Half Marathon Training
heath0309
Posts: 2
My FIRST half is 5 weeks from yesterday. I'm not a cold weather runner. I have asthma and it pains me to run in cold weather. Here in PA, we've had one of the worst winters (for me anyway) that I can remember. I was training on the treadmill and not as often as I should have been because I HATE the treadmill. I honestly just feel like I get no where... I much prefer running outside. In the past two weeks or so, we've had decent weather, so I tried to take my runs outside. It about killed me. I couldn't do it. And I hate saying that, but I felt like I couldn't even run 3 miles without wanting to die. I've been so discouraged that yesterday (it was VERY windy, but 65 degrees)... I tried to run and couldn't even make it a half a mile without needing to stop. I've never had this problem before. I'm beyond upset with myself that I didn't push harder on the treadmill or force myself to run outside in the cold weather. I've come to realize... I need to plan to do a half where training doesn't need to take place in the colder months. However, I have people counting on me to run this in 5 weeks. Also, so many people know I'm signed up for this, that I don't want to look like a failure for not doing it. I KNOW I can't get up to run the whole thing. I realize that. It took me awhile to come to that realization, however, only because I don't want to look like an idiot for having to walk. It's my first half, so I'm not interested in a certain time anyway, I just want to finish it. I'm doing this with my fiancé's family (who have ran these long distances before) and I'm afraid I won't even be able to make it 5 miles without having to stop. I guess I'm just looking for any tips/suggestions on what to do in the next 4-5 weeks. I also know I don't stay hydrated enough throughout the day (major problem, I know). Should I do a run-walk type thing... and is that something I will just have to figure out on my own because only I know my own ability? Will there be others that do the same thing? I'm so nervous for this, and I truly do love running and the feeling it gives me... I just fell way behind on this training thing with the weather, hating the treadmill, work, and wedding planning (I know... excuses... I shouldn't have any!) ... again, I know I won't be running this whole thing. But is it okay to run-walk? Sorry for the long ramble... I just really need some ... motivation I guess. Any help is greatly appreciated. I'm hoping to look for a half to do in the fall... as I can handle running in hot weather more so than I can cold weather.
0
Replies
-
My FIRST half is 5 weeks from yesterday. I'm not a cold weather runner. I have asthma and it pains me to run in cold weather. Here in PA, we've had one of the worst winters (for me anyway) that I can remember. I was training on the treadmill and not as often as I should have been because I HATE the treadmill. I honestly just feel like I get no where... I much prefer running outside. In the past two weeks or so, we've had decent weather, so I tried to take my runs outside. It about killed me. I couldn't do it. And I hate saying that, but I felt like I couldn't even run 3 miles without wanting to die. I've been so discouraged that yesterday (it was VERY windy, but 65 degrees)... I tried to run and couldn't even make it a half a mile without needing to stop. I've never had this problem before. I'm beyond upset with myself that I didn't push harder on the treadmill or force myself to run outside in the cold weather. I've come to realize... I need to plan to do a half where training doesn't need to take place in the colder months. However, I have people counting on me to run this in 5 weeks. Also, so many people know I'm signed up for this, that I don't want to look like a failure for not doing it. I KNOW I can't get up to run the whole thing. I realize that. It took me awhile to come to that realization, however, only because I don't want to look like an idiot for having to walk. It's my first half, so I'm not interested in a certain time anyway, I just want to finish it. I'm doing this with my fiancé's family (who have ran these long distances before) and I'm afraid I won't even be able to make it 5 miles without having to stop. I guess I'm just looking for any tips/suggestions on what to do in the next 4-5 weeks. I also know I don't stay hydrated enough throughout the day (major problem, I know). Should I do a run-walk type thing... and is that something I will just have to figure out on my own because only I know my own ability? Will there be others that do the same thing? I'm so nervous for this, and I truly do love running and the feeling it gives me... I just fell way behind on this training thing with the weather, hating the treadmill, work, and wedding planning (I know... excuses... I shouldn't have any!) ... again, I know I won't be running this whole thing. But is it okay to run-walk? Sorry for the long ramble... I just really need some ... motivation I guess. Any help is greatly appreciated. I'm hoping to look for a half to do in the fall... as I can handle running in hot weather more so than I can cold weather.
I've spotted a question mark or two but, if you were to "tighten things up a bit" your posting be easier to understand.0 -
Hey, if it was me, I would say, "my training didn't go to plan, I'm not ready for it, I can't cover the distance. Maybe next year". But that's just me.
My son is in a similar position to you (or will be soon). We made a deal before Christmas to run in the Gold Coast half marathon in July. Neither of us has done a half marathon before. I've been training for it, but every time I ask if he's started training yet, he says "I'm starting tomorrow". He can't run for 5 mins at the moment. If he does do the race, I think he will be doing a lot of walking.
So, in answer to your question, yes, there will be people walk/running in the race, and you can do that too; no shame in that.
Jeff Galloway is well known for his run-walk training programs, if you want to look him up. Plenty of resources on the internet.
Don't beat yourself up too much. I can be a fair-weather runner, too. I'm in Australia, so have had the luxury of training through summer.
Good luck!0 -
I wouldn't do it.
Best case scenario, it will suck and you'll be miserable.
Worst case, you'll get hurt and not finish.
Live to run another day.0 -
If you're ok with walking some of it, sure, go for it. I don't think I could go into a race knowing I was going to walk. Walking is slow, and I'm lazy and want to get the thing over with ASAP.
I think one of the best things I did for my psyche was to do a full before I was ready. I didn't run 100% of it, but I gave it my all and it made me motivated to try harder for the next one. Once I reached my physical limit, I slowed down so that I wouldn't risk banging myself up.0 -
You are going to get a bunch of different opinions on this topic because some runners take these things very seriously and do not want to give it a go if they can not give it their best. But if your real question is if you will look silly for walking, the answer is no. There will be tons of people walking. I have never run a half marathon that didn't have at least 3040% of the field walking at some point. It is ok to walk. I would do it, knowing your limitations. Then sign up for another in the fall and crush the crap out of it.0
-
I just dropped a marathon (in 8 weeks) because I don't feel ready. It would have been my first. I've run consistently all winter, mostly outdoors. Treadmill when it wasn't safe or if I was alone with my three year old, therefore making outdoor running impossible. I have run a minimum of 10 miles (typically 12-16 miles) every weekend since December, including 2x 20 milers. I still know I am not ready. You're the only one who can be certain if you're ready. If you are 100% committed to completing the event I would recommend the following two things immediately: a.) start a Galloway plan (run/walk) that you do for the ENTIRE distance, if you start walking when you're already exhausted it will feel almost impossible to start running again b.) run consistently between now and then. Does your half have a time cut off? Usually they are 3:00 (13:40 pace) or 3:30 (16:00 pace) so depending on that you may be able to walk some or most of it and still finish. DO NOT TRY TO RUN 13.1 MILES UNDER TRAINED! Do not try to "keep up" with a pace that's unrealistic at the beginning or you will probably not finish.0
-
I wouldn't do it.
Best case scenario, it will suck and you'll be miserable.
Worst case, you'll get hurt and not finish.
Live to run another day.
I agree. Dont let peer pressure push you to do this if you arent ready.0 -
I am a runner who, on long runs, follows a run/walk schedule.
I started off doing 10 minutes of running/1 minute of walking. Now I'm happier with doing 20 minutes of running/1 minute of walking.
I didn't stick to training schedule when I did my first half last October. In fact, I think I completed 2, sometimes 3 runs a week for it. 1 of them was a long, slow, run following the 10/1 run/walk interval.
I had a great race, it wasn't an amazing finishing time, and I probably wasn't pushing myself enough as my coworker and I chatted through the whole thing, but, it was the best experience I have ever had, and it sealed the deal for me that I do love running, and I am a runner - even if I take walk breaks.
BUT - this is all me, and my experience. I wanted to do the race. I had my doubts of course, but I set out to just finish it, and I did.
You have to do what is best for you.0 -
I'm doing a full marathon in 3 weeks and my training hasn't gone to plan at all for the same reason as you, the weather!! BUT the training I've done on the treadmil has been mainly speed interval training and it's definitely helped loads! So if you do want to do the race, and are still struggling with big runs outside, get on the treadmil and do lots of speed work. It might not work for you as everyone is different, but it's definitely worked for me and has helped massively with my fitness / endurance levels so when I have gone out on my long runs I know that they've been better than they would've been if I hadn't have done the speed work!
Just my opinion so sorry if it doesn't sound good to anyone else, different things work for different people.
If you genuinely have doubts though then I'd be inclined to agree with others and skip this one and maybe plan for one in a couple of weeks/months to give you more time and better weather to train!0 -
I sprained my ankle 6 weeks before my last half marathon. I could not run on it until 2 weeks before the half and it was still painful so they were very short, slow runs (except the 10 mile race I did 2 weeks before the HM, that I also did very slowly and walked a lot of--because I did not want to let someone down--another bright moment in my running career--SMH).
The half was miserable!!!! I started out too fast thinking I would still try for my goal time after having NOT trained well enough. I ran a decent pace for the first 3 miles and then things crumbled. I just did not have the fitness for it. It was a hilly course and once the hills started...so did the walking. I ended up walking most of the last 3 miles. I would still throw in a little slow running here and there around the areas that had crowd support but it was the WORSE race of my life and I swore I would never go into another long race unprepared again.
However...I would not go back and change it. It taught me a lot of things. It humbled me. It helped me realize that training is there for a reason and if you want to do well you need to stay on task and complete it. Preparing for a race is not something you can procrastinate and cram in at the last minute...it takes structure and dedication...and I (being a huge procrastinator in life) would never have understood that if not that for that race. So...if you are going to do this race undertrained...just be prepared for it to be more of a character-building long run than an actual race. Good luck either way!
0
This discussion has been closed.