Dilemma - Half Marathon or 10K

fionalyn

I have been training for the Kildare half marathon and all was going well until last Monday when I attempted to run the whole course. I live around the area so am aware of the cross winds/deceptive hills etc. as I entered the Curragh from Kildare Town (at about mile 9.5) I literally couldn't carry on, the wind and rain were very bad but my body wouldn't move. I ran the race last year and had a bad experience getting a stich at mile 8 and having to walk for a few miles and as a result a very bad time. I was aiming to finish in around 2.15 and was on course to do so (ran 11 miles in 1.54 a couple of weeks back) but now major doubt has set in :mad: and I'm afraid this will happen again and I'll hobble accross the line. I know I'm well able for the 10K and wonder if maybe I should change my entry to that race instead ??

Any advice appreciated.....

RayCun

Do the half.
On the day you'll have the encouragement (and shelter) of other runners, and you'll be more psyched up for the occasion. You already know you can do the 10k. Push your limits.

RoyMcC

Do the Half. It was a bad idea to train over the full course and it has given you negative thoughts. If you've trained well then you can approach it with confidence that your bad run is out of your system. You'll be grand.

You can do an old 10k any time.

Cabaal

Do the half, race day is ALWAYS different to a normal training run.

BrokenMan

Do the half as the others are saying.
You have nothing to gain by dropping back to the 10K and I think you would do yourself more damage mentally by 'giving up' at this stage.
Everyone has bad days in training at times just try to put it out of your mind and focus on the good training days.

rom

All you have to do it do better than last years time to get a PB.

fionalyn

Thanks guys for all the replies I'm feeling a little more confident think it's just a mental thing worrying I'll "give up" at a certain point (namely the 8 mile mark last year - Shesoon Stud) I just have to get in the right frame of mind, hopefully I'll cross the line in 2.15 or thereabouts ...;)

heavyballs

Cabaal wrote: »

Do the half, race day is ALWAYS different to a normal training run.

couldn't agree more,did my first race yesterday in the limerick half,did just under 1hr40,had not ran for 2 weeks prior to it,only for the pacers i reckon i would not have got near that time,would there be pacers in the Kildare one or is that just for the big ones?

fionalyn

heavyballs wrote: »

couldn't agree more,did my first race yesterday in the limerick half,did just under 1hr40,had not ran for 2 weeks prior to it,only for the pacers i reckon i would not have got near that time,would there be pacers in the Kildare one or is that just for the big ones?

There were last year 1.30, 1.45, 2.00 and 2.15 was planning on following the 2.15 guy and see how I go the only thing I would ask is how do people motivate themselves on race day ?? I did a 5 mile in the pheonix park a couple of years ago (part of the race series) it was my 1st ever race and there was loud music playing and a great atmosphere unfortunately it was not like that last year in Kildare and would envisage it would be the same this year.

HelenAnne

I'm doing this half as well (nervous as it's my first race of this distance!) and I'd second all the people saying to do the half. I have run a good few 10ks, and most of them were fine, but then a month or two ago I had a terrible race (a 9.5k) at one of the urban trails. Like you I got a stitch, got stomach cramps, had to walk a bit, did a terrible time etc etc). It really shook my confidence, so like you, I was very nervous about my next race of the same distance (The Slieve Bloom 10k last month). I decided I wasn't going to wear a watch and I was just going to take it very easy and enjoy the race. In the event, despite quite a hilly course, I ran quite well & really enjoyed it. I started out very conservatively and didn't pick up the pace until I felt confident and comfortable. I was sorry after I hadn't worn a watch as our times got lost, so I don't know how I did but I don't really care -- it definitely gave me my confidence back! I'd suggest pacing yourself and enjoying the race and not worrying about time. there'll be other races, so you could just use this one to get your half marathon confidence back.

earnyourturns

Go for the half, I'd never run more than 7.5 miles before my first half and enjoyed every second of the race

fionalyn

Thanks HelenAnne and earnyourturns and everyone for all your advice have had a good think and think you are all right I would be kicking myself if I dropped down to the 10K, I do have something to prove to myself by doing the half again hopefully the weather will be on our side and no delays at the start and we'll all have a great run. Thanks again for all your great advice