Friday, March 12, 2010

Need Training Help

I am trying to figure out my plan for the rest of my half marathon training. I had been far ahead in my plan, but then lost a bit when I hurt my back. I ran 7 miles last weekend and am back on track.

My question is when my last long run should be before the half. The half is on May 2nd. I am planning my last long run, of 11-12 miles, 2 weeks before the race. Is this is a good plan?? Also...what should my distance be for my weekend run the weekend before the race??

Many of you are way more experienced runners than myself and any input you can give me would be greatly appreciated!!!

12 comments:

MCM Mama said...

I try to run my last long run two weeks before and then the weekend before I run 5-7 miles. I always take two days off right beforehand as well. My legs seem to need two full days of rest before a long race.

Good luck!

Michelle said...

I'm doing what MCM Mama mentioned. Today I hit 12. Next week I will only run 7 and then the following week is the race.

Good luck! Glad to hear that you are feeling good!

Jessica said...

Thanks for asking this! My race is next weekend and I was wondering how much to do today :) I did 10 last week. For some reason I remember reading that all you need to do for a half during training is 10, for a full 20? I'm probably wrong though, lol.
I'll be doing between 6&7 today and then I'll take Friday and Saturday and do some light walking to stay loose. Good luck!

Stacey said...

That would be my advice too. You will do great in your race! Have fun.

Anonymous said...

I was going to say exactly what mcm & michelle said. I ran 12 miles 2 weeks before & 8 miles the week before. I also don't run two days before the race. I feel my body is just more rested that way. Good luck!!

Anonymous said...

I am doing my first ever half marathon, on May 2nd, as well . Is it the one on long island?

I am sticking to 21 miles, the week before the race. I am trying to tapper off. i started with about 12 miles my first week, and then add on as I go. I am doing a 9 week program.

I think you should do about 2 ten mile runs, before the race, and have about 2 to 3 days rest, before the race. this is what i plan on doing.

Meera

WendyBird said...

The training plans I use have you running the last long run the weekend before so I'm sure you are safe with whatever distance you are comfortable with. When I ran Outer Banks, I ran 12miles 2 weeks before the race and then ran a full out 10K the weekend before. The 10K was kind of stupid though, I wasn't fully recovered for the HM, but it didn't hurt me too much.

lifestudent said...

I had this same question before my 1/2. While full Marathon training programs generally suggest a pretty big cutback in the weeks prior, 1/2 marathon programs often do not. In fact, I found a lot of them that do not cut back at all... the weeks prior are an 8 and 10 or 9 and 11. You can build right up to a 1/2. I'd say go with your gut, but I would pull out really small mileage the weekend prior, keep it in the "long run" category. Use the week prior to the race to rest up a bit ;)

Sarah said...

Hi, did you see Remember Me? I loved it and Im going to see it again tonight :)

As for training, I had trouble during my first half last fall and getting injured. Now I am running between 23-27 miles per week. Each week I am running 4-5 times andd increasing my long run each weekend by only one mile. The longest I have run at once is 12 miles, and that was 2 weeks before the race. This weekend I ran only 9 to "taper" before the half next weekend. Does that make sense? So far I have been injury free!

The most important thing for me was to increase my long run by 1 mile per week. Last fall I did a 6 miler then a 7.5 and then a 9 miler within a week and a half and was injured for almost 2 months. Just keep your miles up and increase slowly! :)

Heather said...

I agree with MCM Mama - I would do 5-8 miles the weekend before. About 4-5 days before a half or full marathon, I like to do a 3 mile run with just a few 400 meter fast sections just for confidence.

Jess said...

Personally, I would recommend 8-10 miles the week before.

Anne said...

I can not give you advice as I am running my own first half-marathon at the end of May. However, I am following a program through Running Room and they suggest a long run (almost race distance) two week before the race. Then the weekend before the race is a short run (around 4 miles) on Sunday, then athletic walking Tues. and Wed. then off Thurs. and Fri. then easy 2 mile run on Saturday and race day is Sunday. Hope this helps :)