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Another 18-20Miler or half marathon

  • 20-09-2009 9:46pm
    #1
    Mof4 firsttimer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2 ✭


    Hi Its my first marthon and the taining has been going ok. I'm not aiming for anything over ambitious would like to do it in about 41/2 hours but not sure what will happen on day.

    Ran 16.5 last week in 2hrs 53mins last week but yesterday ran 18.5 and found it very very hard. Had to walk for a while, it took me 3 hrs 32! couldn't belive how sore I was, had a bit of a crisis of confidence that I could finish the 26 on the day. Having said that was surprised that I felt back to normal a few hours later and was able to run 6miles today fine.

    So my question is with only five more weeks to go do I do the half marthon next Sat or get another long run under my belt since I found the last one sooooo hard! Or do I try to my long run in the middle of week and then the half marthon too????
    Any suggestions welcome.
    Cheers.


Comments

  • #2
    nosnagaoithe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 139 ✭✭nosnagaoithe


    Am in the same boat myself - did 17 miles yesterday and found last 3/4 excrutiating. Having registered for the half marathon this Sat, I'll either skip it and run an 18 mile LSR, or build an additional 5 miles around the race. After that just the 20 mile LSR before taper.... :rolleyes:


  • #3
    brutes
    Closed Accounts Posts: 106 ✭✭brutes


    Would certainly think at this stage that if you havent got the long runs done, you need to start!. Id skip the half and do 20 miles. The marathon is the aim so focus on that


  • #4
    hawkwing
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,863 ✭✭✭hawkwing


    I wonder why the half is a week later this year as the timing is wrong in my opinion if it supposed to be used for a build up to the marathon :confused:


  • #5
    average_runner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭✭average_runner


    To be honest i would do the half marathon and take it a bit easier on your runs this week, just let the body rest for half marathon. So maybe one 9 miler and one 5 miler.

    The following week you hit your training again and do the 20 miler, you be fresher!


    When we are training hard every week at some stage you will find your long run tougher than other weeks as your body is tired. But come the marathon you be rested and fresh from tappering. Just make sure you get a 20 miler in as this will stand to you big time. And try to get a run of over 3 hours on the road too but not over 22 miles, so maybe run a real slow long run, thats what i did yesterday a 10 min mile or 21 miles. Usually do a 9 min mile.

    My long runs read at the moment at 16, 18,19,20, 21 and will decide on one or two 20 milers after the half!

    These are just my thoughts and only my second marathon so i could have it totally wrong!!


  • #6
    Abhainn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,238 ✭✭✭Abhainn


    Skip the half marathon and do a long run instead


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  • #7
    bren74
    Closed Accounts Posts: 51 ✭✭bren74


    you have very little to gain by doing the half marathon apart from some pacing practise - long runs need to be a priority - confidence in staying on your feet for 3.5-4+ hrs is a necessity at this stage. Stick with your schedule of doing long runs at weekends -
    do a 19-20 this weekend followed by 16-18 the following.
    and dont worry - crisis of confidence will always occur, stay focussed and you will be fine


  • #8
    louthandproud
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 975 ✭✭✭louthandproud


    In the same boat myself, need to get a 20 miler in this weekend but am entered in the half. Might possibly jog the half at lsr pace and do 20 the next day or Monday.

    Would that be advisable?

    Alternatively I suppose I could run 7 miles to finish just before the start of the half and do both together?


  • #9
    bren74
    Closed Accounts Posts: 51 ✭✭bren74


    louthandproud wrote: »
    In the same boat myself, need to get a 20 miler in this weekend but am entered in the half. Might possibly jog the half at lsr pace and do 20 the next day or Monday.

    Would that be advisable?

    Alternatively I suppose I could run 7 miles to finish just before the start of the half and do both together?

    Unless there is some burning desire to participate in a half marathon I really wouldn't bother with it. If it is purely for preparation for the full marathon - I would do your LSR as planned and forget about the half. In terms of doing 7 miles before I would be cautious as you may get caught up at a race pace and end up over extending yourself. I would also be cautious about doing 13 miles followed by 20 two days later - you need to give your body a rest and unless you are accustomed to doing high mileage back to back I wouldn't risk this approach. At the end of the day it was the long runs that got me through not the half marathon.


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