Race-related ponderings

rainbow kirby

I'm currently contemplating which races I'm going to enter for the rest of this year, and one big question is coming up for me.

To do Dublin, or to wait another year before I go for a marathon.

I've been running for about 8 months, have done 4 races in that time (2 5k races, a 5 mile and a 10k), and am up to about a 7 mile long run distance. Looking forward to being able to stretch that out over the summer.

What I'm really wondering is whether it would be better for me overall to continue at the shorter races, possibly working up to a half-marathon, or to build a stronger aerobic base by training for and doing the full in October and hope for improvements in the shorter stuff afterwards. I can see benefits to both, but I'm just wondering what you guys think!

RoyMcC

Most everyone here will say go for it Ms Kirby. I say that marathons can wait. Continue to enjoy your running and build up slowly. Enjoy one or two of the Half Marathons that are around (e.g. Longford, or further afield). See a Half as an achievement in itself, and an enjoyable distance.

If you do Dublin later this year (and I guess you probably could) then what have you got to look forward to afterwards?

Just my thoughts.

Running Bing

RoyMcC wrote: »

Most everyone here will say go for it Ms Kirby. I say that marathons can wait. Continue to enjoy your running and build up slowly. Enjoy one or two of the Half Marathons that are around (e.g. Longford, or further afield). See a Half as an achievement in itself, and an enjoyable distance.

If you do Dublin later this year (and I guess you probably could) then what have you got to look forward to afterwards?

Just my thoughts.

I agree with this.

I started running last June and did Dublin last year....while I dont regret it I certainly dont think its the best way to do things and Im focusing on shorter races now for the foreseeable future (but my long term goals still lie with the marathon).


I think there is plenty of time to be running marathons (Im assuming your a younger runner RK). The way I look at it is marathons will always be there but what little natural speed I have wont be. I think its pretty well accepted that the body gets better at longer distances and worse at shorter distances (to a point) as one gets older so it makes more sense to focus on shorter faster running when your younger.

rainbow kirby

@Babybing: I'm 24. I'm not naturally fast at all (5k race pace: 8.30/mile), but I'd like to improve what I *do* have!

In a way I'm seeing the half-marathon as a sort of a "sweet spot" distance for me - long enough to be a good endurance challenge, but still short enough to bring some natural speed to it.

Running Bing

rainbow kirby wrote: »

@Babybing: I'm 24. I'm not naturally fast at all (5k race pace: 8.30/mile), but I'd like to improve what I *do* have!

Oh god Im not a bit fast myself Kirby...when I said what "little speed I have" I really mean "little";) But like you I want to make the most of what I do have and personally I feel the best way for me to do that is to focus on short races first before moving to marathon.

In a way I'm seeing the half-marathon as a sort of a "sweet spot" distance for me - long enough to be a good endurance challenge, but still short enough to bring some natural speed to it.

Id say if your gut is saying half then half is probably a good distance for you. I think one of the things about running is it is so individual....what works for one person might be totally different for another person so just because Im doing it one way I dont think thats the ultimate way or the only way to do it...its just what makes sense to me.

RacoonQueen

RK - essentially it's how you feel about it. Only you can really know what you really want to go for. I started running in June '07 with the aim of running Dublin '07...I did and I was younger than you doing it. Now a load of miles later, a lot of races, a lot of training and a lot of disappointing times along with little speed I'm 5 days away from my first Ultra, again, younger than you are now. It may be my last Ultra for a while or it may be the beginning of a beautiful love affair(I imagine my feelings will shuffle between the two for the last 9 or so miles next sunday). I'm going for the Ultra because thats what my heart told me to do(much to my heads disgust).

If you decide on the half, the adidas race series, you get to do a 10 mile race the month before and see how well you progress. If it wasn't for the adidas race series I'd probably never have completed DCM '07 as I'd not have had distances to aim for each month and I certainly wouldn't be here now gearing up for 39.3 miles. You can do the 5 and 10 milers in the race series and not 'race' them and just use the half as your big one.

RacoonQueen

Oh and I don't feel at all ready for Sunday...but if the last 20 months or so has taught me anything it's - If you feel ready, you're not ready.

--amadeus--

IMO it depends on what motivates you. Do you enjoy the training? Do you enjoy the races? Which do you prefer? Do you enjoy racing for the pleasure of the race or the chance of setting a PB? Also how good are you at long term motivation?

If you settle into marathons then you'll probably end up only racing a couple of times a year. It works for a lot of people who enjoy training or for whom racing is the icing but running is the cake. It's also good if you can't race every couple of weeks (my family would mutiny if I attempted more frequent races!). It also needs a fair amount of discipline - getting out of bed on a wet day for a long run in preparation for a race that is a quarter of a year away can be tough.

So ask yourself some questions about *why* you run and you'll soon work out if it's time for teh marathon or not

Afterthought: A lot of people assume that if you run you have to do a marathon. I think everyone should, at some stage. It's not mandatory though.

robgordon

I'd do the ten miler in Aug, then see how ya feel. It's a really nice run, and your not far off that already.

shels4ever

Hi there,
Well I depends on what you really enjoy more, If you want to improve your times over 5-10k over the summer then you could do this and also fit in the half marathon in September . I wouldnt rush into doing the Marathon just yet as there will be lots of races during the summer that you can run (If your in marathon training you may need to skip some).

PS
I dont take my own advise...

cfitz

Juvenile cross-country runners generally don't run long distances - the length of their races is increased each year as they get older and stronger - by the time they are 18 their races might be about 5k - 8k. (Part of this is to do with tradition and culture, japanese kids might run further.) Anyway, my point is that if you only began running last year then you are closer to being a 15 year old kid in running terms, so therefore I'd suggest sticking to the shorter distances for the moment. Just my opinion of course.