Back to back races??

Nikstergirl

I have a question for anyone who has run a marathon. I am looking forward to running my first this fall and I would also like to run a half the week before. The half is the same one I ran last fall and it's a great local race and I'd like to run it again to see what a difference I can make in my time, but also just because it's a great local race.

So my question is, is a half marathon the week before a marathon a good idea or a crazy idea? Is that long enough for the last "long" run before the marathon or should I add a few more miles that day? It's a long way off, but I'd like to start planning and get my entries in soon.

Thanks for any input!!!

rybo

If u care about ur marathon time i would not "race" the half. But if u did it very easy just to participate then it shouldnt b that big a deal. U are in to ur taper by then i certainly wouldnt add more miles.

Nikstergirl

Thanks, that makes sense and it's what I kinda figured. Any other opinions out there???

FoxyMcDeadlift

A week is far to close. I ran a half today, with a full marathon in 3 weeks time, and even with that gap, i didnt "race" because the marathon is the goal

arc918

I agree, it will work fine as long as you don't race it. Just run it a your normal long run training pace.

I wouldn't add any extra miles that day. Even with a two week taper you probably wouldn't want to run any more than13 the week before your marathon.

essjay76

What everyone has said - treat it like a training run. Try not to get caught up in the excitement of race day. :-)

I once full out raced a half about 3 weeks before a full and I was still not fully recovered from it.

Nikstergirl

Ok, thanks for all the input! I think I'll do it but just use it as a training run and not go full-out. I really want to be able to finish the full strong!

I appreciate this!

ebaymommy

A week is far to close. I ran a half today, with a full marathon in 3 weeks time, and even with that gap, i didnt "race" because the marathon is the goal

I agree, I think it's too close as well.

For the past 2 years I've run a 20K that works out to be 2 weeks before a full marathon and it has made running the marathon hard. This year I'm dropping the 20K in favor of wanting to run a good full. I'm doing a 1/2 marathon in a few weeks.....about 8 weeks out from my full in June.

I would ONLY run the 1/2 marathon if you can trust yourself to take it very, very slow. 13 miles is more than recommended to run the weekend before a full anyway....I've never run more than 6-8 the weekend before my fulls.

There's nothing more miserable than bonking at mile 16-20 of a marathon because you pushed too hard/too far too close to marathon day. Trust me, I've been there and it isn't pretty.

Nikstergirl

Thanks, ebaymommy... I'll definitely remember that. I think once I get my schedule finalized I'll decide if it fits or not.

brandyk77

A week is far to close. I ran a half today, with a full marathon in 3 weeks time, and even with that gap, i didnt "race" because the marathon is the goal

I agree, I think it's too close as well.

For the past 2 years I've run a 20K that works out to be 2 weeks before a full marathon and it has made running the marathon hard. This year I'm dropping the 20K in favor of wanting to run a good full. I'm doing a 1/2 marathon in a few weeks.....about 8 weeks out from my full in June.

I would ONLY run the 1/2 marathon if you can trust yourself to take it very, very slow. 13 miles is more than recommended to run the weekend before a full anyway....I've never run more than 6-8 the weekend before my fulls.

There's nothing more miserable than bonking at mile 16-20 of a marathon because you pushed too hard/too far too close to marathon day. Trust me, I've been there and it isn't pretty.

THIS

too close for a quality marathon. you just need to decide your goal