Half-Marathon - Doable?

kylielouttit
kylielouttit Posts: 512 Member
edited September 26 in Fitness and Exercise
I am registered in the Calgary Marathon for the end of May and I totally slacked in the training department and then had a small knee injury. However, I am doing a 10k race this weekend and I know I can do it (and then some). Is it completely far-fetched to think that I could still do the half on May 29? I still really want it and I am kicking myself for not having more faith in myself.

Replies

  • nab22
    nab22 Posts: 168
    I wouldn't! I've ran 5, and you can get really hurt and ruin running for yourself with under-training! I trained for over 3 months for my last one but didn't do enough long long runs and I have (what I think is) a stress fracture in my foot :(
  • sarahtroupe
    sarahtroupe Posts: 164
    I SAY THAT U CAN DO ANYTHING IF U PUT UR MIND TO IT..... WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERS A WAY.... GOOD LUCK
  • running_mom
    running_mom Posts: 204 Member
    If you have been training up until that point I would think so. I did a half marathon at the end of March. I tried to train the best I could for being crappy weather plus I was sick for 3 weeks before the race. I still finished it. My only goal was to not be last!

    I would do it. :happy: You could always walk a little if you need to. Plus you still have a month to work on it.
  • bmontgomery87
    bmontgomery87 Posts: 1,260 Member
    If you really start training hard you might make it.
    I would atleast try personally, if I had paid the fees already.
  • Angiebug1969
    Angiebug1969 Posts: 152
    May 29th is still weeks away... you would need to taper off your mileage by the 19th or so... there's still time to train. BUT, with that said, you do need to listen to your body... and if the 10K stresses your knee this weekend, rethink your "marathon race date" and register for another later in the year. Miles trained are not lost... if you're still training for something else! :flowerforyou:

    I'm tackling the Flying Pig Marathon this weekend (May 1st!!) Wish me luck!
  • stlkeens
    stlkeens Posts: 1 Member
    I would say do the 10K and see how you feel. How far had you trained before the injury? I did the same last year with an ankle injury. Did the rehab and the dr. told me that I could still do the 1/2 marathon but that I shouldn't run the whole thing (I had a good 2 months to train yet but hadn't run more than 3 miles up to that point!). So I continued training and gave myself license to do some walking too. Finished the race and ran most of it! You've paid for the race so you might as well go for it and listen to your body along the way! Good luck!!
  • Angiebug1969
    Angiebug1969 Posts: 152
    I just RE-READ your post... I definitely think the HALF Marathon is possible!! Still, listen to that knee this weekend Honey!
  • johnwhitent
    johnwhitent Posts: 648 Member
    I’m in the supportive but cautious crowd. I say don’t push yourself into an injury, but if your temperament allows it you can do it as a run/walk. Jeff Galloway has some books out on how even competitive marathoners can improve their times using walk breaks. In this case I would use walking just as a way to complete it.
  • kylielouttit
    kylielouttit Posts: 512 Member
    Good luck!

    I think I am going to go for it, knowing that I might have to walk some of it.

    Thank you!
  • TheIncredibleShrinkingDan
    TheIncredibleShrinkingDan Posts: 19 Member
    I wouldn't! I've ran 5, and you can get really hurt and ruin running for yourself with under-training! I trained for over 3 months for my last one but didn't do enough long long runs and I have (what I think is) a stress fracture in my foot :(

    I agree. If it were me I would not do it, unless you were willing to walk/run. I've had IT band injuries and have gotten sick from over training.

    Rule of thumb is to not increase your long run mileage by more than 10% at most and to taper the week before the race.

    Your long run mileage would have to look something like below which is over double the "rule of thumb".

    5/1 Longrun = 7.5 miles = 21% increase over recent 10k
    5/8 Longrun = 9.1 miles = 21% increase over previous week
    5/15 Longrun = 11.0 miles = 21% increase over previous week
    5/22 Longrun = 6 miles for a taper week
    5/29 RACE = 1/2 marathon = 19% over 5/15 long run

    If you are willing to walk it however, maybe you only increase your runs by 10% per week and then walk the balance. Just listen to your body! Good luck.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    You didn't say how much you actually did train. If you can comfortably do the 10K and stick to consistent training over the next month you should be completely capable of finishing with out issue.
    Since you are short on time too I would keep upping the long runs even the weekend before the race. Just back off the week of the race.
  • kylielouttit
    kylielouttit Posts: 512 Member
    I did my 10K race today and it was great! I finished under my goal of an hour (59:15) and I feel so awsome!

    I still have my goal of a half-marathon but I do acknowledge that some of it may be walked and I am ok with that!

    Wish me luck!
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