Hi All - new to running last year and have been following a 12 week training course for my first Half Marathon next week. In week 8 i managed to run a 54:19 hilly 10KM and I was pleased with that. I then missed 7-10 days training due to illness, week 9/beginning of 10. I managed two shorter tempo runs when i felt better and then at the beginning of week 11 i ran my final easy, long run, 18km - although i was noticeably slower after the illness break. Since the 18km I have been in taper mode. What i have found though is that i have felt exhausted since the 18km and so have altered my goal from 2:05 - 2:10 to just finishing. Getting to my question, would you advise me to force myself out on a couple of short easy runs in this final week (as per my training plan) or just to take a rest from running and go for a few long walks (and hope i feel less tired by next Sunday)? Pretty gutted as i was really looking forward to it!
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Comments
As for the half itself; remember the first goal is to finish and enjoy it. Whatever you do it's going to be a PB. You've done the hard work and fully refreshed and with no pressure of expectation you may find your target race pace comes naturally.
It's also normal to start worrying at this stage, "maranoia" is very common. Every wee twinge you feel this week will send you into panic, thinking you've probably injured yourself.
Remember to enjoy the race - look around, high-five the kids at the side of the road, smile!
I actually bottled the half-marathon because it was revealed seven days before that it included 1,200ft+ of climb!! The 18.6km (largely flat) run completely did me and I was wiped for a few days. I just could not imagine a few more KMs and monster hills. :-/
2.05 is a really solid time! Good work!