How much time off between Half Marathons for a rookie?

brentb71

First a little history...
I started this fitness journey & myfitnesspal on 2/1/12 at 260 lbs and 41 years old. I started running in April 2012 and shortly after became hooked. I am currently at my goal weight of 175 lbs and still 41 years old :-). I mostly lurk on these forums and got some great advice doing so.

I don't really follow any training program and haven't raced or signed up for any race. I run every other day and elliptical & circuit train on non-running days. I take one day a week completely off, sometimes more if the weather isn't cooperating. Currently when the run falls on a weekday I run 35-40 minutes @ about a 9:25 pace so about 4 miles. Trying to go a little faster & farther each time. Whatever weekend day the run falls I do a longer run. The other weekend day is my off day. My last 2 long runs were 10 miles each on back to back weekends (10:45 pace).

My delimma...
I want to run a half marathon that is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2013. I also want to run one this is Feb. 23, 2013. I don't expect to be competitive in either. I just want to finish, have fun, and enjoy something I've come to love.
My running, specifically the long runs, will take a hit starting today due to a change in work schedule for the next 90 days. I will be working 10 hours days, 7 days a week with only every other weekend off. This schedule will hold until the end of December. I should be able to continue my 30-40 minute runs as well as cross training, but my long runs will take a hit due to the weekend work schedule and not having the time to fit a long run on work days.

So I guess I have a few questions.

Is a half marathon being my first ever race a bit too much? Should I start with a shorter distance?

Is Jan. 20 too soon since my training hampering work schedule won't end until late Dec.?

Assuming the Jan. 20 race is a go, is the Feb. 23 race too soon to race a 1/2 after racing a 1/2 a month prior?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

BrianSharpe

Congratulations on the weight loss and welcome to the world of running.

In light of the fact your work schedule will prevent you from significantly increasing your running volume I suspect going for a half-marathon in January is an injury waiting to happen. I'd even suggest February may be a bit too early. Running longer distances requires 2 different adaptations - there's the physical which includes aerobic capacity, bone density (you don't want stress fractures), ligaments tendons etc etc and there's the mental - you can be physically fit but if you haven't prepared mentally for a 2+ hour run it can be a very unpleasant experience.

Running is one of the few sports where the journey is just as enjoyable as the destination. Take your time, build up your distances gradually and enter a couple of 5K and 10K races before tackling a half-marathon (more to make your baptism into racing culture a little gentler - part of the mental aspect, you'll feel a lot less intimated with a few shorter races under your belt).

Have fun!

stuffinmuffin

Apart from the fact that those working hours (if imposed by one employer) are illegal, I'd say you should be fine to do the half marathon in February. I 'really' started my half marathon training plan six weeks before the race (though I have a history of running previously I'd taken about 2 months off to starting the training). I followed a training programme from 'Womens Running Magazine' but importantly I also did complete a half marathon during my training which I felt was key because then I knew what running that distance actually felt like. Like someone else commented, it is also about being as mentally prepared and physically.

brentb71

In light of the fact your work schedule will prevent you from significantly increasing your running volume I suspect going for a half-marathon in January is an injury waiting to happen. I'd even suggest February may be a bit too early. Running longer distances requires 2 different adaptations - there's the physical which includes aerobic capacity, bone density (you don't want stress fractures), ligaments tendons etc etc and there's the mental - you can be physically fit but if you haven't prepared mentally for a 2+ hour run it can be a very unpleasant experience.

Running is one of the few sports where the journey is just as enjoyable as the destination. Take your time, build up your distances gradually and enter a couple of 5K and 10K races before tackling a half-marathon (more to make your baptism into racing culture a little gentler - part of the mental aspect, you'll feel a lot less intimated with a few shorter races under your belt).

Have fun!

Thanks Brian.

iyo & considering my work schedule, would it be better to go for a shorter run (3-4 miles) every day instead of every other day while getting in a long run every other weekend.

jamers3111

Everyone is different. If you can run 10 miles right now I say you will be ready for January. In my experience if you can run 11-12 miles you will be able to run 13.1 with no problems since the adrenaline and scenery will push you. My body takes more time to recover. I have heard it takes about 1 day/mile for your body to recover. This is very true for me. I know others who can run half marathons 3 weeks in a row. I say you try to do a 5k or 10k between now and January... then choose one of those 2 half marathons. Again, this is just my opinion on what I have experienced as a runner (going on 15 yrs now). Good luck!