Monday, July 26, 2010

what would you do?

Say that you were in the middle of marathon training.

And then you won free entry into a half marathon you weren't planning on running.

The race fits perfectly in your schedule, distance wise.

But you're not sure how it fits in the big scheme of things ...

Would you ...

A: Taper in the days leading into it, hope that the weather cooperates, race it all out and shoot for a PR.

B: Run all of your scheduled miles for the week and treat it like a training run, hoping for a decent time, not far off of your current PR.

C: Run all of your scheduled miles for the week, take the two days before the race completely off as a mini taper and pray for a PR.

D: None of the above (please explain).

Please submit your answer below ...

53 comments:

Keri said...

I would probably try to run all the miles for the week, but make sure to take the day off before the race. You might actually do pretty well...I just finished reading Run Faster and he said its not uncommon to set a half marathon PR while training for a marathon and that is important to run tune up races during training. Either way, have fun with it...its a free race! Good luck!!

Jen said...

Okay, I am no expert, but it depends what you are going for. Do you want a PR? Do you think a PR is acutally attainable in Chicago in this heat?

I have a 1/2 in week #11 (currently in week #5) of my MTP. I am running just to see how it feels to run 13 for a race (you see, I haven't competed at a 1/2 before except your RYSO) - so I am choosing B for my 1/2.

If you want/think you can get a PR, then I would select A.

If you want to try, I would select C.

Good luck!

*~*~* Tracy said...

I would do C
Good luck with your decision!

mommaof3ontherun said...

I would do C! Let us know what decision you make!

MCM Mama said...

Go with c. Two days off is plenty of taper and you should still be able to run all out. My half marathon PR was run one week after my previous PR with several training runs in between and you are definitely a stronger runner than I am.

Courtney said...

I'd do B. But I'm not fast, so PR's aren't a big focus for me.

Anne said...

Myself, I'm doing B...but, then I certainly have no advice to give :)
I'm sure whatever you decide will work out great!

MarciaG said...

I choose C. It seems the most logical and realistic choice! Good luck!

Tami said...

training run, you know you can do the miles, you aren't "racing" this race so just go and have FUN1

Jessica (Pace of Me) said...

I'm going with option C. I think you should do your training runs and take a day or two to rest properly before the race. Come race day - go for it, girl!!! You have been working hard and this is a great race and a chance for you to see if you are getting faster. I REALLY believe you will go under 2 hours in Chi-town!! Plus, if you race it all out you will have new data and can possibly alter your goals for your marathon, right?! It's a great chance to see how your training is helping you improve your speed, endurance and mental stamina over the distance! Plus, racing is FUN!! Last year I raced a half about 2 months before MCM and it was amazing for me - it boosted my confidence, was totally fun, and it taught me a lot about myself. GO FOR IT!!

Jessica (Pace of Me) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Megan L. Killian said...

Train through it. If you have a '13 miles at marathon pace' run scheduled that week, move things around so that the MP falls on race day :)

Unknown said...

Use it as a training run so run the week as planned. Chicago is a packed course, isn't it? That makes me think that it might be hard to PR there (chip versus gun time).

The big goal is your marathon; work with that in mind. Have fun in Chicago. And, if things fall the right way, you might just PR anyway:)

chloƫ. said...

I'd go with C...

Hunnybee said...

I'm torn between B and C because while a PB for the half would be awesome its not the goal for your training. It would just be a bonus as long as it doesn't wreak your full training.

Unknown said...

I would go with B. I would do all my scheduled miles for the week and treat it as a training run. I think once you get to the race, the adreneline will help you to get close to that PR anyway. And if not, no big deal. You got to run a race for free and have lots to see (keeping your mind busy) while running a half. Go for it!!!

Marlene said...

I'd be somewhere between B and C. If it's still several weeks before the marathon, I'd be tempted to go for that PR. A few days off the plan isn't going to affect your marathon training in the long run.

bobbi said...

I'm doing B. But then again, I have never yet run a half, so this is making it less intimidating for me right now.

I'm not sure what I'd do with a lot more running experience under my belt.

(And the weather is looking REALLY GOOD at this point!! Granted, that can change at a moment's notice...)

S Club Mama said...

I would go for B. Wouldn't a marathon PR be better than a half PR?

Non Sequitur Chica said...

I would go with C because I am always competitive.

Katye said...

i don't know why you're asking this question...you know you're gunna have some serious trouble holding back you crazy girl you!

abbi said...

I'd do C, but I'm certainly not an expert and not sure why I'm even putting my opinion on here...I'm sure everyone else has much better reasons and opionions for their choices!

Anonymous said...

I would go with C. Because you're training for 26.2, it's important to get your mileage in and remember your larger goal in mind. However, you're a competitive runner, so you're going to want a PR despite the above fact. :) Giving yourself 2 full rest days should be plenty for a good taper.

Laura said...

I'm in for B...Our coach is always saying that you should have 1 goal race for each training session you are doing. This lets you focus on one specific race both mentally and physically and everything else should be a training.
But you are a machine so you could do C no prob as well. :)

Unknown said...

For me, and I'm ultra-conservative as far as injury prevention goes, I would pick none of the above. My answer would be:

Run your normal scheduled miles for the week, then run the race as a training run and forget about the PR or time. In that case, if you are concerned about a slow time showing on the race results, don't wear your chip.

OR, if you have trouble running races too fast when you're trying to use them as a training run, I'd skip it.

But that all depends, too, on how important your goal race is and if you're willing to risk either getting injured before your goal race or sacrificing your performance at the goal race for this one.

Like I said, though, that's just me, and I'm very very conservative with my training.

Anonymous said...

B or C - I definitely wouldn't go all out though - you might injure yourself!

RunToTheFinish said...

B - I'd use it as a fun way to push myself, but not hurt my long term big goal

Unknown said...

I vote C :)

suzy, http://countdownto13.blogspot.com/ said...

A. Taper and treat it like a race!
I'm no expert by any means, but here's why I choose that one.

For me, no race is just a training run, so B is out for me. I may 'say' it is (I tried this last year) but race day takes over me and I'm waaaay to competitive.

If I did C, I'd be too tired ... then I'd be disappointed if I could not do well.

There's my 2 cents :) Good luck deciding and awesome that you got a free entry!

OrangeBlossom said...

I would do C. Are you racing in Chicago for the half? It's flat, right? Though, it may be hot.

Go for it!

Jen Feeny said...

B - No PR just stick with the training plan and make sure that you're on pace for your Marathon PR. I'm doing a Half soon and that is what I plan to do even though a part of me knows I could race it and really kill it... Good luck girl!

dawn @ running the dawn said...

This spring I did exactly C! I decided to get my miles over early in the week, took off Friday and Saturday, and just raced all out at Sunday's half. It worked out perfectly. I got a huge PR and it totally boosted my confidence going into my full and the goals that I had set for that. I did let the half count for my "long run" that week so I'm pretty sure that I missed out on a 15 or 17 miler, but I feel that my confidence coming out of that race more than made up for it!

Jamie said...

If it falls 3 weeks or more from the marathon I would run all my scheduled runs for the week, take the day off before, and treat the 1/2 as a fast training run. What I did not too long ago is I tried to keep my desired marathon pace or just slightly faster.

racing dawn said...

I'd choose C. Gotta go for that PR - kinda competive like that. You can do it - plus recovering from a half isn't too bad and you're half way through training - enough time to recover and still get right back into marathon training! Definitely let us know what you choose!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Incude your race as a trainng run. If things go well, maybe it's a PR if not fine. Your looking for a marathon PR. Good luck finding the right way to handle it! Injury free.

funderson said...

I would B and not sweat it too much....enjoy!

funderson said...

I would B and not sweat it too much....enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Definitely B - enjoy it!

Anonymous said...

C - but I'm begging for another PR in my world.

Megan said...

I'd do B but I'm not that competitive about my time. The most important thing to me would be the full I'm training for an this half would just be for fun.

Anonymous said...

I'd treat it as a tempo run. And if your tempo just *happens* to be 10k pace, then...so be it!

kilax said...

I'd go with B - just run it like a training run. I have a half a month before my full :) and that is my plan.

kilax said...

I'd go with B - just run it like a training run. I have a half a month before my full :) and that is my plan.

ajh said...

I would do B with the day before it off.

Anonymous said...

i pcik B. there will be other races to PR on!

Rene' said...

it looks like you have alot of comments, but i would just treat it as a training run. that is what i am treating 2 as, that way i don't have to taper right? i am taking that coaching class in two weeks maybe i will bring up that question.

Elizabeth said...

B, treat it like a training run some races should be for fun.

Average Woman Runner said...

I like to compete but if the big goal is the marathon, Option C may just be the happy medium. But I would also consider the likelihood of a PR at the half - is it a flat course? Weather good? If not, maybe not worth sacrificing your marathon training and just opt B.

~ Jill said...

Definitely C. During training for 2 of my three marathons I ran half marathons and while I didn't go all out I managed to PR in both of them. Just don't go crazy and have fun with it!

Crystal said...

C!

Kristin said...

I pick C. That's pretty much my typical half marathon strategy anyway. :)

Katie A. said...

Hoope I'm not too late...but I would go with A if you're still 6-8 weeks out of your marathon (it's what I did this last weekend). Or, B is good, too. Just don't be surprised if you get to the race and your legs are tired from all the added mileage without a taper- but you're smart :)

Silly Girl Running said...

C would have my vote! If you feel like you're pushing it too much, you can always slow down and make a training run out of it. :) Good luck!!! You're going to rock it!