Now what???? Running advice please!

momof3and3

I started running over year ago in anticpation of competing in my first 1/2 marathon this weekend. I followed a training program that slowly built up my speed and indurance. Over the past 10 weeks I was training hard! Not only did I run accoroding to my "schedule", which was 4-5 days a week running;some days intervals, some days speed always with a long run every Sunday...I built myself up from struggling to complete 4 miles all the way to an easy 12 miles.I have been averaging about 20+ miles a week over the past 4 weeks. I also cross train, spinning, kickboxing, weight training, etc....

Unfortunately hurricane Irene has cancelled my 1/2 marathon. I am anticipating the birth of my first grandchild, basically any day now. My son and his wife are across the country from me, so when the baby is born I will be on the other coast. Signing up for another 1/2 marathon in the near future isn't an option because of the impending birth ( I don't want to sign up for one and then miss it)

my question: Now what? I will keep running 4-5 days a week, but on what type of schedule? Should I still run 20+ miles each week or should I cut my mileage back? Should I keep the "long" runs in (6 or more miles) or not?

buzzcogs

I would say "why not", unless the schedule cuts into your time too much. Congratulations on the grandchild! If you train they way you are doing, and your schedule can handle it, you will always be "1/2 marathon" ready, so to speak. Then if your 1/2 is rescheduled or another one comes up, you will have confidence and be able to run it, smoke it, and enjoy it!
In any case, even if you cut back, keep running!

Bronx_Montgomery

I say keep your current pace and run cross country to see them :-)

BerryH

Why not book a race in six weeks or so when you know you'll have time, then run the last six weeks of the programme again. You'll probably find you go faster over the shorter distances which could improve your time in the long run. Congratulations on becoming a grandmother (the youngest-looking I've ever seen!) and hope you can enter another race soon!

sister_bear

I'm one of those goofy 'things happen for a reason' people, so my reaction to this is that you weren't supposed to run that marathon. Go with the flow and things will fall into place. Maybe when you're visiting your new grand child you'll see an advertisement for the marathon you're supposed to run. Maybe when you get back you'll see a sign.

But I second keeping up your training, or just run for the enjoyment of it. A friend of mine went from training for a 5k, to a 10k, to marathons and then she stopped wearing her garmin and just started running for the sake of running because she enjoys it. She'll still run a 5/10k and a marathon, but her attitude on her preparation has changed dramatically.

rybo

That is a huge bummer.
I would still run at roughly your current level in hopes of finding another race relatively soon.
Good luck.

momof3and3

I say keep your current pace and run cross country to see them :-)

LOL...if the baby comes this weekend, I just might do that since the airports are a mess already!