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I just did my first half too - Paris semi, last Sunday. Made it in 2h17 which was much better than anything I'd done in training (about 2h30) so I was quite pleased with myself. I also agree that all the years substance abuse haven't helped much.... Thing I'm most scared of though is the full marathon I've got coming up next month, as I wrote about here: https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/313991
So, I've still got a few weeks to go until April 8th, but my furthest distance so far is 15.5 miles (and I was intermittent walking the last mile or so), so I figure anywhere under 10h I will be happy.
My current dilemma is whether to keep on building the mileage up to 20m over the next two weekends, or whether to focus on interval training instead. I've had mixed advice...
d0cA-
First of all well done on the half marathon and taking on this challenge in a year with a lot of change.
With two weeks of training left you aren't going to make the world of difference either way unless you get injured so don't try and do anything too revolutionary, keep it as an evolution of previous training so no more than 10% total increase in distance or time each week (whichever is less) and bear in mind that for almost anyone the last 6 mile of a marathon are more about mental than physical strength so make sure you work t keep your confidence high.
Without knowing what you've done so far in detail I'd say add to your long run mileage, doing the run in what you plan to wear on race day and eating and drinking what you plan, Paris has some pretty old school offerings at the aid stations as I'm sure you saw at the semi; having to stop for an upset stomach will make it harder to get round.
So 17 miles this weekend and 18.5 the weekend after.
I'd strongly recommend that you plan your walking a bit more, and start early, i.e. run 3km and then walk for a minute throughout all the rest of your training and on race day, it's a better way of managing your energy, and if you practice it and accept it now you'll get better at getting going again after walking, and most importantly your positivity wont dip in the race when you do walk as its all part of the plan and strategy rather than a failure. Sounds odd I know, but I've done a 3:53 marathon walking for a minute after every 3km, it's infuriating for the first few breaks as people run past while you feel good but you quickly begin to look forward to them!
Sainsburys_Ed
The aggregation of minor gains, or something...
Ok so maybe further back in the past than a year? How long did your first half marathon take?
I'm just wondering if I'll ever improve with times, or have 25 or so years of various substance abuse just permanently ruined me.