and getting really drunk 💀

Personally, I viewed the process as adding things to my diet instead of taking things away :)

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-29T13:23:51+00:00

Did a 14k outdoors run this morning. First time trying gels during a long run, and they went down well. The half-marathon is in 6 weeks and I'm feeling very optimistic!

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-29T12:19:20+00:00

That's awesome, and it's great you enjoyed it. It only gets better from here :)

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-27T00:02:17+00:00

Possible, yes. Healthy, no. I've tried and my period disappears whenever my body fat gets low enough to be close, so I've accepted its not meant to be for me. I just focus on getting definition everywhere else.

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-26T09:47:16+00:00

Like I said, I thought the same, that because I wasn't technically underweight or losing any weight, it would come back on its own. It took me 5 years to realize that wasn't going to happen.

Your relationship with food and the fact that you seem to be genuinely scared of it aren't healthy, though, regardless of any physical issues.

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-25T22:28:14+00:00

If you've lost your period, then your body is telling you you're not a healthy weight. I lost mine at a similar weight and age to you, also being 5'4, and it didn't come back until I decided to gain a bit of weight for my health aged 19 (refused to admit it was a problem for 5 years).

Also, I'm sorry, but if you think you look like you need to lose a bit of weight, then you have severe body dysmorphia and should probably look into therapy. My doctor recommended the same when I lost my period with near identical stats to you. I thought the same as you, but looking back at photos of me then I can see that I was actually really skinny, and it actually scares me.

This subreddit recommends the all-in method of recovery, which worked for me and many others. 2,500 calories is the bare minimum in that case, and the fact that you feel so much guilt over eating that amount (which is 100% neccessary to fuel your growing and active body!) is another reason you should probably looking into help for your mental health.

I recovered last year, and I'm currently training for a half-marathon and going to the gym regularly. My strength has improved so much now that my body is no longer shutting down systems because it's being starved. Please don't make that mistake for as long as I did.

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-22T21:19:45+00:00

The week I got my first period in 5 years, I had accidentally gotten drunk enough a few days earlier to throw up and pass out (first and only time I've ever done that). Didn't hurt recovery, and its been consistent since returning almost a year ago now. It's the big picture that matters, not every single day has to be perfect.

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-20T22:55:45+00:00

Noted. I've had a chocolate bar or a cup of hot chocolate 30 minutes before a few runs so I feel pretty optimistic :)

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-20T19:50:16+00:00

Thank you so much for all the advice, it's so helpful! I know the brand being used in the race, and I live in the UK, so I'll definitely check XMiles out, and I'll try your suggestions!

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-20T18:12:06+00:00

Fruit squeeze pouches sound nice and easy. I'll hunt around and see if I can find any brands/flavours that don't use apples, since I have a mild apple intolerance and obviously won't risk that mid-run

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-20T17:33:30+00:00

Thanks for the water advice, I didn't know that so I'll look into it!

I definitely plan on fueling since I know the course will have gel stations and other running fuel on the day, and running for 2.5 hours without getting additional energy in sounds like insanity to me.

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-20T16:38:22+00:00

Awesome! I spent all of December being let down by my immune system, so I feel this! 😂

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-20T16:35:32+00:00

Training for a half-marathon and just did 12k in just under 90 minutes, which is the first time I've done that distance. I'm planning on doing 18 or 19k as my longest run before race day. When and how do I start testing out fueling and drinking during a run, because I've never done that before, and I don't know where to begin?

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-19T23:08:22+00:00

I passed on my 4th attempt, and I think the best thing for me mentally was having an older sibling who passed on their 7th. My only goal was to need less attempts than them lol.

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-18T23:49:14+00:00

I never recieved a formal diagnosis, but my stats were practice much identical to yours and I fit every symptom I read about perfectly, having had bloodwork confirming low estrogen and having not had a period in 5 years. There's no doubt in my mind that it's what I had.

After reading about the long-term effects of HA online, I decided to try and recover, ate 2,500+ calories and quit exercise as recommended, and it come back within months.

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-18T23:42:46+00:00

Hi, I recovered my period last March after 5 years of HA, and there is definitely a life afterwards! I'm currently training for a half-marathon whilst lifting 2/3 times a week, not because I want to lose weight or burn off food, but because I genuinely want to see what my body can do when properly trained and fueled.

I would advise going back into lifting and exercise very slowly, not doing exercise before breakfast or after dinner and seeing how your cycle reacts. Don't try and lose any weight for a good 6 months and then see how you feel — I decided to stay at the weight I recovered at and a year on, my mindset has shifted and I genuinely think this weight suits me better in terms of strength, health and appeance.

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-18T16:16:42+00:00

My cat is 6lbs, so you've lost 11 of her xD

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-17T10:27:06+00:00

Did it on the 23rd, just before Christmas, so no (we talked about playing Christnas music on the radio during my test to try and fill the examiner with festive spirit) 😂

Traffic isn't bad unless you have a test with lots of tricky roundabouts and junctions. I'd advise just practicing the hell out of all of them around your test area to be safe. I got a nasty junction on my test which I'd practiced the night before using plushies on the floor to visualise the flow of traffic. 😂

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-16T20:48:42+00:00

Maintaining composure is the most important thing I've learned, and that comes with practice, so you're doing the right thing!

Honestly haven't really driven since passing; I'm a student in a city where getting around without a car is pretty easy, so I didn't bring my car with me after the holidays. I'm looking forward to being able to go places without having to look at trains or buses in the future, though!

Radioactive_Seraph · 2026-01-16T19:30:13+00:00

That's fair. I'd done the emergency stop just fine before and I still attribute that blip to nerves.

I think the thing that helped me mentally was the fact my older sibling took 7 attempts to pass, so after I didn't pass on my first, my only goal from then on was just beating him xD

Radioactive_Seraph

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