Half marathon

mygrl4meee
mygrl4meee Posts: 943 Member
edited December 3 in Fitness and Exercise
I been training for a half marathon. I been doing fairly well at getting my runs in. It could been better though. I got to where I could run 8 to 9 miles without feeling like I was going to die. I came down with an uti and was unable to run for about a week.. So probably went 9 days without a run. I am almost done with the antibiotics and I tried running today and struggled to get 4 miles in. I ran 2 before I just walked it. My half marathon is Saturday and I am not confident I can run it. I don't want to blow it off and I know it will upset me to walk it. This is my second half marathon so I know how brutal they can be. Anyone experience this kind of a struggle after a short illness or break from running. I had a couple bad days of eating too.. Not sure if that has anything to do with it. Right now my plan is to try to run Tuesday and Thursday and half marathon on Saturday. Does that sound good or would you do something different?

Replies

  • BasicGreatGuy
    BasicGreatGuy Posts: 857 Member
    I would keep your runs on Tuesday and Thursday short (3 - 5 miles at the most).

    As for your half marathon, I think you need to resign yourself to the fact that you will probably have to employ a run / walk method, given your recent illness. There is no shame in that.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    It might come back faster than you think too. But ^^ is right, there is no shame in running a half marathon a week after being ill. Does this event also have a 10K component? If so, would you feel happier if you could run the 10k rather than potentially walking part of the half? Not your ideal choice, I understand, but it could be an option to consider.
  • Asher_Ethan
    Asher_Ethan Posts: 2,430 Member
    Does the half have a time limit? If not, I would say go for it. I ran/walked my first half with only ever doing 9 miles at the most. Also, you're suppose to taper your miles a couple of weeks before a half with most training programs, you did that accidently.
  • mygrl4meee
    mygrl4meee Posts: 943 Member
    Thanks everyone. No time limit that I am aware of. Hopefully next couple runs will feel good. I will update after the race.
  • mygrl4meee
    mygrl4meee Posts: 943 Member
    lorrpb wrote: »
    It might come back faster than you think too. But ^^ is right, there is no shame in running a half marathon a week after being ill. Does this event also have a 10K component? If so, would you feel happier if you could run the 10k rather than potentially walking part of the half? Not your ideal choice, I understand, but it could be an option to consider.

    Not sure about the 10k. Might look into that.
  • mygrl4meee
    mygrl4meee Posts: 943 Member
    There isn't a 10k so half marathon it is.. My Tuesday run felt better than Monday and today felt better than Tuesday. My first mile is always my hardest. . I been trying to break in new shoes but feel more confident in my old ones. . I got them early summer.. I googled how to fuel for the half marathon and it mentioned gels.. I only once used them and it was when handed to me on my first half marathon. . not sure if I should try to get them or not.. Also mentioned sports drinks? Is that like Gatorade? I don't want anything like a energy drink cause I don't like how they make me feel. Should I avoid trying to refuel with gels since I haven't been using them. Any tips of getting prepared from personal experience is welcome.
  • BasicGreatGuy
    BasicGreatGuy Posts: 857 Member
    It is not a good idea to wear or use anything on race day, that you haven't actively used in training. The last thing you want, is to get a rash, chaffing, or upset stomach, from using something that is fairly new to you.
  • JuliaGulia81012
    JuliaGulia81012 Posts: 5 Member
    I think you will do better than you think. Go for it. If you don't do well, sign up for another one in a month or two and call this one a "baseline" race, and you will look for improvement in your next one. Most of the accomplishment in a half is the months of training, the race is just one day. Don't throw it all away just because it won't be your best.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    Don't do ANYTHING new for the race. If you are training "unfueled" run the race unfueled. Don't try anything different on race day. If you just drink water during training, just drink water during the race, carry it if you have to. Wear what you have wore during your training runs. Eat what you have eaten during your training runs. Race Day is no time to experiment with new ideas.

    With no time limit, start at a slow pace, pick up (or not) as you feel possible, run/walk if you need to. Worse thing to happen would be a 13.2 mile training run.
  • kwtilbury
    kwtilbury Posts: 1,234 Member
    Antibiotics make me extremely lethargic. Hopefully that's the case for you and they'll be out of your system by Saturday.

    Good luck!
  • mygrl4meee
    mygrl4meee Posts: 943 Member
    Thanks guys.. My tummy is doing the pre race jitters.. Resting up for tomorrow.
  • suzu_2
    suzu_2 Posts: 311 Member
    Good Luck!!!!
  • Philtex
    Philtex Posts: 1,288 Member
    mygrl4meee wrote: »
    I did it!!

    I made my goal.

    Congratulations
  • yesimpson
    yesimpson Posts: 1,372 Member
    Well done!

    You're a tougher cookie than me, I'd have wimped out.
  • denlawson1
    denlawson1 Posts: 4 Member
    I've been doing the occasional (1 a week ) 10k. Trying to get the nerve for a HM. Congrats to you "mygrl4meee" wtg! Hopefully before end of yr I'll do a half marathon.
  • tro1211
    tro1211 Posts: 1 Member
    Congrats on your run!! I am training for my first half in October, and realizing it can be brutal. I am a happy 5-7 mile runner.
  • mygrl4meee
    mygrl4meee Posts: 943 Member
    Thanks. I do really well 5 to 8 miles.. After that its a chore physically and time wise.
  • BasicGreatGuy
    BasicGreatGuy Posts: 857 Member
    tro1211 wrote: »
    Congrats on your run!! I am training for my first half in October, and realizing it can be brutal. I am a happy 5-7 mile runner.

    When you go out for your runs, don't get overly focused on the distance number. Sometimes, a runner ends up psyching him or herself out before the run even starts. And then he or she wonders why the run felt so hard.

    Your run starts long before you lace up your running shoes and hit the pavement or trail. If a person has what is known as 'stinkin' thinkin,' that carries over to the physical.

    Focus on making most of your runs easy and have fun, whether that includes running with a partner, or listening to some good music or an audiobook while you are out.
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