30 replies to this topic

[millymoo]

I just jumped from doing a 3km run in 23 mins to doing a 7km run in 65 mins. I am thinking I would like to do the half marathon in December.

That gives me exactly 2 months.

At the moment I am full of my own achievments, but do you think I am expecting too much of myself.

So shall I enter and what the heck, or stick to my original plan and make my first hm May????

HMmmm!!! What to do?

[Bellthorpe]

I think you should enter a number of fun runs of 7-10k, see how you go, and then think about doing a half marathon.

[Gadfly]

Hi Millymoo,

Not wanting to put a dampener on your fantastic achievements so far......I agree wiht Bellthorpe. I have been looking at when do do my first HM too and have had some great advice from lots of sources about taking it easily......HM is a long way and a big ask of a body that isn't used to that distance (I'm talking about me here) and not wanting to risk injury...build up slower rather than faster.

After going from non runner to 13km in Vanuatu in about 9 or 10 months......I'm now hoping to do a HM in March/Mayish. Each to their own, but I like the idea of minimising injury and enjoying myself along the way with some great smaller - mid distance races/events.

[walshy2]

Millymoo

Usually I would say if you want to do something you should do it...what right does anyone else have to say u can't?

However if I look at your 3km time and then what you did for 7km, the 21.1 will be a very long time to be out on your feet (assuming 7km is the longest you have done?)

General rule is not to increase your cumulative training distances per week and your long run by more than 10% per week.

If 7km is your longest now, theoretically you can get that up to 18.1km in ten weeks, so if you can do that im sure you can do 21.1

If you really want to do it, just do it and see how you go, or else May is a very realistic target with the right training

rgds
walshy

[Running Angel]

millymoo, on Oct 7 2008, 08:41 PM, said:

I just jumped from doing a 3km run in 23 mins to doing a 7km run in 65 mins. I am thinking I would like to do the half marathon in December.

That gives me exactly 2 months.

At the moment I am full of my own achievments, but do you think I am expecting too much of myself.

So shall I enter and what the heck, or stick to my original plan and make my first hm May????

HMmmm!!! What to do?

Hi Milly moo

Congratulations, seems like you are doing really well in such a short time. Whilst you may be really enthusiastic to do your first half, I would say that it may be a bit unrealistic. You would need to increase your runs considerably very quickly, and you would really risk injuring yourself before the race. General rule of thumb is not to increase weekly distance by more than 10% each week.

There's a 9k option at Central Coast, why don't you concentrate on that one for this year? That gives you plenty of time to build up sensibly for a half next year. Also you may find that the amount of training required for a half becomes a chore and you stop enjoying yourself. With the 9k you are almost there already so you will go into the race knowing that you can easily cover the distance.

Just my thoughts for what they are worth. Hope you enjoy the run, whichever you decide to do. And it doesn't get too full so you can leave it till nearer the time to enter, even on the day if you want, so no need to decide just yet.

[wombatoutofhell]

Normally I'd encourage such bravery Milly so it pains me to say I agree with Bellthorpe. I'm not saying you can't do it but it's a huge jump in distance and you risk injuring yourself along the way. Another thing is you'd have to increase your speed as well as your endurance. 65 minutes over 7km translates to nearly 3 1/2 hours for a 1/2 marathon. Aim at the 9km for The Entrance and set your 1/2 marathon goals to next year. You'll enjoy it alot more if you take the time-trust me!

[millymoo]

Ok, so now I feel like my rather fabulous bubble has just been spectacularly burst.

I guess it all makes sense, but still.................................

I mean are you sure????????????

I will be at the Entrance one way or another. It's only 20mins from home so why wouldn't I.

I am struggling to take your advise though.

Maybe I will just see how I go over the next few weeks and take it from there..

[walshy2]

Millymoo,

Hang in there

In my mind running isn't about a start line or a finish line anyway.

[Running Angel]

millymoo, on Oct 7 2008, 09:06 PM, said:

Ok, so now I feel like my rather fabulous bubble has just been spectacularly burst.

I guess it all makes sense, but still.................................

I mean are you sure????????????

I will be at the Entrance one way or another. It's only 20mins from home so why wouldn't I.

I am struggling to take your advise though.

Maybe I will just see how I go over the next few weeks and take it from there..

Ah I was worried you wouldn't want to hear what people thought. Just take it easy and don't try to do too much too soon, see how you get on in the next month or so and reassess then

[wombatoutofhell]

Sorry Milly-I'm sure none of us wanted to burst your bubble. But alot of us speak from experience.
So far you've been very sensible. You've increased your distance slowly but surely. And now you're up to 7km-which is fantastic. I read your blog regularly and know you've had some setbacks and issues along the way so really applaud your efforts to date.
The question could you run a 1/2 marathon? Well to be honest yes you most likely could. But it would require some hard work and commitment from here until then. It's taken you from May to now (over 4 months) to get to 7km and you only have 2 months to triple that. Thats not allowing for any taper.
Your original goal was to run next years Sydney Marathon. Is that still the aim? Stepping up the training so much really does increase the risk of injury. Something like an achilles or shin splints can really put you out for a while-not to mention itb or stress fractures which are even worse. Any of these can be caused by overuse. This is why so many people quote the 10% rule.
I stand by my first post in this thread. Train towards doing a 1/2 next year but do the 9km at Central Coast. Aim for a couple of 10km fun runs before your first 1/2. Enjoy the journey with a much smaller chance of injury.
Back in July last year I was chatting to Azza after a fun run (he'd done a 1/2 and I'd done 7km) and I asked him what his thoughts would be about me trying the Melbourne Marathon in October (3 months away-I'd done 1 half marathon at that stage and had never run over 22km) His answer "yes you could do it-but you wont enjoy it" Of all the advice I've had on coolrunning, this has stayed with me. He was dead right-i did the 1/2 instead and loved it, but there is no way I could have run a step further. Waiting another 6 months was the best thing I could have done.
It's your choice of course. If you do it I'll still encourage you along the way and I'd really hope for it to all work out well for you. But I am worried about too much too soon.
Good luck whatever you do Milly

[sfGnome]

Oh Milly, you're not one of my teenagers are you?? Yes, you probably can do the distance if you can make it to the start line, but sadly there's a fair chance that you'll get injured and won't get that far

One option is to set up a training plan that gets you up to about 18k 2 weeks out from the big day. Follow it carefully and faithfully, but be prepared to put it all on hold if the niggle dragons start to bite. Ignoring the dragons is the quickest way to injury that I know of (sadly from repeat personal experience, but I'm a slow learner). In designing the program, allow an easier week (about 50% distance) every fourth week to give your body a chance to catch up with you. That'll mean increasing the distance by more than 10% per week, but that's the experiment that you're undertaking, isn't it?

The other option is to do a program that doesn't take the distance up as fast (still with the regular easy weeks) and try for a faster 9k instead. Currently, your 7k pb is 65min, which equates to roughly an 84 minute 9k (extrapolating linearly). Do you reckon you could do it in 72 minutes? I do!

Edited by sfGnome, 07 October 2008 - 08:51 PM.

[Gadfly]

I agree with Running Angel - see how you go over the next month or so. If it doesn't get 'booked out' then you can decide closer to the time on your distance.

While we might have (unfortunately) burst your bubble ...... we can't take away what you have achieved and you should be so proud of that - we are

Edit: Gnome and wombatoutofhell replied while I was typing........sensible advice.

Edited by Gadfly, 07 October 2008 - 08:55 PM.

[slowmo]

Hi milly,

There's no need to feel de-bubbled. I know a little bit about what you've overcome so far and your step up to 7km is an absolutely fantastic achievement. Take a little time to bathe in the glow of that some more.

Pacing your progress as a runner, which you now are well and truly, is a skill that is just as important as being able to pace yourself in a long run. Like sfGnome, it's taken injuries to teach me that the 10% rule and the other advice that you'll get from the many experienced runners here, really did apply to me too. And I'm a very slow runner - it's not just fast runners who get injured.

Pacing your progress might seem limiting or frustrating at first but it has great benefits mentally as well as physically. It is part of stretching out your horizon beyond the next event or immediate goal. Ultimately it helps you to absorb running into the fabric of your life. I think Walshy put it well: it's not really about start and finish lines.

slowmo

[Sludge]

Milly,

Everyone is far too sensible.

Go with it.

May is too long to wait. I assume that is the SMH half. That is expensive, crowded and a distance to travel.

The Entrance is very convenient for you.

I did my first half 10 years ago with a maximum training run of 7 kms. I weighed 100 kgs (and still do).

That run is still my PB.

It'll be a good story if you try for it and you'll certainly elicit alot of support from this forum.

See you in December.

S.

[millymoo]

Ok. So I have slept on it and read some more replies and this is the way I am reading this. Paraphrasing greatly.

Yes, if I really really want to I can do the half marathon. But in doing so I risk injury which will upset the whole Marathon in September plan. I will not enjoy the training because of the pressure and increased work, and I won't enjoy the event becaue I am struggling.

Hubby also added his words of wisdom. He said 'do you really want to do your first hm in over 3hrs'

Well that would surely take the shine off it all.

So this is my plan. I will continue my running and cross training. I will enter the 9km and my goals will be these.

(I did the 9k bridge run in september in 75mins)

I will run the whole distance, and I will do it in good form, with a CR hat, have a blast and catch up with some CR friends.

So the next piece of advise I need is if I should set myself a time for finishing.


Oh and thanks for your advise. I really was listening. No, honestly, I am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[paigebaby]

Milly,
I understand your excitement and the feeling that you want to increase your distance. I felt the same in my very first outing at the Hunter Valley. I questioned whether i should do the 10km, because i felt so excited that i was walking 5kms and wanted to push myself.
The lovely people on Cr gave me the same advice they have given you. Take it easy, dont injure youself.
I listened, did the 6.2km and was very glad i did. I had a blast, but was stuffed at the end and realised that i would have had a real struggle finishing the 10km.
Dont feel disheartened or like your bubble has been burst. Create a new bubble that you are going to do the 9km in say 70mins. That will be a 5min pb. I might even come down and run the first 100mtrs of the 9kms with you then wave you off as you power ahead.
Also, remember that heartrate of yours. Dont want to damage it or passout. cause im dont think i can carry you over the finish line. Drag you yes, carry no

[brewer]

millymoo, on Oct 8 2008, 09:40 AM, said:

I will enter the 9km ...

So the next piece of advise I need is if I should set myself a time for finishing.

Wise move.

Go for 7minute kays so 63 minutes for the nine. I've picked 7 min pace because of the SMH cut off.

Good luck and enjoy.

Cheers,
Greg

[Solace]

I am glad you drew that conclusion after a sleep on it Millymoo.

I was going to add my own experience that saw me similarly highly motivated and then promptly being unable to run for over a month after the C2S. I had planned to be running my second half in Melbourne this weekend but will be lucky to make the 10k now. Talk about your bubble being burst.

I ended up with a stress response in the 5th metatarsal in my right foot which could have resulted in me having to have surgery to have a screw installed into my bone and not running for a LONG time.

So, after much thought and soul searching, my first half will be GCM next year with my first mara at Melbourne in 09. They're still loftly goals in my opinion and they may be revised as I go along (as they already have been as you'll note from below).

Take your time and enjoy every single wonderful experience, especially those training runs where it all just comes together and you feel like you can run forvever. I had one of those on Monday and I was reminded just why I love to run.

Have fun.

[Melruns]

Hi millymoo. That sounds like a great move! You've done a great job to get to where you are, it would be such a shame to get injured by overtraining, or completely disheartened by a long and painful HM. Maybe you could try thinking about 10k in the same terms that you are thinking about the HM - as being a distance you really want to run and really want to enjoy, and aim for a couple of them. I think 10k is a cool distance - you can get your body used to a bit of speed and distance while you train for it, and improve your times relatively quickly compared to the HM. Good luck!

[emjay]

great decision, MM. it is better to do the 9km and have fun. you will also have the chance to get a new 9km PB, which will not only be a fantastic achievement in itself, but will give you a good indication of how you are improving. and of course you get to join the Coolrunning cheersquad and cheer all the half-marathoners over the line!!

it is great to see someone so enthusiastic and enjoying their running, good luck!!

[Eagle]

millymoo, on Oct 8 2008, 08:40 AM, said:

Ok. So I have slept on it and read some more replies and this is the way I am reading this. Paraphrasing greatly.

Yes, if I really really want to I can do the half marathon. But in doing so I risk injury which will upset the whole Marathon in September plan. I will not enjoy the training because of the pressure and increased work, and I won't enjoy the event becaue I am struggling.

Hubby also added his words of wisdom. He said 'do you really want to do your first hm in over 3hrs'

Well that would surely take the shine off it all.

So this is my plan. I will continue my running and cross training. I will enter the 9km and my goals will be these.

(I did the 9k bridge run in september in 75mins)

I will run the whole distance, and I will do it in good form, with a CR hat, have a blast and catch up with some CR friends.

So the next piece of advise I need is if I should set myself a time for finishing.


Oh and thanks for your advise. I really was listening. No, honestly, I am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great self advice. Think about where you have come from and that really you just want to keep moving forward. An injury by pushing too far too soon will stop that progress. Enjoy the gradual build up to the HM and then when you do it a realistic time will result and you will enjoy the whole experince. A +3 hour HM would not be pleasant or enjoyable.

[slowmo]

millymoo, on Oct 8 2008, 09:40 AM, said:

So this is my plan. I will continue my running and cross training. I will enter the 9km and my goals will be these.

(I did the 9k bridge run in september in 75mins)

I will run the whole distance, and I will do it in good form, with a CR hat, have a blast and catch up with some CR friends.

So the next piece of advise I need is if I should set myself a time for finishing.

Good one milly

Target times are important to most runners, judging from what you read on CR, but they're certainly not compulsory or necessary for progress, so it's up to you. If you think that setting a target time will help you to train and enjoy the event more then Brick's suggestion of 7min / km seems good: it's achievable from where you are now but it still represents a meaningful challenge.

slowmo

edited for typos as usual

Edited by slowmo, 08 October 2008 - 12:43 PM.

[Colsy]

Remember also that this thing you have gotten into does not have a time limit. With the right application you could be running for the next 10,20,30 years. There is no rush here. Dont try and cram it all into a 6 month experience as 6 months is nothing in the big scheme.

Running is for life if you want it to be. Make a long term plan.

[Running Angel]

millymoo, on Oct 8 2008, 09:40 AM, said:

Ok. So I have slept on it and read some more replies and this is the way I am reading this. Paraphrasing greatly.

Yes, if I really really want to I can do the half marathon. But in doing so I risk injury which will upset the whole Marathon in September plan. I will not enjoy the training because of the pressure and increased work, and I won't enjoy the event becaue I am struggling.

Hubby also added his words of wisdom. He said 'do you really want to do your first hm in over 3hrs'

Well that would surely take the shine off it all.

So this is my plan. I will continue my running and cross training. I will enter the 9km and my goals will be these.

(I did the 9k bridge run in september in 75mins)

I will run the whole distance, and I will do it in good form, with a CR hat, have a blast and catch up with some CR friends.

So the next piece of advise I need is if I should set myself a time for finishing.


Oh and thanks for your advise. I really was listening. No, honestly, I am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Millymoo

I am really glad that you have decided to take the advice on board - we are really thinking about you and don't want you to have a bad run for your first half! I agree you should definitely be wanting to do it in less than 3 hours, also remember December at Central Coast can be pretty hot - it was last year!

The 9k is an achievable goal. I wouldn't set yourself a goal time if I was you, just aim to get yourself a PB. If you did the Bridge run in 75 mins then you should easily do Central coast quicker as it's totally flat! There will be heaps of CR's up there to cheer you on, and you can join the cheer squad afterwards.

Looking forward to hearing all about it

[sfGnome]

Go M! See you up there.

[ShanksPony]

If it was me i'd go for the 9km with an aim to run it all (no walking!), but no specific time target.
(But then i like running for fun, and not to put pressure on myself....... so may not suit you!)

Spend the next few weeks doing some good training so that you're still feeling strong after about 7km and can accelerate in the last two on the day.
I think this would be a very worthy target for the next couple of months, and will make you build a good base.

Also as other's have said, it's not getting any cooler out there, and that does make it tougher (for me anyway!)

You're doing fantastically BTW!

[silverfish]

Hi Millymoo, hope you're going well!

I am in same boat as you... recently ran the 9km bridge run (practically in the same time as you) then a 10km local fun run. But unlike you, I would NOT consider a HM in Dec!! Geez, the thought practically kills me. I'm tossing up between the May 09 SMH HM or the Blackmores one in Sept 09.

I'd be interested to follow your running progress, given we are starting from the same point and aiming for a HM in May!

[tonedbutt]

Millymoo, I am so glad I came across this thread and read it. Yesterday I was having a moment of madness and considering the half. I'm not sure about the issues you have had but I have had some too and reading this has made me realise I would be making a big mistake. So I'll see you for the 9km.

[Ant]

[quote name='tonedbutt' date='Nov 19 2008, 08:50 AM' post='407489']

Milly, I have to agree with the others... do the 9km race and do it to the best of your ability.
My first Half was The Entrance last year and I was not prepared. My training was insufficient for this event and I certainly did not understand nor respect the distance. I ran it in 1hr 53min and could not walk for a week !!! I went home after the race and slept for 4 hours !!! This years Half at the Entrance will be my second Half and I am looking forward to finishing in a better condition (maybe not a better time).

Good luck in the 9km. Let us all know how you go.

[millymoo]

Just a quick up date.

Sick for a week, followed by bad run that dented my confidence, 1 week off, Mum in law died, felt like crap, didn't run. That all equal just about 3 weeks with only 1 3k run/walk and 1 5k on the treadmill.

Out this week, Sun 7k, mon 7k, tues 7k thur 3k(all run) + 5K on exbike

Feeling pretty shitty about it all. Feel like I have lost alot of condition. Have certainly lost my 'I can do it" button.

Will do the 9k but at the moment I don't even know if I will be able to run it all, let alone meet my goal.

But up til then have lots of opportunity to get out there so----- here's hoping.

Tonedbutt, see you there. Definately

[Melruns]

Sorry to hear about your rough time millymoo.

3x7k all run isn't a bad effort after a break though!

I think that you'll do fine in the 9k and will get your "can do" button back pretty quickly. But, if you don't have a good run on the day, the great thing about running is there's always another event on the horizon. You can have a shocker but the next event, and preparation for it, is a fresh start.

All the best.