May 2017 Running Challenge

Options
1…8586889091

Replies

  • MrsKGrady
    MrsKGrady Posts: 276 Member
    Options
    May 2 - 2.29 miles
    May 4 - 2.25 miles
    May 6 - 2.39 miles
    May 8 - 2.3 miles
    May 10 - 2.66 miles
    May 14 - 2.01 miles
    May 16 - 2.65 miles
    May 18 - 2.55 miles
    May 26 - 2.4 miles
    May 30 - 2.4 miles


    exercise.png

    exercise.png


  • MobyCarp
    MobyCarp Posts: 2,927 Member
    Options
    amymoreorless wrote: »
    Okay, question for experienced marathon runners. I signed up for my first half marathon in December. My mileage is pretty much already there so I was considering bumping myself up to the full marathon. I have plenty of time to train. However, one of the ladies in my running group (she has run many marathons) told me I need to run a half before I run a full. Thoughts?

    To date, I have only run 5Ks and one 10k. I was thinking of adding a half in October but my work schedule is pretty hectic and includes weekends. I don't know if I will be able to get the time off.

    @amymoreorless - Looking at May, your mileage is definitely there for running a half. You could sign up for a half and run it any time you find one that fits into your schedule. Without specifically training for the race, you wouldn't expect the best time you are capable of; but you should be able to finish the race.

    I agree with the lady in your running group that it would be good to run something longer than a 10K before you run a marathon. The game changes at longer distances. It changes first when you need more than an hour to complete a race, because you can't just run the entire race at lactic threshold and need to pace yourself. If you can't find a half that fits into your schedule, can you find a 15K or a 10 mile or a 25K or something else that is longer than 10K but shorter than a marathon?

    When I mentioned that the game changed between a 10K and a half, the experienced marathon runners told me it changed again between a half and a full marathon. It turned out they were right, but there were aspects of running a half that helped me prepare for running a full marathon. (Now, if I can just figure out how to manage the full marathon race distance correctly . . .)

    Part of how the game changes in getting to a full marathon is that to do it properly, you need to run a lot of miles in training. Maybe you don't need to run as many as I do; but you need to run more than you did in May, and your long runs need to stretch out longer. 20 miles is traditional in America; I'm told the Europeans only train up to 30K for long runs. But I've also met runners who feel they aren't properly prepared for a marathon unless they do 26 mile training runs. The thing is, you don't know what you, specifically, need until you go there.

    Given a statement that work is hectic, I'd say stay with the half in December. It may be physically possible to train for and run a marathon without running a half, but marathon training is definitely a major time commitment. There will be surprise time sucks the first time through marathon training, as you get used to how much recovery you need. It's more conservative to run a half first, see what recovery from the half is like for you, then plan your marathon training accordingly.

    Recovery is what most training plans don't talk about. You don't have to think about it much with 5Ks and 10Ks. With half marathons and a half marathon size base (like your May), you need to be aware of recovery. Running the half first will give you the experience of managing recovery before it gets really serious like it does after a full marathon. After you've run several half marathons (about 6, in my case), you may have built a strong enough base that recovery from a half isn't a big deal; but experiencing recovery from a half when it's the longest race you've run can be thought of as part of training for a full marathon. Full marathon recovery is a bigger deal, but it won't blindside you after you've experienced recovery from a half.

    So, my long winded opinion is that it may be *possible* for you to advance to the full marathon race distance without ever having run a half marathon as a race; but it's a more conservative training practice to run a half first and experience a longer race than a 10K. There is nothing magical about the half marathon distance; if what you find is a 25K or 30K race, that would fill the same purpose. You are more likely to have a successful and enjoyable marathon experience with the more conservative training approach.

    One of the things you have working for you is that you have experienced marathon runners you can talk to. I'd suggest you bounce some of these thoughts off your marathon running friends, and get their perspective on *why* they say you need to run a half marathon first. They may see something about you, specifically, that I don't know about.
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    Options
    @MobyCarp makes a lot of good points here. Something that occurred to me to mention as I was reading his reply is that there is a difference between "running" a race and "racing" a race. You will probably need to consider what your goal is for the half marathon that you are registered for. In essence, you have already "run" a half marathon in that you have covered the distance. This is not the case for most first time half-marathon runners. If your goal is to run the race at a pace that is faster than your normal training pace for long runs, then there are definitely some additional benefits that can be gained from that experience that can help toward you marathon, as mentioned above.
  • AmyOutOfControl
    AmyOutOfControl Posts: 1,425 Member
    edited May 2017
    Options
    Thanks for the input @MobyCarp and @lporter229. What you are saying pretty much echos what my marathon running friend told me. I am now leaning toward trying to run a half in October and keeping the other race a half marathon in December. Maybe try for a full marathon in 2018...
  • MNLittleFinn
    MNLittleFinn Posts: 4,271 Member
    Options
    amymoreorless wrote: »
    Thanks for the input @MobyCarp and @lporter229. What you are saying pretty much echos what my marathon running friend told me. I am now leaning toward trying to run a half in October and keeping the other race a half marathon in December. Maybe try for a full marathon in 2018...

    That sounds wise to me. After my July half last year, I almost switched my September to a full, but kept it. I'm glad I did. I feel MUCH more prepared now, with over a year running and averaging well over 100 mi/month over the last 6 months. You're well on your way to running some awesome half marathons. Enjoy those and then get ready to go dull crazy training for a full next year.
  • MobyCarp
    MobyCarp Posts: 2,927 Member
    Options
    amymoreorless wrote: »
    Thanks for the input @MobyCarp and @lporter229. What you are saying pretty much echos what my marathon running friend told me. I am now leaning toward trying to run a half in October and keeping the other race a half marathon in December. Maybe try for a full marathon in 2018...

    That sounds like a good plan to me. Along the way, if you feel like building your long runs up to something like 16 miles, that won't hurt your half marathons and will start getting you ready for the full marathon.
  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    Options
    I like a lot of the points that @MobyCarp makes. Especially the recovery of "racing" a HM helping you with being more prepared for a full. The statement, "but my work schedule is pretty hectic and includes weekends" as Moby pointed out will make the "commitment" to train for a full a challenge. I said many times that the hardest part about running a marathon is training for a marathon. For you, you may have to "float" your long run day. That means in some weeks, it's on a Saturday morning. Other weeks it may be Monday night, or Thursday night. Usually when you look at traditional training plans, it's revolved around a 7-day week with the long run usually on a Saturday or Sunday. In your case, you may have to get very creative in your training plan if your work schedule is very hectic. A lot of professional elites actually revolve their training schedules on a 10-day based week. They run and train as their job and can make their schedule according to how their bodies works best. While the rest of us meager recreational runners try to fit running in around our real M-F jobs and family commitments.
  • _nikkiwolf_
    _nikkiwolf_ Posts: 1,380 Member
    Options
    Finally, a nice thunderstorm to cool down the air a bit! At least I got 20 minutes of rainy but refreshing running in.
    Then the rain stopped, and it got warm again, and the humidity rose, so the next 40min were less enjoyable. Also, moskitos. I got at least three bites. In return, I also inhaled at least three of them, so I guess that makes us even?

    I just realised I'm at 97.9 km for the month. Now I wish I had dragged myself out for at least 2.1km after that workout DVD yesterday :wink:
  • girlinahat
    girlinahat Posts: 2,956 Member
    edited May 2017
    Options
    amymoreorless wrote: »
    Thanks for the input @MobyCarp and @lporter229. What you are saying pretty much echos what my marathon running friend told me. I am now leaning toward trying to run a half in October and keeping the other race a half marathon in December. Maybe try for a full marathon in 2018...

    This sounds good. As someone who has never/not yet run a marathon, I'm of the feeling getting some solid halfs in is a good plan before that step up. What @mobycarp says about recovery is important - I was WIPED after my first Half. I was shocked by how exhausted I was. So before I sign up for a marathon I want to be at a stage where recovery from the half allows me to exist sooner.


  • KeepRunningFatboy
    KeepRunningFatboy Posts: 3,055 Member
    Options
    WK 5.29.17 - 6.4.17

    M - 11.9 miles.
    T - lazy fat slob day
    W - 10 miles.
    T -
    F -
    S -
    S -
    Total - Miles

  • MNLittleFinn
    MNLittleFinn Posts: 4,271 Member
    Options
    @katharmonic great job totally smashing your goal!
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    Options
    2---3.11
    4---5.16
    6---6.62
    7---2.4 walk
    9---4.64
    10th-15th in Georgia- lots of walking and ghost tours.
    14---5.23 beach run
    16---4.22
    18---4.87
    20---5.42
    21---4.26
    23---4.53
    24--- gym: stairs, abs, elliptical, Bring Sally Up
    25---4.1
    27---6.45
    28---rest
    29---6.31
    30---softball
    31---3.55 walk

    70.87/60

    UPCOMING RACES

    AIM for the Cure- 5K, virual run
    July 8- XTERRA Jurassic Trail Run, 5K.  Glen Rose,TX
    Dec 2- POOP trail run, Hoping for a half! Norman OK.
  • katharmonic
    katharmonic Posts: 5,720 Member
    Options
    MNLittleFinn wrote: »
    @katharmonic great job totally smashing your goal!

    Thank you @MNLittleFinn ! Great job with your mileage and training this month too! Can't believe you are so close to your marathon. I'll be looking forward to hearing about your success!
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    Options
    Enjoyed a slow trail run tonight, stopped to take photos of deer, got a sprained ankle in a hole made by a horse when it was muddy (and it dried like that, but I couldn't see the hole through thigh-high grass). Walked it off... so not a good pace, but enjoyed it.

    Total for May 74.63 miles and goal was 60 miles.

    exercise.png
  • MobyCarp
    MobyCarp Posts: 2,927 Member
    Options
    May Running Totals (miles)
    5/1 – 5.16 easy
    5/2 – 6.67 easy
    5/3 – rest day
    5/4 – 8.08 easy
    5/5 – rest day
    5/6 – 11.23 loosely paced run
    5/7 – 11.08 easy with fast finish
    5/8 – 5.23 easy
    5/9 – 8.16 warm up, speed work, cool down
    5/10 – 5.66 group run
    5/11 – 7.25 easy plus 5 strides
    5/12 – rest day
    5/13 – 15.07 paced run
    5/14 – 7.20 easy
    5/15 – 6.03 easy
    5/16 – 10.63 warm up, speed work, cool down
    5/17 – 3.35 recovery run
    5/18 – 8.61 warm up, workout
    5/19 – rest day
    5/20 – 8.06 paced run
    5/21 – 7.90 warm up + Lilac 10K
    5/22 – 6.24 easy
    5/23 – 6.97 warm up, speed work, cool down
    5/24 – 8.07 easy
    5/25 – 7.08 warm up, speed work
    5/26 – rest day
    5/27 – 15.36 warm up + half marathon
    5/28 – 9.03 easy
    5/29 – 6.59 easy
    5/30 – 7.35 warm up, speed work, cool down
    5/31 – 8.29 group run

    May total – 210.35

    Nominal Challenge Goal – 200 miles
    Real Goals: Stay healthy. Build base. 5/28, start training plan toward MVP Rochester Marathon.

    Today's notes – At 75º F (24º C) and not all that humid, the weather was decent for summer running. It was the kind of weather where you feel comfortable until you stop, then you get drenched in your own sweat.

    The normal leaders weren't there for the 6 to 7 mile group run today. So one of the leaders of the next slower/shorter group introduced me to a new store employee. "Kevin might be the only one with you, and he knows the routes." Um, I don't know them all that well. But I got to pick the route, and I got to (kind of) pick my pace, so it should all be good, right?

    I got us lost. Took the wrong turn trying to find a trail that avoided traffic, and added a bunch of distance running around a subdivision with only one outlet. After that, we ran the roads with more traffic because I knew where those went. Came in at 8.29 miles of a planned 6 to 7 mile run, where 7 even would have been my ideal distance.

    Other than that, the new guy wasn't wearing a watch. We kept unconsciously pushing each other a bit faster, and I had to slow us down several times. I probably should have slowed us down more than I did. But I survived. I may need to chop a mile or so out of my running tomorrow or Saturday, but this isn't a disaster.

    Month end goal assessment: Met the nominal mileage goal, which looked dubious mid-month. Stayed healthy, check. Built my base to 51 miles per week. Started the marathon training plan on 5/28 as scheduled, and executed it perfectly until I ran a bit far today. In addition to the stated goals, I ran really well at Lilac 10K and had a bonus of running an extra half marathon last Saturday. I'm very happy with my performance vs. goals for the month of May. Now, on to June!

    2017 races:
    January 1, 2017 Freezeroo #2 (Resolution Run 7.5 mile) (Mendon, NY) Finished in 50:45
    January 7, 2017 Winter Warrior Half Marathon (Gates, NY) Finished in 1:32:40
    January 14, 2017 Freezeroo #3 (Pineway Ponds Park 5 mile) (Spencerport, NY) Finished in 33:42
    January 28, 2017 Freezeroo #4 (Hearnish 5 mile) (Victor, NY) short course, finished 4.88 miles in 32:50
    February 4, 2017 USATF Cross Country National Championship Masters 8K (Bend, OR) Finished in 35:39, team won the 60+ Men's cross country championship
    February 11, 2017 Freezeroo #5 (Valentines Run "In Memory of Tom Brannon" 8 Mile) (Greece, NY) sat out due to training schedule
    February 25, 2017 Freezeroo #6 (White House Challenge 4.4 mile) (Webster, NY) short course, finished 4.34 miles in 27:51
    March 11, 2017 Johnny's Runnin' of the Green 5 mile (Rochester, NY) finished in 33:25
    March 18, 2017 USATF Masters 8K Championship (Shamrock 8K, Virginia Beach, VA) finished in 30:59, PR for 8K
    April 17, 2017 Boston Marathon (Hopkinton, MA) finished in 3:49:42
    April 30, 2017 USATF Masters 10K Championship (James Joyce Ramble, Dedham, MA) finished in 39:54, PR for 10K
    May 21, 2017 Lilac Run 10K (Rochester, NY) finished in 40:04
    May 27, 2017 Canandaigua Classic Half Marathon (Canandaigua, NY) finished in 1:33:06
    June 9, 2017 Charlie McMullen Mile (Rochester, NY)
    June 18, 2017 Medved 5K to Cure ALS (Rochester, NY)
    July 28, 2017 Karknocker 5K (East Rochester, NY)
    September 17, 2017 MVP Rochester Marathon (Rochester, NY)
    November 23, 2017 Race with Grace 10K (Hilton, NY)
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    Options
    I have a question.


    I've been eating at a deficit. And running is HARD. So fuel the run, right?

    What's the advantage/disadvantage? How is running on a deficit different from training your body to burn fat? I can't see that it is. Other than its HARD.

    If I have a GU or candy sprees before a run, I'll probably be able to run farther, maybe faster. 100 calories isn't going to fuel my run, but it'll prime the pump, right? Then I'll burn more calories and get more out of my training?

    TL:DR What's your take on running for weight loss? How can I make that work with out being exhausted?
  • 9voice9
    9voice9 Posts: 693 Member
    Options
    101.70% of goal
    01-May: 6.51 miles
    02-May: 6.70 miles
    03-May: 3.30 miles
    04-May: 6.70 miles
    05-May: 6.65 miles
    06-May: 10.91 miles - inc All About Animals 10.2K
    07-May: <Life Day>
    08-May: 9.46 miles
    09-May: 5.81 miles
    10-May:
    11-May: 9.25 miles (Double Day)
    12-May: 6.09 miles
    13-May: 11.48 miles - inc Back the Blue 10K
    14-May: <Life Day>
    15-May: 3.33 miles
    16-May: 7.25 miles
    17-May: 3.37 miles
    18-May: 5.90 miles
    19-May: 6.34 miles
    20-May: 13.13 miles - The River Church FREE HM
    21-May: <Life Day>
    22-May: 6.63 miles
    23-May: 5.33 miles
    24-May: 3.37 miles
    25-May: 6.21 miles
    26-May: 6.53 miles
    27-May: 3.99 miles - Edge Fitness 5K
    28-May: <Life Day>
    29-May: 8.25 miles - wear blue Memorial Run
    30-May: 5.28 miles
    31-May: 3.17 miles

    exercise.png

    Upcoming Races:
    04-Jul: Peachtree Road Race 10K, Atlanta
  • juliet3455
    juliet3455 Posts: 3,015 Member
    edited June 2017
    Options
    3km Walk - 3km Run. A little beat up so went out with two of the Ladies who are in the Final Taper stages before Niagara Ladies Marathon. 3km Walk up Pats Creek trail - then Run back to the Rec center.
    Leaves me 1.4km short of Goal but I am Okay with that as there was the 5km of Kayak - Paddling on Sunday that doesn't really fit any exercise profile.

    05/01 0 km – 160 km - 0 km – YTD 420.15
    05/01 11.5 km – 148.5 km - 11.5km
    05/02 5.5 km – 143.0 km - 17.0km
    05/03 10.0 km – 133.0 km - 27.0km
    05/04 7.5 km – 125.5 km - 34.50km
    05/07 7.0 km – 118.5 km - 41.50km
    05/08 11.5 km – 107.0 km - 53.0km
    05/09 6.0 km – 101.0 km - 59.0km
    05/10 7.7 km – 93.3 km - 66.7km
    05/14 9.9 km – 83.4 km - 76.6km 10K Brian Harms Race in GP - PB 54:29
    05/16 8.0 km – 75.4 km - 84.6km
    05/17 8.2 km – 67.2 km - 92.8km
    05/20 11.4km – 55.8 km - 104.2km
    05/22 10.0km – 45.8 km - 114.2km
    05/24 5.5km – 40.3 km - One Hundred Nineteen.7km
    05/27 10.2km – 30.1 km - 129.9km – 10 Km DHT Press Run 57:41 1/7 in AG & 16/57
    05/28 8.2km – 21.9 km - 138.1km
    05/29 5.5km – 16.4 km - 143.6km
    05/30 9.0km – 7.4 km - 152.6km
    05/31 6.0km – 1.4 km - 158.6km – YTD 578.75

    exercise.png
    girlinahat wrote: »
    This sounds good. As someone who has never/not yet run a marathon, I'm of the feeling getting some solid halfs in is a good plan before that step up. What @mobycarp says about recovery is important - I was WIPED after my first Half. I was shocked by how exhausted I was. So before I sign up for a marathon I want to be at a stage where recovery from the half allows me to exist sooner.

    @girlinahat So well said. That is sort of my plan/idea although I don't really have a Marathon on my schedule/plan.

Categories