Got half marathon in two months time. Upto 20 miles a week so far. Does anyone have any tips? what interval i shoul be doing?. Probably looking at doing the half in 1hour37

Hi, all. I know I'm very late to the thread, and that you all haven't heard from me in six months. I'm relating to bobev's story. I ignored my symptoms of overtraining until I got shinsplints that stopped me cold on the very last long run in training for marathon #2--the one i was hoping to break 4 hours at! It was a very discouraging end to the year, and I ended up missing most of my goals, too, and ending the year on the bench.

I'm starting this year determined to be a more balanced runner. Though in the past I've shunned the gym, I'm making friends with it now, becoming familiar with some of the equipment (I'm told I have woefully weak hips and incredibly tight fascia all around, from it band to knees to shins). I refuse to quit running, so I have to improve or I'm doomed to repeat the cycle of injury. I'm also becoming committed to my yoga mat, spending hours at ab workouts and Pilates.

My first race of the year is coming up at the end of February. I dont have a time goal but I'm treating it as a celebration of the fact that I missed a larger injury in spite of my own stupidity and stubborness, and a recommitment to whole-body fitness.

Here's to a year of meeting our goals, large and small. Simon, I'm thinking of you, and thankful for the way your post puts my running in larger perspective. It IS just running, after all.

K