Half marathon training

sdopps
sdopps Posts: 27 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am running my first half marathon in 17 days (July 13) and am looking for some advice on what I should be doing these last 2.5 weeks as far as runs/distance. I average 50-53 miles per week with my longest run being 12 miles. I usually do 7 to 8 miles per day and am wondering what I should run this Saturday (2 weeks before the race) as my distance? Should I run 10 miles that day or should it be less? How about after that? I just want to make sure that I'm not cutting myself down too soon before the race so that come race day I feel like I cut back too soon. I've worked too hard that I don't want to ruin this but I don't want to jip myself either by cutting back too soon and then come race day I'm not "ready."

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

Replies

  • iceax123
    iceax123 Posts: 13 Member
    IMO you are doing more than enough to complete a half.

    Before my first half my longest was 10 miles. I completed the run in 1hr52 and was happy ish with that.

    There is no need to have run the full distance before your big day, the adrenalin will get you through the rest.

    A
  • ATT949
    ATT949 Posts: 1,245 Member
    I am running my first half marathon in 17 days (July 13) and am looking for some advice on what I should be doing these last 2.5 weeks as far as runs/distance. I average 50-53 miles per week with my longest run being 12 miles. I usually do 7 to 8 miles per day and am wondering what I should run this Saturday (2 weeks before the race) as my distance? Should I run 10 miles that day or should it be less? How about after that? I just want to make sure that I'm not cutting myself down too soon before the race so that come race day I feel like I cut back too soon. I've worked too hard that I don't want to ruin this but I don't want to jip myself either by cutting back too soon and then come race day I'm not "ready."

    Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

    Wow, that's serious mileage to run without having a training plan.

    My suggestion - plug your numbers in here:

    http://smartcoach.runnersworld.com/smartcoach/

    And set up a training plan of, say, 12 weeks duration using the mileage that you've been running. When the site generates the plan, review the last few weeks of the plan and see how it fits into the running that you've been doing.

    The key element of tapering is to reduce the volume of your running but not the intensity.

    Congrats on the running and good luck in your race.
  • aswearingen22
    aswearingen22 Posts: 271 Member
    omg, that's a lot of miles every day! Do you ever take a rest day? Training plans generally cycle between easy and hard days with at least one complete rest day a week, seems like you're doing a lot of mileage at the exact same (distance/intensity). I honestly don't know exactly how to cut back, but for long run this weekend, I would say 10, then 8 the following weekend, then race day. I wouldn't be doing 7-8 every single day between now and race day, I'd shorten all but one of those runs and then the week of the race, I'd do something like:

    Monday - easy 3-4 miles
    Tuesday - 3 miles with last 2 at race pace
    Wednesday - rest
    Thursday - easy 3 miles + 5 strides
    Friday - easy 2 miles or rest
    Saturday - race

    Then for your next race, I'd recommend a training plan. Check out Hal Higdon's, they're all on his website and free. You could integrate some speed work with your training and vary your distance/effort.
  • chard_muncher
    chard_muncher Posts: 75 Member
    50 mi/wk seems like a lot to just be winging it. If you care about this race you would want to be peaking soon.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    As very general rule of thumb you would only taper for the week leading up to the race.

    Here's a link to Hal Higdon's Intermediate half-marathon plan

    http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51132/Half-Marathon-Intermediate-Training-Program

    he has a 12 mile run a week out from the race and then a very light taper week.
  • DavidMartinez2
    DavidMartinez2 Posts: 840 Member
    Then for your next race, I'd recommend a training plan. Check out Hal Higdon's, they're all on his website and free. You could integrate some speed work with your training and vary your distance/effort.
    Based on the mileage you are getting, I would forget about the Half training plan and start a Full training plan, you are in a great postion for a fall marathon.

    As for your half in two weeks, I suggest dialing back to single digits on your long run and take 2 rest days a week. For the week of the plan aswearingen offred will work well.
  • aswearingen22
    aswearingen22 Posts: 271 Member
    Based on the mileage you are getting, I would forget about the Half training plan and start a Full training plan, you are in a great position for a fall marathon.

    Yea, or that. 50-55 miles/week is more miles than I'll be running during peak marathon training this summer for my first marathon in October.
  • Kath712
    Kath712 Posts: 1,263 Member
    IMO you are doing more than enough to complete a half.

    Before my first half my longest was 10 miles. I completed the run in 1hr52 and was happy ish with that.

    There is no need to have run the full distance before your big day, the adrenalin will get you through the rest.

    A

    This ^^^ My longest run was 10 miles and that was exactly one week before my half. I had no ill effects. And I've seen many articles that say you don't have to run the full distance during your training. As proof, my friend trained a lot harder than me and ran the full distance two weeks before our half. I worked up to 10 and stopped there (was actually a 10 mile race). She finished 10 minutes before me, which is about what I expected. Could I have been faster, maybe. But I finished in the time I expected (2:30). Most importantly, enjoy it!!
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    Bumping for later.
  • amyx593
    amyx593 Posts: 211 Member
    My longest run was 10miles, 2 weeks before my HM. My training had 3-4mi runs on Tues/Thurs and long runs on Saturdays. The Saturday before my race, I ran 5 miles. I ran 2 miles two days before the race and rested the day before.
  • Jaja_Joli
    Jaja_Joli Posts: 17 Member
    In the last 2 weeks you also need do some runs at your half-marathon pace to have a good feel of the pace and become more efficient running it. The runs don’t need to be super long, Anything between 5 to 10K.

    Good luck and have fun!!!
  • alg121710
    alg121710 Posts: 16 Member
    bump

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