halves 1 week apart

sammyneb

I am going to pace friend in her first half in September. It should be a really easy pace for me about 4 minutes a mile slower than I run a half. But that means I will be out there for a lot longer than I am used to. (I have ran one full last fall so I have been on my feet for longer)
But I am debating about running a half the week prior, not PR'ing but running it hard. It is a hilly run on country roads
I have ran 7 halves about to run my 8th so this isn't new to me..but I'm just not sure about racing a half then trying to pace a LONG half the next week.
My first goal is to get my friend across the finish line! But this other race, I ran it last year, and came 1 spot away from place metal (needless to say it is a small race) kind of want another crack at it...

SonicDeathMonkey80

I had the same experience running a half slower than I normally would (about 40% slower). I would plan for a little more heat than normal, but the good thing is that your HR won't be as high (mine capped at 125) and you can leisurely stroll the aid stations and pep your partner up.

Can you race the week before? Yep. Absolutely. Be sure to keep moving throughout the week and get some recovery pace runs in there so you're not stiff for the slow one.

ETA: I'd much rather have the race first followed by the slow run. I think you got this!

davemunger

I think if you are in good half marathon shape that shouldn't be too hard at all. I always tell people who are looking to PR in the half that they should be doing longer long runs anyways. Ideally you'd be hitting 15-17 on your longest runs in preparation for a half-marathon PR. You can recover quite quickly from a half if you are in that kind of shape so pacing your friend should be no problem.

RunFarLiveHappy

I did almost this exact thing in April. I raced a half on 04/06 and PR'd then paced someone 2:00/mile slower the following week 04/13. I felt great after the first half, especially coming off a PR and ran most of the week. The second half was brutal because it was windy, snowing, hailing, muddy, etc. Still finished pretty close to his goal time and he was even having cramping issues. It was also his first half Mary and you know the rest have to be better than that, lol.

rdennisjr

I did just this earlier this spring. HM #1 was at my over-winter training pace and I PRd - not fast, 2:14 which was about 10 minutes faster than the year before. Exactly one week later ran the Lincoln HM with my wife - her first. Ran at her pace of 2:30 for the whole time - felt very comfortable just being 10 minutes slower, walked the water tables, just kept moving. No issues, not even tired legs. Just get in at least a couple of short runs at a nice leisure place to get the legs loosened up again. Enjoy and let us know how it goes!