Long run question

Forensi · June 2015

So I have a dilemma and am curious to hear peoples opinions or get some advice.

I'm 2 weeks out from the Gold Coast Half Marathon and this weekend I need to run 19km before doing a 2 week taper. Problem is, I fly out to another city at 8am so I need to get to the airport by 7am.

Question is, is it a better idea to get up at 4:30am Saturday before my flight and do my run or do it on the Friday afternoon/night or even Friday morning (note that I've run the last 3 consecutive days). My normal schedule is Tue, Wed, Thur - 8km, Sat Long run (usually between 10km and 18km).

What do other people do in these situations? Appreciate peoples thoughts.

Carrieendar · June 2015

I would just run it friday, but three consecutive run days doesn't bother me. I have gotten up crazy to early to run when I have places to be (ugh...my alarm went off at 3:50AM this morning!), but, if I could do my long run on a different morning than one where I would be getting on a flight, then I would take that option.

torituma4 · June 2015

can u run on different day? for me as long as i get the total milage for the week its good. i used to be on long hrs 14-16hr and rotating shift so my training just have to fit. there are days when i was so tired i cant drag myself out of the door. hence creative sporadic days. btw enjoy ur GCAM! i ran it last year and it was so much fun!

litsy3 · June 2015

I would just do it Friday too, but what I would also do is plan my week ahead the next time if I knew I was going to be busy on a key run day. Or can you do it Sunday?

pmur · June 2015

I would have skipped Thursday's run and done the long run on Friday. I always move runs around and sometimes do my long runs on Fridays or Saturdays instead of Sunday. No issues so far.

lporter229 · June 2015

I have also gotten up at ridiculous times just to squeeze a run in. Sometimes it can be tough to make yourself do it, so if I have the opportunity to do it elsewhere, that's what I try to do. I would try to get it done on Friday if I were you. Your legs may be tired if you are not used to running three consecutive days, but that may actually help you in terms of preparation for the race, especially since you will be heading into your taper and will get to enjoy some rest.

Stoshew71 · June 2015

I have many times rearranged my running schedule due to other things preventing me from running my normal schedule. For example, I normally run my long run on saturday mornings but have in the past ran my long run on a Thursday or Friday night instead.

ftrobbie · June 2015

I would not sweat it and if you have done the rest of the programme, I would not worry about it. I have the Humber half on 28 June, I should have done a 14 mile fast finish on Sunday. I was too tired from other activities so did a fast 8 miler instead and am now in taper. One run is not going to kill or make your schedule. It is how well you have done the xx week programme before that. Enjoy your HM whatever you decide.

Stoshew71 · June 2015

I would agree. The taper is more important than any single run in your training. It's the taper that makes you peak just before a major race, not that last long run.

aarar · June 2015

I'd do it Friday evening or Sunday morning (more likely Sunday morning if it worked).

5512bf · June 2015

If that distance is a mental hurdle or first time to that distance I'd just get up early and run it. If you've been there done that you are probably not going to be effected one way or another. If you run it and then fly out immediately you might get some compression socks if you have any lower leg swelling issues after a long run.