Runners : Two half-marathons?

PowerfulHunt
PowerfulHunt Posts: 281 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
There are two half-marathons coming up that I want to run. However, they fall back to back.. one on a Saturday and the other on Sunday. Is this super ambitious? Does anyone have experience doing this?

Replies

  • LoneWolfRunner
    LoneWolfRunner Posts: 1,160 Member
    edited December 2014
    If they would be your first and second HMs, then it might be a little much. But if have been running a while and your weekly mileage is around 30 miles and you do at least one 10 mile run per week, you can do it no problem. In my peak training I do at least one long run per week in the 12-24 mile range followed by another run in the 10-12 range the next day, and I'm not real good runner by any stretch of the imagination. I'm more than twice your age and only been running three and a half years, so I am pretty sure you can pound out 2 HMs back to back. Let me know if you go for it and how you do... :)
  • PowerfulHunt
    PowerfulHunt Posts: 281 Member
    If they would be your first and second HMs, then it might be a little much. But if have been running a while and your weekly mileage is around 30 miles and you do at least one 10 mile run per week, you can do it no problem. In my peak training I do at least one long run per week in the 12-24 mile range followed by another run in the 10-12 range the next day, and I'm not real good runner by any stretch of the imagination. I'm more than twice your age and only been running three and a half years, so I am pretty sure you can pound out 2 HMs back to back. Let me know if you go for it and how you do... :)

    Thank you, yes I have been running awhile - They would actually be my fourth & fifth .. I think I will do them & will update ya!
  • LoneWolfRunner
    LoneWolfRunner Posts: 1,160 Member
    Awesome! That will be fun... especially since it's just a little bit crazy..lol
  • CodeMonkey78
    CodeMonkey78 Posts: 320 Member
    How many miles per week do you run? How long is your weekly long run?

    If your are going to do it, I would not recommend *racing* both of them. Pick one to race & go after it and run the second for fun. Use it as a slow recovery run :).

    Have fun!
  • esjones12
    esjones12 Posts: 1,363 Member
    It would depend on your conditioning. But it is easily doable! I say go for it :)
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,865 Member
    I've done back to back ten milers and they were fine. Tired afterwards though.

    Should be fine.
  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    If you are trying to race either one of them, then no you really can't. If you are just about covering the distance two days in a row, I see nothing wrong with it. If you are in decent run shape, 13 miles should be easy to do at a modest pace and still be able to run more the next day.
  • meritage4
    meritage4 Posts: 1,441 Member
    Just consider it a full marathon and go for it! You will have fun!
  • PowerfulHunt
    PowerfulHunt Posts: 281 Member
    edited December 2014
    Thanks all. My weekly average is about 12-15 miles. My average half time has been about 2:22, so no 'racing' yet. One day I'll get faster (I hope!).. for now I'm just happy to finish in decent time!
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Thanks all. My weekly average is about 12-15 miles. My average half time has been about 2:22, so no 'racing' yet. One day I'll get faster (I hope!).. for now I'm just happy to finish in decent time!

    Based on 12-15 miles per week I'm going to suggest that you're pushing your luck a little. If you were doing 25+ mile per week it would be more doable.

    Treat them both as long slow distances and make sure to foam roll / Epsom salt bath etc after the first and play it by ear for race # 2, if you're not feeling it listen to your body.

  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    meritage4 wrote: »
    Just consider it a full marathon and go for it! You will have fun!

    :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

    Not exactly but it will feel like work if you're not used to running 13. Make sure and get good rest and eat up after the first one. Good luck.
  • CodeMonkey78
    CodeMonkey78 Posts: 320 Member
    Thanks all. My weekly average is about 12-15 miles. My average half time has been about 2:22, so no 'racing' yet. One day I'll get faster (I hope!).. for now I'm just happy to finish in decent time!

    I retract my previous statement..

    I would HIGHLY recommend increasing your weekly base mileage before attempting back-to-back HMs. Doing both races will be a recipe for injury.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Thanks all. My weekly average is about 12-15 miles. My average half time has been about 2:22, so no 'racing' yet. One day I'll get faster (I hope!).. for now I'm just happy to finish in decent time!

    I don't think you're putting in enough miles during the week to be conditioned to do back to back 1/2s. You might be able to complete them, but you're also putting yourself at greater injury risk I would say.

    If you do it, definitely make sure you get some good recovery rest and nutrition.
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