13.1

tomcornhole

I've got an itch to just go out and run 13.1 miles. Done a lot of 5k runs, a couple of 10k and today was supposed to be a 5k that turned into a very enjoyable 10k. Should I just keep going until I'm done or is that folly for injury? I think I have 13.1 in the tank and would love to just do it.

Thoughts are welcome.

fixed the math problem

Tom

BChanFit

I would say you're ready for the half marathon - 13.1, but if you wanted that extra 10th of a mile go for that too. When I registered for my first HM (3 days before the race) my longest distance was the 10k. Doable - have fun!

Hophead43

Just go for it!! IF you feel like you have some in the tank by all means run it out.

The_Enginerd

I would work up to the HM distance by doing an intermediate HM training plan for someone who can already comfortably do a 5k/10k distance.

I tried going too far too fast, and it bit me in the *kitten*, so I would not recommend just going out and banging out 13 miles even if it feels like you can.

VeryKatie

You can always stop if you need to. You could also consider a 10 mile run

goanothermile

Could you do it? Maybe.

Should you do it? Not yet.

Sounds like you have done a 6 mile run a couple of times and you want to jump to over twice that distance. Your risk of injury will be a lot higher than it needs to be.

I speak from experience. I'd done a full marathon and several half marathons spread over a few years. I was getting back into training earlier this year and made a training error and ended up sidelined with some painful physical therapy. It happens.

Take a few weeks and work up to it. Increase your weekly mileage by 10% per week until you can build the long run up some more.

You can still accomplish your goal. Nothing to lose by taking a patient and smart approach to it.

SLHysell

I seriously injured my knee trying to go from a 15K to a half-marathon too quickly. I heartily recommend ramping up slowly. The too-much-too-soon injury has cost me over six months so far.... Don't let the same happen to you.

On an up note, I'm running again now, but I'm way back at the under 5K mark while my knee(s) fully recuperate.

BonworthVonFattyPants

The 10% advice is solid. Going from 6 -> 13 without stopping at 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 ... it's just not worth the risk.

brandiuntz

Build up to it. I can tell you from experience the body starts acting differently as soon as your runs get longer. Risk of injury jumps when you quickly add too many miles.

The advice to add 10% to your weekly mileage is good. When I specifically train for a half, I follow a 10 week plan that adds a mile to my long run of the week until I've run up to the 12.5 mile distance 2 weeks before the race.

Enjoy the experience of adding miles. To me, it's training for a race that makes it worth it.

juliep1974

I'm with all the increase by 10% people. I built too quickly and ended up with a stress fracture. It really isn't worth the risk of injury.