18 replies to this topic

[MsYurtle]

Just looking for some advice from the many runners more experienced than myself!
I am running my 4th Half Marathon race at the Sydney Running Festival on Sept 18th and am wondering if racing a 10k the previous weekend would be a bad idea when according to my plan I should be tapering and running an easy 10k?  I.e is it likely to harm to my HM effort the next week?
I am not a fast runner by any stretch but it is really important to me to hit my goal HM time of 1:58 , well hopefully under that.  I am currently running 5 or 6 days per week , including some speed work and in the past have struggled to hit this goal time due to sickness, injury and/ or lack of sufficient training. I also lack the confidence in my ability to hold a good pace so tend to start too slow then cannot make up time during the race.  Wondering if running the 10k well would give me some confidence or if it is more likely to increase injury risk or tire the body and hence hamper the HM effort the following week???

So.....given my still beginnerish background ( 2 years running, slowly building to current training load), would you race the 10k and then back it up with the Half the following weekend or I am asking for trouble??   Also any tips on what to focus on for HM training in coming weeks to finally help me hit the time goal would be great - previous PB is 2:02 on less running and pretty much no speed work compared to this time.

[Running Angel]

Hi MsYurtle
Sounds to me like the half mara is your main goal and its important for you to go sub 2, so my advice would be to forget the 10k race and follow your training plan. A good taper can make all the difference and racing a week beforehand could jead to injury or just fatigue which could hinder your main race. Plenty of other 10ks out there. I would also hold off from doing speedwork in the taper period as this is where a lot of injuries can occur.As for pacing issues just go out around the 2 hour pacer and try to keep them in your sights.

Good luck

[chrizz84]

no a fast 10 the week of your race will most likely leave you feeling flat.a 10 km race 9 days before followed by some slower running then a a 5 km at 10 km pace 2 days before a hm works for me.but everyone is different on this subject you just have to see what works for you

[Bellthorpe]

I'd certainly do the 10k. It's (the tail end of) the racing season. Races most weekends are the norm.

[Luckylegs]

Same as Bellthrope!  Do the 10km.

I 'raced' the City to Surf last Sunday (1:36:25, 2nd place F70-90 age category...apology for bragging!), and will run a half marathon this Sunday in Canberra.  ACTVAC Half Marathon to defend my Australian Record!  LL

Edited by Luckylegs, 20 August 2011 - 11:44 AM.

[cappy]

I did a 10km race the week before the perth marathon and PBd in both events so it won't completely kill you. Its a difficult one to call though. I want to do a very strong PB at the Perth city to surf marathon a week Sunday and was undecided whether to enter a 7.5km race this Sunday. I've decided to enter as I believe some speedwork in the taper is good for you.

you've got some completely conflicting advise from people here poor you

Edited by cappy, 19 August 2011 - 07:28 PM.

[Action]

In your circumstances, I would.

[sfGnome]

Welcome to the wonderful world of the experiment-of-one. Everyone will have different advice because everyone is different. Personally, I like to have a good hard hit-out a week out from a race, but someone who is prone to injury or whose body is still getting used to the rigours of training/racing may well like to back off a bit.

So, this is your experiment. If you're thinking that this is your best chance ever of a really good pb, then maybe take the cautious approach. On the other hand, if this is not the last 1/2 you're ever going to run, them maybe do the 10k and see how it all turns out (and if it bombs, then the experiment was successful (ie gave an answer) and you can do it the other way next time...   ).

[Andrew2]

Can you put your finger on a 10K time that would make you feel strong, confident and well prepared for the Half?   If so do the 10 K and aim to just  beat that time.  i.e. Treat the 10K as part of the training for the Half.   The race experience can't go amiss.
Good luck!

[MsYurtle]

Thanks everyone for the feedback, it was helpful to get different views from those with more experience.
I am thinking of registering for the 10k and then seeing if the body is up for it closer to the day.

I ran city2surf last week and despite the crowds it was a good chance to practice my race pacing ( was still too conservative but had great fun), so another race might help to fine-tune this a bit more again. Not sure what time would increase my confidence though so may have to give that some thought, also there is of course the risk it all goes badly so need to be prepared for that and dust myself off for the next weekend.

Luckylegs- good luck for tomorrow!!! I encourage all " boasting" about your results, You are an inspiration!! I hope to gain more of your great attitude to running and racing, would not mind some of your age placings either:-) I am in the ACT myself and ran pretty much the Rex Foulkes Half marathon course this morning as a training run( about 23kms), beautiful run!

Thanks again all, I doubt the next half will be my last as I am really enjoying this running caper, hopefully I will be faster the next time you hear from me:-) Who knows, may even gain the courage to move up to the full marathon one day..... Never an ultra though... That caper truly astounds me!!!

Edited by MsYurtle, 20 August 2011 - 07:50 PM.

[DistanceRunner]

Hi MsYurtle

You have a plan, which doesn't involve running a 10km race before the HM. You also state that the HM is your main goal and that it is "very important" to make 1:58.

Given that, stick with the plan.

Some have recommended running the 10km race, with one saying that "it is the norm". Well, it is the norm if you are indeed used to running a 10k race a week before a major target race and know that it works for you. Even most elite athletes wouldn't schedule a race of such a distance a week before a major target race.

I think some posters need to be reminded that MsYurtle by her own description is not an very experienced runner. Running a 10km race a week before a goal race is firmly in the "advanced" category. You have more to lose than to gain.

So my advice is: stick with the plan. I will be very interested to know firstly whether you run the 10k, and secondly what your Half Marathon time ends up being. Keep us posted.

[UnfitnessFanatic]

DistanceRunner, on 20 August 2011 - 10:38 PM, said:

I think some posters need to be reminded that MsYurtle by her own description is not an very experienced runner. Running a 10km race a week before a goal race is firmly in the "advanced" category. You have more to lose than to gain.

I didn't think she was a beginner.

[Paul Every]

MsYurtle, on 20 August 2011 - 07:48 PM, said:

I ran city2surf last week and despite the crowds it was a good chance to practice my race pacing ( was still too conservative but had great fun).........

I am in the ACT myself and ran pretty much the Rex Foulkes Half marathon course this morning as a training run( about 23kms), beautiful run!

Sounds like you pulled up pretty well from a hilly 14km last weekend to run 23km this morning. That should probably give you some indication of your ability to back up from a 10km to run a half.

[Quinkin]

The 10km could be a good hit out, and give you confidence for the HM. Each hit out builds to better race perfomance. I reckon races are the best kind of speed work. Good luck anyway.

[Paul Every]

DistanceRunner, on 20 August 2011 - 10:38 PM, said:

You have a plan, which doesn't involve running a 10km race before the HM. You also state that the HM is your main goal and that it is "very important" to make 1:58.

Given that, stick with the plan.

Assuming the training plan you are following is a generic one, as opposed to one set by a coach specifically for you (in which case you would be asking him or her, not us), I don't see any reason not to adapt it sensibly to your aspirations, your capabilities and the races available to you.

No point in being a slave to a plan, just because it is the one you adopted.

[mgi11a]

DistanceRunner, on 20 August 2011 - 10:38 PM, said:

Even most elite athletes wouldn't schedule a race of such a distance a week before a major target race.

Not having a go at you here DR, I read this line and it got me thinking.

I was asked by a few members of my running group my thoughts on backing up 5 weeks after GC to do Bris Mara. My initial reply was not to but they seemed determined. Upshot was they ran it didn't get a PB, didn't get an injury, but got the medal and a T shirt and all were as happy as pigs in poop having another mara under there belts.

We all have different goals when we race, #1 would probably be finish and get a PB for that race. This would be the case for everyone up to the 1/2 doz or so who have a chance of taking home some cash. They need to have had the perfect build up, this is there living.

So as much as we want to get to the start in the best shape we can, what have we really lost if we are a few secs/mins slower because we raced the week/fortnight/or month before. Racing for me is the best part of this sport, finances don't allow me to race every other week.

But if I could I would, so I say go race your rrrr's off.

mgilla

[Rainlover]

Hard to say and there's various views for and against. If on a program, what does this say eg if it says 1 hour then follow that - maybe you can incorporate this into the 10km run. Things work differently for us all. What about putting in a solid 5km effort, keeping the legs turning over a litle quicker if you can manage that. That has worked well for me with a gentle warm up and cool down so ran close to 10km, but only half of that at a faster pace. If you have a program written by a coach then best to follow that.

[MsYurtle]

Thanks again all.
I am not being coached as such, just following an on-line program in line with my time goal. This program has me scheduled to run a 10k "long run" the week before the half, on the same day the 10k race is being held. I do of course realise there is a difference between running a 10k and racing one, hence my confusion as to the merits of me racing that day :-)

It would appear there is no right answer, damn it, so not too sure which way I will go. Might just un this week of my program which has me starting to taper in terms of distance this week and think some more about it all in a weeks time.  See how the body is feeling etc maybe..

Thanks to everyone who offered advice, wish it was a black and white call to make it easier!!

Edited by MsYurtle, 23 August 2011 - 09:16 PM.

[cappy]

Hi again. Just an update that I hope helps. I ended up PBing in both the 7.5k race last weekend and again in the marathon today his is the second time I've done this back to back racing and have always PBd. So I do personally feel a race one week out isn't a bad idea as long as you are feeling good and healthy and remember that the week after is your 'real' race. Good luck!