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Mar 2015
6:04pm, 28 Mar 2015
6 posts
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BrixtonBlade
I'm running my first marathon in 2 weeks time. Training has gone fine and I'm injury and niggle free. For the next two weeks I'm planning on taking things pretty easy - I'll probably run 3 or 4 times both weeks but not very far and not very fast.
I'm signed up for a half marathon tomorrow and I could do with some advice on how to pace it. Should I just go nice and steady or would I be ok treating it as a normal race? It's a year since I've done one and I've set PBs at 5k through to 10min thaat time so I'm pretty sure I could PB if I tried which is quite tempting. Would I be ok to recover in time for my marathon or am I risking it if I go too fast?
Torn between:
- Running it at PB pace
- Running it at marathon pace (although I've not quite decided what that is yet!)
- Leaving my watch at home and running to feel
Would appreciate any advice.
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Mar 2015
6:23pm, 28 Mar 2015
60 posts
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Uyuni
I’m sure that there will be someone more experienced along soon but I for one definitely wouldn’t race it. I’m doing London in 4 weeks and raced a half two weeks ago, loved it, got a PB and a real confidence boost but I was wrecked for a week afterwards, and doubt that I'm fully recovered yet.
I would treat it as a dress rehearsal with say a gentle 3 miles or so to start and then 10 miles at your hoped for marathon pace and see how that feels – if you are not feeling great at the end maybe revise goal marathon pace.
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Mar 2015
6:27pm, 28 Mar 2015
4,370 posts
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Joe Hawk
I wouldn't aim for a PB you risk ruining your marathon. As it is you first marathon I would play it safe.
Possibly take a couple of miles easy then some 5/7 at mara pace and then ease down.
Which one is more important to you ?
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Mar 2015
6:42pm, 28 Mar 2015
7 posts
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BrixtonBlade
Thanks for the pointers.
Marathon's definitely the priority.
Marathon pace seems awfully slow to do a half in. I'm tempted to run it by feel and without a watch but have a sneaky feeling I might get a bit carried away.
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Mar 2015
6:57pm, 28 Mar 2015
1,373 posts
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Canute
I agree with Uyuni and JH. You are likely to seriously damage your marathon if you run a competitive half two weeks before. Running about 6 miles easy and a few miles at MP is sensible. JH’s suggestion is very rational, though I personally would prefer to run the first 6 miles easy, ramp up gradually to MP over the next couple miles and do about 5 miles at MP. This will be a good marathon training session and it will probably feel better to cross the line at MP rather than a jog
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Mar 2015
6:59pm, 28 Mar 2015
4,820 posts
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100forRNIB
Wot, Canute said, very wise words. First marathon is a step (or many steps into the unknown).
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Mar 2015
7:12pm, 28 Mar 2015
8 posts
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BrixtonBlade
Good tips. That's decided then. I'll go for a steady start and pick up pace in second half.
Thanks for the advice.
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Mar 2015
8:00pm, 28 Mar 2015
326 posts
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Gromit
I have a similar dilemma as doing a 20 mile race 2 weeks out from my spring target marathon but I'm going to try my best to treat it as a training run and defo not "race" but also use it make final decision on kit I'm wearing etc ...
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Mar 2015
8:15pm, 28 Mar 2015
15,121 posts
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Derby Tup
It's very easy to lose focus on your key event when building up mileage. I ran my best half a couple of months before my worst marathon. You are okay racing say 10 milers or even halves, but I would do what Gromit suggest above
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Mar 2015
9:57pm, 28 Mar 2015
2,218 posts
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Old Man
I coach and have runners in a similar situation, without a doubt I'd go with Joe Hawks suggestion. You will certainly over stretch yourself if you run the half at PB pace, you need a day for every mile to recover and that would be right up to the marathon
The marathon is the priority, focus only on that then after you've recovered from that find a half (start looking now) and go out and smash that P'B, you will be in the best possible form to do it
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Dec 2018
