Training question for running 2 1/2 marathons

pbl1966
pbl1966 Posts: 207 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am planning on running two 1/2 marathons one month apart and looking for suggestions as to what my training should be like between the two. Both will be similar terrain and fairly flat. Was thinking maybe taper one week then repeat last three weeks of original training plan. Any thoughts from all the great runners out there?

Replies

  • runnergrlfl
    runnergrlfl Posts: 82 Member
    I did a half on 10/26, and I have another half on 12/1.

    I do two weekday runs that are 5-6 miles each, as that's my standard hour long run. I will maintain my long runs on Sat/Sun as follows:

    8 miles - weekend 1
    12 miles - weekend 2
    10 miles - weekend 3
    8 miles - weekend 4

    As luck (?) would have it, I also have a 10-mile race on Thanksgiving morning.

    On non-run days, I lift or do a long bike ride to cross train and keep it interesting.
  • pbl1966
    pbl1966 Posts: 207 Member
    I did a half on 10/26, and I have another half on 12/1.

    I do two weekday runs that are 5-6 miles each, as that's my standard hour long run. I will maintain my long runs on Sat/Sun as follows:

    8 miles - weekend 1
    12 miles - weekend 2
    10 miles - weekend 3
    8 miles - weekend 4

    As luck (?) would have it, I also have a 10-mile race on Thanksgiving morning.

    On non-run days, I lift or do a long bike ride to cross train and keep it interesting.
    Thanks for the reply. How did your legs feel that first week back and on the 8 miler. I ran a 5K 6 days after my first 1/2 and was still sore.
  • runnergrlfl
    runnergrlfl Posts: 82 Member
    Thanks for the reply. How did your legs feel that first week back and on the 8 miler. I ran a 5K 6 days after my first 1/2 and was still sore.

    I did a 6 mile run about 4 days after and felt good, the 8 mile was tough though. I'm typically only sore for a day or two after a half.
  • twinmom_112002
    twinmom_112002 Posts: 739 Member
    Are you planning on racing both? I ended up in a weird situation where I am running in a half on 11/17 and then planning on racing one on 12/29. The first race is the one I trained for and it was supposed the be my husbands first but he has a coaching obligation which is making him pull out so we signed up for the one on 12/29 together.

    I have a couple of 13's in my training plan so I am going to use the first one as a training run for the second.
  • pbl1966
    pbl1966 Posts: 207 Member
    Are you planning on racing both? I ended up in a weird situation where I am running in a half on 11/17 and then planning on racing one on 12/29. The first race is the one I trained for and it was supposed the be my husbands first but he has a coaching obligation which is making him pull out so we signed up for the one on 12/29 together.

    I have a couple of 13's in my training plan so I am going to use the first one as a training run for the second.

    That is a good question! I signed up for the second one with some friends that have never run one before and decided to do the other one because it is here in town and I hate to spend all that extra training time and only get one race out of it. I run pretty slow, 2:10 - 2:15 for a 1/2, so maybe I should try to push a little more on the first and relax and enjoy the second with my friends.
  • twinmom_112002
    twinmom_112002 Posts: 739 Member
    The idea of racing the first one for you and then relaxing with friends on the second is a great one!
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    A lot of people will do a 'taper in reverse' to get them back up to running in a month. Do your taper week, then your last 2 weeks of training, then another taper week before the second race. And yes, pick one to race and one to run. Good luck!
  • pbl1966
    pbl1966 Posts: 207 Member
    Thanks for the advice and inspiration, despite a not so stellar run this morning I am excited to tackle this challenge.
  • RunnerElizabeth
    RunnerElizabeth Posts: 1,091 Member
    I had a HM on October 13 and one coming up on Sunday. My long runs between were:

    HM
    11 miles
    5k
    10 miles
    HM

    The day of the 5k I decided to try for a PR while I was running and made it by 1:15. So I didn't run anymore that day. I'm tapering now. Sunday will be the test if it worked. I still feel prepared but I generally feel like I could run 13 or more miles on any given day, just not fast. I did end up with a HM pr in my last race by 30 seconds. I've got no specific plans for Sunday, just to have fun.

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