Half Marathon Training .... too much too quick?

crazylucky
crazylucky Posts: 27 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello -

A few years ago, I used to regularly run. I had an injury, which is now healed, but I just haven't been able to get back into it at same levels I was before. My husband asked me to run a 5k race with him yesterday, and I remembered why I loved getting into races! It was so much fun!

I had always wanted to run a half marathon - closest I got was 12 miles while training for a half, but then the injury side-lined me. I haven't been running, but I'm in decent shape. I was able to run the entire 5k yesterday without stopping at a 10minute pace. I'm definitely sore today though! So my question....

There is a half marathon in my city on Feb 2. Is this too little time to train? I'd be pretty much starting from zero miles and don't want to injure myself again. I'm good at listening to my body - so I'm the type that would take a break rather than run while sore (which actually makes me think twice if I'll have the gusto to do this).

Thanks for your thoughts!!

Replies

  • MGreensides
    MGreensides Posts: 173 Member
    I think 12 weeks is very doable if you ran the 5k at that pace. There are a lot of training schedules available online for 12wks. And there's nothing more motivating then signing up for the actual race to ge your butt in gear lol.
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    Thats about 12 weeks, which would be pushing it (considering that you would want to taper the week before). If you want to look into a run-walk program, it might be doable, but I don't think it'd be the experience you're looking for. Is there a 10k associated with the half? That might be a more manageable goal. Lets say you can comfortably run 2 miles 3x a week right now (I'm estimating from the fact that you can run 3.1 miles at one go, but are sore after). If you increase by 10% per week (which is what is recommended), that only has you up to about 17 miles per week by the week before your race, and you would ideally want more. If its something you've always wanted to do, I'd suggest taking more time and training properly instead of rushing it.

    Also, what was the nature of your injury? That can play into it.
  • crazylucky
    crazylucky Posts: 27 Member
    Thanks - I think this is what my brain knows too... Although I do like to push myself.

    I live in Miami, so it's not easy to run during summers - it's just too hot outside for me to be comfortable. I think I started thinking this a bit too late for this season - and what a bummer that is!

    BUT after researching for an hour, just found out there is another half marathon on March 2.... that gives me the extra time needed :)

    Thanks for your well wishes! I need to spend the next 3 weeks building that 2-3 mile run base.

    My injury was I tore my labrum in my right hip in 2009, had surgery in 2010, and I'm rehabbed, but never got back into it. This 5k might have done the trick!

    Happy running!

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