Yesterday was really nice outside so I took advantage of it and went on a short run by the river with some friends. I was planning on going 10 miles over the weekend but they aren't big runners so we stuck with 3. I'm hopefully going to get the 10 miles in today.
Speaking of long runs and only having a few weeks left before the race, I am looking for advice from all of you pro-half marathoners. Do you think that running 1 medium (8 miles) and 1 long run (10 miles) in week 1, 1 long run (10 miles) in week 2, and the race (13 miles) in week 3 is good or too much? I don't know if I should be running a long run the week before the race or not.
I also don't know if I should make one of the long runs 13 miles instead of 10. I have never ran anything longer than 10 so I'm a little concerned about the race.
Sorry for making this post so short but I don't really have too much on my mind to blog about today other than asking for advice from you!
I saw this on Pinterest and loved the quote so I thought I would share.
Question
Should I run 13 miles before the race? Am I doing too many long runs?
I always try to get in a 13-14 mile run before a half. It makes me feel more confident knowing I can hit the distance. There are so many plans, however, that never have you running more than 10 miles and they work too. Maybe try to go for 12 2 wks before then 10 the week before if you can.
ReplyDeleteI agree - I want to feel confident before the race knowing I can hit 13 miles
DeleteI usually try to get in an 11 or 12 mile run before the race. I don't think you need to do 13 miles before the race, you will be fine! Also, it is totally personal preferance if you want to do a long run the week before, either way is just fine. Some people like to do a long run and some people like to rest. I tend to do a long run, because it keeps me in the running groove for the half the next weekend. . . either way - you are going to rock it! :)
ReplyDeleteYes I need to stay in the groove!!
DeleteHey! I'm a fellow SPA :)
ReplyDeleteI only ran 7 miles before my first half (for a bunch of reasons), and I finished. Hurt my foot, but I finished.
My program for my upcoming half now only gets me to 10 miles. I'd say 10 miles is totally sufficient, because adrenaline will carry you through the other 3.1!
I already have an adrenaline rush just thinking about the race! Hopefully it kicks in!
DeleteI am definitely not a pro and I am running my first half here in just a few weeks, but I am following the Hal Higdon Novice 1 schedule. Maybe take a look at it and compare it to what you are doing. I know that the schedule only has you running 10 miles before. I have changed that a tad and I am running 12 the week before. I thought 3.1 miles was just too far of a jump for me from last training run to race.
ReplyDeleteI have taken a look at his and I like it a lot! Good luck on your half
DeleteThey say that if you can run 10, you can run 13 and adrenaline will take you the rest of the way. And for all my half marathons (9), that's been true. Even when I hadn't run longer than 6 miles in weeks leading up to halfs (I tend to do a lot close together) :) you'll find that the adrenaline and sheer pride of knowing you're about to FINISH a half marathon will take you farther than you think!
ReplyDelete10 miles is a good place to be, and if you feel good, go for 11. Why not? It's a great idea to taper leading into the race so you're running your farthest on fresh legs.
Good luck!
Someone told me if you can run 4 then you can triple that mileage easily if you have to! I don't know if I believe that but I believe if you can run 10 you can do 13
DeleteMy husband and I only ran up to 10 miles, the weekend before, our first half marathon. So at the time of the race our PDR was 10 miles. Since then we have both run a bunch of half marathons and we don't necessarily train for them anymore. I don't think you need to do 13 miles beforehand, you could do up to 11 or 12 if you felt your really needed to but adrenaline will help get you through it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very exciting time for you!
Thanks for the advice!
DeleteI don't run the full 13 before the race. By the week before the race you've already built the endurance you have. If you can run 10 miles, you can run 13. The most I ran before my first half was 11.5 miles and I did great! Rest up!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I will definitely taper soon then!
DeleteYou're totally fine. I've run 20 halfs, and only when I was marathon training did I run more than 10 miles in preparation. A lot of plans have you stop at 10 miles, and at this point, you only risk hurting yourself by doing too much.
ReplyDelete20 halves?! you go girl!
DeleteHey! So first, I'm not a professional half marathoner, but I have one under my belt and am currently training for another. Second, I'm a personal trainer so I'm comfortable giving you this advice: Typically, the week before a big event, you're supposed to taper your training efforts so that you don't overtax your system. My current training plan has me running 12 miles the weekend before race weekend. The last time I ran a half, 10 miles was my greatest distance and I remember thinking that it wasn't enough. That said, every runner is different. If you're used to running longer distances, it might be enough for you. My advice? Listen to your body. Space out your long runs. Make sure your cross training isn't to straining. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's the thing... I don't do as much aerobic cross training as I should. I normally only run, strength train, and do some cardio/strength circuits. I think I will stick to 10 miles because everyone seems to think it is enough! Thank you
DeleteI have only completed one half marathon but I ran 9 miles the week before. I have another one on 4/28. I will run 8 miles on 4/20 and then taper.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the advice! It's great knowing how far others run before the race
DeleteFrom my one-time half-marathon experience, you do not need to run 13.1 before the race. My longest run was 2 weeks prior and I ran 11 miles. I think you'll want to have at least one lower mileage (6 or 7 miles) week before your race. It would be awful to be injured or tired for the actual event!
ReplyDeleteThanks Becky! being injured would be horrible!
DeleteI'm a bit confused by what your mileage hopes were but, to me, it sounds like a lot. Many plans max out at 10 miles and so I wouldn't feel an insane urge to go over that without proper build-up. The last thing you want to do is overtrain, get injured and miss race so close.
ReplyDeleteMy advice - this week: 10 miles on Monday; 3-5 Wednesday; 6 Thursday; 10-12 miles over the weekend; next week: two to three runs of 3-6 miles (only one 6-miler) and an 8-miler; race week: a 5-miler early week then two three-milers. I should say that I'm not a coach or expert and my advice should be taken as that - advice.
Don't worry, though! Many people successfully complete half-marathons with 8 or fewer miles under belt. YOU GOT THIS!
Great outline of what I should run! I think I will do that!
DeleteHi Danielle! I only have a few distance races under my belt, but I'm pretty sure it just depends on the person.
ReplyDeleteI tend to run one last long run (10 miles for a half) the weekend before the race, and have never had a problem...but I know many training plans have that last long run scheduled for two weeks prior.
If you're feeling good and want to squeeze in that last long run in the week before the race, I'm sure you'll be fine as long as you take it show and listen to your body. Good luck! :-D
I'll definitely take it slow to avoid pre-race injuries!
DeleteMaybe make one of your long runs 11 or 12, but I wouldn't jump your mileage up to 13 if you've only ever run 10. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice Lisa!
DeleteI have been a run coach for 5+ years and coached many runners to their first half and I never have them go over 10 miles distance wise, maybe 12 if they are experienced. I would say no to the 10 mile race week, it will mean your body needs longer to recover and not be fully refreshed for the race.
ReplyDeleteOkay thank you! Great advice. I really need a personal run coach I swear!
DeleteEveryone is different so if you are feeling good and want to do the 10 mile run before your half then go for it. Just listen to your body and you'll be fine!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice!
DeleteMy plan has me running 12 miles 3 weeks before the race and then tapering the weeks after that before the half!
ReplyDeleteI've run 3 halfs now. My longest training run for each of them has been 10 miles. I think this is suggested for beginner runners. If you were training for speed, this advice may change.
ReplyDeleteAlso I'm a beiver in taper. So I would change your week 2 to a 6 mile run. But it's personal preference. I know I run better on fresh muscles.
Good luck! Have fun! I'm about to post a review of the half I just did Sunday....check it out!