Too soon to run half marathon?

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  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    jellebeandesigns wrote: »
    I would run it, slow and steady

    OP posted an update. They did.


    Great work OP. :)
  • dewd2
    dewd2 Posts: 2,445 Member
    Glad you finished and enjoyed it at the end. Take it easy this week and allow your body to recover.

    Just an bit of advice - you want to take the gel before you hit the wall. After is too late. You should practice with gels in your long runs to get used to the routine. I plan ahead on when I will take the gels and do it at the same time in training.

    Of course my opinion is still to not do too much too soon. You made it through the half and hopefully it won't lead to injury.
  • EatSleepRideRun
    EatSleepRideRun Posts: 52 Member
    Well done you I've been running a while and I'd be happy with that 2:09:18 Happy days
  • Somebody_Loved
    Somebody_Loved Posts: 498 Member
    Thanks, everyone!

    @dewd2 - Yep, I definitely need to practice more - that was apparent. I'll start using nutrition during my Saturday runs to try to find something that's easier on my stomach. Thanks again for the feedback.
  • blues4miles
    blues4miles Posts: 1,481 Member
    Somebody_Loved wrote: »
    @SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage - Update!

    Thanks so much to everyone for the words of encouragement and advice leading up to this past weekend! Here's a quick update for anyone who might be interested.

    The day was perfect running weather - overcast and a little cool. I was incredibly nervous before the start of the race which led to several anxiety bathroom trips, but once I started running, those urges went away.

    The first 9 miles were great. My legs felt good and I was enjoying running in an area I haven't run before. At mile 10, though, I started to feel it and by mile 11, I hit a major wall. I had a gel at mile 10 which didn't help matters - my stomach started acting up really bad even though I had tested the gel before time.

    There were strong winds coming off the water and although I knew I could do it physically, the mental challenge of the last two miles were excruciating. I knew I was moving but it felt like I wasn't going anywhere. A little kid was holding a sign right before mile 12 that said, "you're doing great!" and I almost broke down crying.

    I can't tell if the last two miles were tough because I was had stomach pain and was physically exhausted from not pacing properly, or if I was mentally exhausted from not going that far before. Maybe a little bit of both.

    All that to say, I crossed the finish line to people cheering and clapping and that feeling was absolutely incredible. I finished with a time of 2:09:18 and am so looking forward to my next half in March.

    I keep thinking where I want to go from here in terms of training. There is a marathon on June 18th that I'd really love to do, but I'm not sure if that's too soon... maybe I'm feeling impulsive from my half marathon high. Any thoughts?

    Thanks again to everyone who gave me feedback last week - it helped tremendously!

    I'm so glad you had a successful race! Your time was very good. I was running 2x your weekly mileage when I was training for my first half, and was only hoping to make the 3 hour cut-off.

    I find I didn't need to do gels even up to 11 miles. I was going to maybe try Gatorade or something, but some people just don't like gels and honestly, the whole concept that you need to fuel is not universal. Often people bonk from inadequate training not from lack of food.

    I wouldn't sign up for the June Marathon unless you want an experience even more challenging than the one you just had? It's unlikely you'll be able to spool up your weekly miles enough by then. But sure you could probably complete a marathon (walking and feeling awful the last couple miles). Maybe sign up for another half in the spring and start training for a full in the fall? Anyways I'm so glad you completed it, every race is a learning experience and a notch in your belt.

  • jeepinshawn
    jeepinshawn Posts: 642 Member
    I have nothing to say but CONGRATS!
  • _runnerbean_
    _runnerbean_ Posts: 640 Member
    Congrats on the half Marathon. I think you have plenty of time to build up to a June marathon. Plans for April marathons start in early january, with a half Marathon in March so you are ahead of schedule! The longest run in a marathon plan is usually 18-20 miles so you are not that far off that. I say go for the marathon!
  • jrline
    jrline Posts: 2,353 Member
    Do it just don't push too hard
  • Somebody_Loved
    Somebody_Loved Posts: 498 Member
    Thanks to everyone for the feedback!!

    @blues4miles - Thanks so much! I bought Nuun to try, also, and see if that sits better with me than the gels did. I'll play around with it. Building up my miles by June is what I'm worried about, also. I'm looking at marathon plans to see where I'm at.

    @_runnerbean_ - Thank you! That's why I was thinking the full would be attainable - I'd only have to build 7 more miles or so to my long run. I do know that a full is significantly more difficult than a half, which is why I'm looking into training programs to see where I'm at. It does seem possible, though!
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    I agree, you should be fine. My first half only had 10 miles as my longest run and I did great. In fact, the race was easier than training runs (yay for adrenaline!)
  • FitGirl0123
    FitGirl0123 Posts: 1,273 Member
    It's not too soon but take it easy. Don't really "race it" if it's your first and your main goal is the one in March.
  • Somebody_Loved
    Somebody_Loved Posts: 498 Member
    @omma_to_3 @FitGirl0123 - I agree with both of you and ran the half this past Saturday! The thread came back up because I posted an update. :)
  • FitGirl0123
    FitGirl0123 Posts: 1,273 Member
    Somebody_Loved wrote: »
    @omma_to_3 @FitGirl0123 - I agree with both of you and ran the half this past Saturday! The thread came back up because I posted an update. :)

    I just read your update. Good job!! The last few miles of any race are going to be brutal. Good luck at your next half in March! I also read that you are considering a full. I definitely recommend it at least once. My very first race was a marathon lol. No shorter distances warming me up, just training for the full lol.
  • Somebody_Loved
    Somebody_Loved Posts: 498 Member
    FitGirl0123 wrote: »
    Somebody_Loved wrote: »
    @omma_to_3 @FitGirl0123 - I agree with both of you and ran the half this past Saturday! The thread came back up because I posted an update. :)

    I just read your update. Good job!! The last few miles of any race are going to be brutal. Good luck at your next half in March! I also read that you are considering a full. I definitely recommend it at least once. My very first race was a marathon lol. No shorter distances warming me up, just training for the full lol.

    Thank you!! I really want to do a full, I think it's such an incredible accomplishment. I can't imagine doing one as my first race - that's amazing!
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    Congrats!
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