Monday, August 9, 2010

Cramming for a Half Marathon

I'm getting really close to my 'cleared to run' date. I haven't received my training plan for the mid-Oct half marathon yet, nor do I know how my knee is going to respond. Neither of these two things stopped me from sketching out a path to get there.

4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11-12,6,race. <---- that's the answer.

Those numbers represent my planned weekend LONG runs (left out the mid-week runs at this point, will fill those in later) beginning this weekend and taking me up to the race in 10 short weeks. And quite frankly, it scares the snot out of me.

Officially, I am cleared to run on the 15th. Which is Sunday. Which is the day I am volunteering for the Rio Grande half-marathon. So I'll just have to bump up my first run a day (or two). I'm going to try to go 4 miles. Doesn't seem like a lot on paper, but it's going to be my first run in two months. Fingers crossed.

The following weekend I will be out of town for Son's dorm move-in at Berkeley. I'll try to get in my long run of 5 miles Friday before heading out there. (I'm also planning on checking out some single track with a certain someone while I'm out that way, more on that later).

From there I will ramp up 1 mile at a time. The decision about whether to do the race or not will need to wait until my long run gets to 7 or 8 miles. Want to see how my knee holds up before I commit.

Oh, and the peak weekend will be two weeks before the race with an 11-12 mile run scheduled. Of course this is all subject to change, but it's a first pass.

What do you think? Is this doable? Have you crammed for a race before? Is this a recipe for disaster? What can be done to increase the likeliness of success?

13 comments:

  1. It sounds doable to me. Even though you have not been able to run, you HAVE maintained a high fitness level. The first few runs might be tough, but I think you'll get it back quickly. As long as you listen to your body and go into it 'to complete', I think you'll be fine!

    FX that everything feels good when you start running again!

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  2. I think it is wise to wait until you are running 7 or 8 miles before committing to a half-marathon. My knees failed me around the time when I was doing 7 or 8 miles, and I had to take some time off.
    Good luck. I am also waiting on my long runs being 7 or 8 miles before I mail my registration form in.

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  3. I think it is wise to wait until you are running 7 or 8 miles before committing to a half-marathon. My knees failed me around the time when I was doing 7 or 8 miles, and I had to take some time off.
    Good luck. I am also waiting on my long runs being 7 or 8 miles before I mail my registration form in.

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  4. Hello,
    I cram for races a lot. Last year I broke my big toe in January and ran a half marathon in May. Not my best time. Pretty much my worst but I did it.

    I think your plan looks good. At this point I would just see how you feel after your first few longer runs. I think you will be just fine Lisa.

    Good luck my friend. I am cheering for you!!!!!

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  5. Umm well you were going good before you got injured and kept up the walking and swimming whilst being out.

    I'd say it's possible BUT you really ought to make sure you listen to your body. For me I'd say if you crack 10.5miles sometime before the race (at least a week before so you can "taper") then you'll be good to go.

    You're mini plan gives you no rest/ recovery weeks... How about a 4, 5.5, 7, 4, 7, 8.5, 10, 6, 11.5, race?... just a thought... I found building for the marathon last year PDQ that adding 1.5 miles each week was ok.... during the week I'd just do a recovery super easy run then either some intervals or if any niggles then x-trainer or bike...

    whatever you choose - definitely possible :)

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  6. Looks doable - just remember to run those longer runs slowly.

    Good luck!

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  7. I have a half on Oct 23rd and our long run schedule looks like this....


    4
    5
    5
    6
    6
    7
    8
    6
    9
    10
    race

    So, I think your plan looks just fine!

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  8. Yea, you can do it. Remember that your week day runs count for something, and you probably don't need to go more than 10 miles or so, depending on how long your medium run is. Just my impression :-)

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  9. Yeah, I've crammed for a race. 3 weeks of haphazard training after being out for about 2 months after the foot incident. It was a half marathon. I ran the whole thing, just slow and steady. Recoup afterward wasn't that bad, either.

    I think your plan looks fine, besides, it's not as if you've never run before and you do have enough time to build up better endurance.

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  10. Yay! Less than two weeks now. ;)

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  11. what they said -
    be very careful
    listen to your body
    DO NOT try to go fast - keep it slow, maybe use a run/walk strategy?
    Have fun!

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  12. I think it looks like a solid schedule to me. I'm really hoping your knee cooperates!

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  13. Based on the fact your an established runner and your body knows how to react to such stress caused by running, I think this is very doeable.

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