5K, 10K, or Marathon Plans?

7lenny7

I'm registered for
25k trail race in April
Full marathon in May
5k road race in July
Two 4 mile and two 5.5k trail races in Sept and Oct

I'll likely sign up for a 10 mile next month, a 10k on July 4th, a half marathon in June, and perhaps a few more if I find the time and the registration fee isn't too steep. I'm also looking for a team to join for a Ragnar Relay Race in August.

Somebody_Loved

@katem999 @7lenny7 - You trail runners are impressive! My girlfriend asked me to do a 5 mile trail run with her last weekend which I agreed to thinking it would be a nice, easy 5 miles. WRONG. The entire time I was trying not to break an ankle. Completely different than road running, I had no idea.

7lenny7

Somebody_Loved wrote: »

@katem999 @7lenny7 - You trail runners are impressive! My girlfriend asked me to do a 5 mile trail run with her last weekend which I agreed to thinking it would be a nice, easy 5 miles. WRONG. The entire time I was trying not to break an ankle. Completely different than road running, I had no idea.

@Somebody_Loved, I just started trail regularly running about a month ago, so I know what you mean. My attempts last summer ended up with me feeling pretty beat up and I quit doing it because I was training for a half.

I decided to try it again late last fall and this time it stuck. Now I love it!

Here's the thing about trail running that is so much different than road running. While it does take more exertion per mile, utilizes more muscle groups, and is slower going for the same level of effort (about 1:30 minutes/mile slower for me), it's easier on your joints because of the softer running surface. Right now is an ideal time for trail running in Minnesota for me because my favorite trails are packed snow on top of dirt trails. Last weekend my marathon training plan called for a 10 mile long run. I went trail running and ended up with 13.8 miles. I was exhausted, but not beat up. A 10 mile road run would have been "easier" on my cardiovascular system, but harder on my joints. Since making this discovery I've decided that at least half of my long runs leading up to my marathon will be trail runs.

Somebody_Loved

7lenny7 wrote: »

@Somebody_Loved, I just started trail regularly running about a month ago, so I know what you mean. My attempts last summer ended up with me feeling pretty beat up and I quit doing it because I was training for a half.

I decided to try it again late last fall and this time it stuck. Now I love it!

Here's the thing about trail running that is so much different than road running. While it does take more exertion per mile, utilizes more muscle groups, and is slower going for the same level of effort (about 1:30 minutes/mile slower for me), it's easier on your joints because of the softer running surface. Right now is an ideal time for trail running in Minnesota for me because my favorite trails are packed snow on top of dirt trails. Last weekend my marathon training plan called for a 10 mile long run. I went trail running and ended up with 13.8 miles. I was exhausted, but not beat up. A 10 mile road run would have been "easier" on my cardiovascular system, but harder on my joints. Since making this discovery I've decided that at least half of my long runs leading up to my marathon will be trail runs.

That makes a lot of sense. My time was almost exactly 1:30 slower per mile, also. I have really weak ankles and since it had rained heavily the night before, the trail was really muddy. I have a half in March and a full in June so I was terrified I was going to get injured from dodging rocks, roots and mud. I think it's something I'd really enjoy, though, and it was absolutely beautiful.

Lindsay375

violet1723 wrote: »

Anyone have any plans to run any races this year? My goal is to run 5 5Ks in 2016. Wish me luck!

That was my goal that I achieved last year! My first 5K was in April and finished off my 5th on Thanksgiving.

Same goal this year, in addition to 5 I would like to get my time down to 35:00.

ASH_DVM

Training falling right in to place. Long run of 7 miles today with 6 weeks left till the first half.

ASH_DVM

Somebody_Loved wrote: »

7lenny7 wrote: »

@Somebody_Loved, I just started trail regularly running about a month ago, so I know what you mean. My attempts last summer ended up with me feeling pretty beat up and I quit doing it because I was training for a half.

I decided to try it again late last fall and this time it stuck. Now I love it!

Here's the thing about trail running that is so much different than road running. While it does take more exertion per mile, utilizes more muscle groups, and is slower going for the same level of effort (about 1:30 minutes/mile slower for me), it's easier on your joints because of the softer running surface. Right now is an ideal time for trail running in Minnesota for me because my favorite trails are packed snow on top of dirt trails. Last weekend my marathon training plan called for a 10 mile long run. I went trail running and ended up with 13.8 miles. I was exhausted, but not beat up. A 10 mile road run would have been "easier" on my cardiovascular system, but harder on my joints. Since making this discovery I've decided that at least half of my long runs leading up to my marathon will be trail runs.

That makes a lot of sense. My time was almost exactly 1:30 slower per mile, also. I have really weak ankles and since it had rained heavily the night before, the trail was really muddy. I have a half in March and a full in June so I was terrified I was going to get injured from dodging rocks, roots and mud. I think it's something I'd really enjoy, though, and it was absolutely beautiful.

I want to get back to trail runs as well. Love them, the scenery, and the group of people who usually run them.

MeanderingMammal

violet1723 wrote: »

Anyone have any plans to run any races this year? My goal is to run 5 5Ks in 2016. Wish me luck!

I was aiming for my first Marathon in March, but I've got a calf strain so behind plan. I may be able to do the trail half marathon that day instead.

After that I've got:

• Daylight 10K trail race, night 10K trail race, trail half marathon in May
• Trail marathon in June
• Trail 10K and trail HM in August
• Trail marathon in October
• Trail HM in December

yesimpson

Did a 10K in January, got a half and a 15K planned for the spring and a half in autumn.

mremmgee

Got my first HM in a month! So far have only run 10k, and really struggling to feel like I can run twice the distance in less than 4 weeks!!