5 replies to this topic

[Hawthorn]

Hi everyone.

Long time lurker, 1st time poster.

My question I guess is a relatively simple one. I am planning to run the Melbourne half marathon this year, but I also play sport (field hockey).

I have a look through a large number of training programs but I am really not sure how to work out a program which will help me achieve my goal time (say sub 100min) whilst still remaining fresh enough to perform well at hockey and not overdo it and end up with some form of overuse injury.

My hockey commitments require me to do skills training two nights a week, and play 1 game which could be either on Saturday or Sunday. My current thinking is that I do shorter runs at lunch times on the days I have training, and use the game as replacement for some form of speed/interval work. I guess then I would look to schedule my long run on the day after the game (so Sunday or Monday depending on when the game is).

I do have some distance running experience, but have never run over about 18km before, this will be my 1st half marathon.

Does anyone else have experience with this? Any major pitfalls beyond the increased risk of injury during preparation? Is it possible or am I adding too much load over the period? Let me know if you need any further details to help with giving advice.

Thanks.

[Paul Every]

It sounds like you have already worked it out for yourself.

Your hockey training and matches should give you enough high intensity running. Just work on your endurance with a long run once week and two or three shorter runs. As you say, schedule your long run for the day after match day. Or even two days after, if you are feeling a bit flat on the day after and it still fits in with your hockey training commitments.

No real need to cover longer than 16km in training for your first half.

Don't be afraid to back off the training, as necessary, if you feel a new niggles. Treat your body kindly, run sensibly and you should do well in the half.

[virtualkerri]

I second the above. You can do it. I'm nothing as serious as you sound, I played touch footy 1-2 times a week during HM and marathon training and found the combination a good compliment both ways.

Don't be afraid to run slower than you are used to on your long run. You'll recover easier for hockey but still get the endurance benefits you need. Hockey a day or two after 21km race versus after 18km training run should be much different. It can be enjoyable to take it easy too (easy on pace, not duration or distance!).

Unless you really have the time/want to, don't do further than ~18-19km in training, gotta love that buzz on race day as you take yourself further for the first time.


And welcome aboard:-)

(edit: its been a while since I posted, my signature needs a 2010 goal!)

Edited by virtualkerri, 23 February 2010 - 10:21 PM.

[Hawthorn]

Thanks for the responses guys, its good to know that this is feasible. I was a bit worried reading through this forum and not seeing anyone mention their training program incorporating another sport/activity they take as seriously as running. Having said that, I think if I was to get involved with a running club I might come across some people who have had similar experiences.

A question, VirtualKerri (or anyone else with relevant knowledge) I noticed the times listed in your goals/achievements for 2009 are quite similar to what I am looking (or hope) to achieve over the next 6-18 months. If you don’t mind I was just wondering what sort of training program you were doing leading up to your half marathon and city to surf? I understand we are all individual and I have to find out what works for me, but at the moment I’m really just attempting to come up with a good ideas of what sort of workload I need to complete in the 12-16 weeks leading up to the planned events.

If it helps at all, I currently exercise 5-6 days a week (mostly running, some swiming of bike riding if I feel like it), and really am looking to keep improving slowly and then focus on increasing the effort / quality of my sessions as the events get closer.

[MikeLikeRun]

My running was originaly to increase my fitness for soccer. I didn't have the flashest ball skills so I tried to make up for that by being able to run better than anyone else on the team. My weekly exercise peaked at 1 soccer game, 1 training session, 2 x 40 minute/8k runs, and one 90 minute/15k run. Never thought to try running a HM or anything of that though, and the run length was built up to that level over a couple years.

[virtualkerri]

Hawthorn, on Feb 24 2010, 10:35 AM, said:

Thanks for the responses guys, its good to know that this is feasible. I was a bit worried reading through this forum and not seeing anyone mention their training program incorporating another sport/activity they take as seriously as running. Having said that, I think if I was to get involved with a running club I might come across some people who have had similar experiences.

A question, VirtualKerri (or anyone else with relevant knowledge) I noticed the times listed in your goals/achievements for 2009 are quite similar to what I am looking (or hope) to achieve over the next 6-18 months. If you don’t mind I was just wondering what sort of training program you were doing leading up to your half marathon and city to surf? I understand we are all individual and I have to find out what works for me, but at the moment I’m really just attempting to come up with a good ideas of what sort of workload I need to complete in the 12-16 weeks leading up to the planned events.

If it helps at all, I currently exercise 5-6 days a week (mostly running, some swiming of bike riding if I feel like it), and really am looking to keep improving slowly and then focus on increasing the effort / quality of my sessions as the events get closer.

Hi Hawthorn,
Sorry for the slow response!

It sounds like you're already pretty fit and kinda similar to me - the swimming and cycling is me too. I found a Half Marathon (and then a Marathon) training program on the web and followed that. Last year I was following a Pat Carroll program from the Canberra Marathon website. I didn't make the Canberra Mara, but did get it (my training) together to do my marathon later in the year. It was a mix of distance/time as well as some tempo, time trial and long intervals which I quite enjoyed. Just Google "Half Marathon training program" and you'll find a lot of suggestions. Pick something you like/enjoy/fits with other activities - not very scientific but should get you to your first HM in a nice time. After a few false starts where I was missing sessions and just not doing the long runs, I eventually committed and followed the program. Sometimes this mean't I was getting back from my long run at 8pm on Sunday night because I was too lazy to go earlier in the day, but I still did it! You may find yourself challenged to fit in running sessions by the sound of it too. Once you pick an event it will be easier to plan and make it happen.

I continued to play touch footy twice a week (mostly) throughout. I generally did the long run on Sunday morning before comp game on Monday night without being too tired. Ok, once I got to 25km+ for marathon I was a bit tired but not for HM distance. I ran at lunchtime before evening training. Which reminds me, you go through a lot of sports clothes doing this, not to mention two showers a day numerous days a week! So what worked for me was get a schedule, arrange it around your other training, and don't be afraid of doing two training things on one day if you need too, just remember to have some R&R in there.

I was pretty happy with my City2Surf last year - it was three weeks after marathon, I think I ran 3 times total in between (plus some touch footy of course). That last km around Campbell Parade hurt a lot, but still easier than the marathon!


Let the obsession begin :-)
-Kerri.

Edited by virtualkerri, 28 February 2010 - 10:09 PM.