10 miles to half marathon..training question

AsellusReborn
AsellusReborn Posts: 1,112 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am training for a 10mile race on 11/10 and the training is going fine, I've really enjoyed it. My goal is to finish rather than a time goal - I'm a slow runner.

I would really like to do a half marathon eventually. My husband pointed out that there is a HM 3 weeks after my 10 mile which I guess technically I could do but since that will be my longest race I think I'd like to recover after instead. There is a half marathon on January 13 that I would like to do, but I'm curious how more experienced runners would approach that kind of schedule since I will have completed a 10 mile race 14 weeks before the HM - do I run 3 3mile runs for 2 weeks and then start a 12 week program and rebuild ground up? I feel like I might actually lose progress that way but wanted to get the perspective of racers who have more experience than I do.


Thanks!

Replies

  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    A lot depends on how you choose to approach the 10 miler, if you wanted to run the half 3 weeks later treat the 10 mile one like a long training run (assuming you've already been running close to this distance it wouldn't be too big a leap the the HM distances - many training plans cap your longest run at 10 miles).

    On the other hand I'd probably want to perform as best I could in both races which would mean running the best possible time you can on the 10 mile, taking a week or two easy to recover and then ramping up for the half in January. Assuming that you felt good after the 10 mile race I'd probably jump right into the 2nd half of the HM training plan and repeat each week, basically building on the fitness you've already achieved.

    I'm actually in a similar position to you. I have a half coming up in January and am signed up for my first marathon in May but because of the difference in distances the marathon plan picks up nicely where the half marathon leaves off.
  • Cheeta_HH
    Cheeta_HH Posts: 489 Member
    I've been wondering about the same thing! I'm curious to read advice from experienced runners. I have a 15K on November 4 and I'm planning to do a half the first week of May.

    My tentative plan is to cut my running down to 3 days a week and spend more time in the gym doing strength training from November until February, and then start a 12- week half training plan.

    I'm a little worried about losing some of my progress too, but I also feel like it's time to switch things up a little.
  • natalie412
    natalie412 Posts: 1,039 Member
    I have only been running for about 8 months, so not an expert, but I have run 2 HMs, one race and one training run. A lot of people only run 10 miles before an HM, so technically you would be ready for the one 3 weeks later. It really depends on how you feel. I ran my 2nd HM the week after my race. You will probably want to take at least 2 days off, and then do some slow short runs the first week.

    If you choose to do the one in January, I would continue to do one long run per week. You could scale them back to maybe 7-8 miles and slowly build up - maybe even alternating longer and slightly shorter runs each long run day. If you want to follow a program, you could start one midway through and just stretch it out a bit, if you want to keep up your mileage.

    My general schedule is 2 5 miles runs during the week, and then a longer run of 7-10 miles on the weekend. I am starting to add some 2 more short runs (1.5 - 2.5 miles) during the week as well.
  • srcardinal10
    srcardinal10 Posts: 387 Member
    If you were training for a half marathon, then the 10 mile race would be on track for your training schedule. I've run a few half marathons and did a training program through fleet feet. It just really depends on what you want.

    It's absolutely possible to do the half. It's only 3 more miles, just keep running and be sure not to do any long runs (more than 7 miles) a week before the half marathon. Don't forget to REST. It's just as important as running.
  • RenewedRunner
    RenewedRunner Posts: 423 Member
    I don't know where you are running wise (is this your first 10 miler ever, have you been base building a while and just amped up), but you can do back to back. Depending on well you recover. The Seattle half KILLed me one year-no way I could have ran far again in 3 weeks.

    Here is an intermediate training plan, I love Higdon and his plans are pretty solid:
    http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51132/Half-Marathon-Intermediate-Training-Program

    If this is the first time you ever attempted this kind of distances/haven't been running long, I would go with something like this:
    http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51312/Half-Marathon-Novice-2-Training-Program

    You can use the McMilan pace calculator to help you ensure you are running the right speeds for the right workouts, though I did find that on race day I did better than it predicted. Something to be said about the power of euphoria!!! ;)
  • bahacca
    bahacca Posts: 878 Member
    It sucks, but it 100% depends on the runner. My longest run prior to my 1/2 was 10 miles. BUT, if I had run it like a RACE, I'm not sure I would have wanted to do a 1/2 3 weeks later. If you treat it as a training run and have been ramping up, then I say go for it. If you were going for time, I'd say wait until the January 1/2.
  • AsellusReborn
    AsellusReborn Posts: 1,112 Member
    A lot depends on how you choose to approach the 10 miler, if you wanted to run the half 3 weeks later treat the 10 mile one like a long training run (assuming you've already been running close to this distance it wouldn't be too big a leap the the HM distances - many training plans cap your longest run at 10 miles).

    On the other hand I'd probably want to perform as best I could in both races which would mean running the best possible time you can on the 10 mile, taking a week or two easy to recover and then ramping up for the half in January. Assuming that you felt good after the 10 mile race I'd probably jump right into the 2nd half of the HM training plan and repeat each week, basically building on the fitness you've already achieved.

    I'm actually in a similar position to you. I have a half coming up in January and am signed up for my first marathon in May but because of the difference in distances the marathon plan picks up nicely where the half marathon leaves off.


    No, it's a novice training plan so the longest run is actually race day, which is why I'm thinking the HM 3 weeks later - while possible - might be pushing the limits of what I'll be capable of. My longest run during training will be 8 miles - I am fully confident I can do the 10 miles, but I feel like for me at this stage in my running leaping straight from my highest mileage into a HM might just...well, I feel like it's an injury risk and while I've had no injuries thus far - knock one wood, I actually feel amazing absent some skinned knees - I just am afraid to get too cocky and push to hard. I feel like I could probably do the HM 3 weeks afterward but I think planning for the January one is probably a better idea for me...hope that all makes sense, it was a little ramble.

    I like the idea of going into the second half of the HM plan and just doubling up on weeks. That both cuts my mileage for some recovery time without me feeling like I'd be losing a lot of what I gained...that would set me back to 7 mile long runs, which sounds about right I think. Thank you!


    Vereushka thank ytou - that makes a lot of sense.


    Hhymilito, that's exactly my worry - I'm just so happy with what I've achieved I hate to lose any of it, you know?


    Srcardinal...that's true. I've compared novice HM plans with the Hal Higdon 10 mile I've been using and it just seems like my mileage isn't ramping up to HM levels though - I'm 3 weeks away from race day now so it's too late to wonder if I'm not running enough miles, I feel committed lol. I feel really good after my long runs but the HM plans do seem to schedule a lot more miles, which makes me a little nervous to push for the Turkey Trot HM. I definitely do take my rest days - thank you! :)


    Kjf0528 - this will be my first 10 mile ever and my longest run ever, actually. I am looking at the link you gave - the Novice 1 is the one I had been looking at but that stops at a long run of 10 mile while novice 2 goes to 12 mile. I didn't even think of looking at the more advanced plan because I feel so new to this but I actually do think that makes more sense with where I am...thank you!

    Edit: Bahacca, I think I am too slow of a runner to worry about a time goal, heh! :) I just want to finish so I guess right now they're all training runs, even when I happen to be doing a race that day.
  • cPT_Helice
    cPT_Helice Posts: 403
    A lot depends on how you choose to approach the 10 miler, if you wanted to run the half 3 weeks later treat the 10 mile one like a long training run (assuming you've already been running close to this distance it wouldn't be too big a leap the the HM distances - many training plans cap your longest run at 10 miles).

    On the other hand I'd probably want to perform as best I could in both races which would mean running the best possible time you can on the 10 mile, taking a week or two easy to recover and then ramping up for the half in January. Assuming that you felt good after the 10 mile race I'd probably jump right into the 2nd half of the HM training plan and repeat each week, basically building on the fitness you've already achieved.

    I'm actually in a similar position to you. I have a half coming up in January and am signed up for my first marathon in May but because of the difference in distances the marathon plan picks up nicely where the half marathon leaves off.

    I agree 100% with this poster. The main thing right now is to avoid injury and to enjoy these racing experiences, whether you are going for time or just to finish. It sounds to me like you are not really comfortable with the 1/2 so soon after. As they say..... you can't run someone else's race. Everyone must run their own race. Do what you feel best with and reread above post. :) Good Luck!
  • RenewedRunner
    RenewedRunner Posts: 423 Member
    I love Higdon's plans, and since you have a little time, adding that pace/tempo run will really help you.

    My first half I did Novice 1. My second half a pseudo Novice 2 and dropped 13 minutes off my time, which I contribute a lot to those tempo runs. I alternated hills one week/tempo the next.
  • draculaspointer
    draculaspointer Posts: 106 Member
    It might be pushing it to do the half 3 weeks after your 10 miler...IF the 10 miler was difficult for you to finish. If you were able to finish the 10 miler and feel good, you probably could do the half shortly after. A lot depends on how sore/tired you are after the 10 miler and how many days of rest you need. I have a half this Sunday, then a half 3 weeks later. So I plan on running the half this Sunday to finish (first one ever), then next week I have a 5K race and will add 7 easy miles afterwards to total 10. The week after Ill do 5 miles, then the week after is my next half. Those are just my Sunday run distances. I run 3-4 times a week and I only plan on taking 1 full rest day after this weekend's half, then 2 light days.

    The main thing is to listen to your body.
  • AsellusReborn
    AsellusReborn Posts: 1,112 Member
    So just to update this - I do still plan on doing the half marathon in January, but I'm going to go for the November HM too. My training run yesterday was supposed to be 8 miles, but I got super lost and actually ended up doing a 10 mile run. I felt really good after my run and I still feel good today - a little stiff, but nothing some stretching and a walk won't cure. So with 2 10 mile runs under my belt I feel good tackling the Turkey Trot Half Marathon - I'll register after my 10 mile next week just to make sure two 10 milers don't result in something unexpected, but I feel pretty darn awesome right now.

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