Half marathon training schedule all messed up this week - WWYD?

[Anonymous]

I've been following the Hal Higdon 1/2 marathon training plan and was supposed to run my long run (8 miles) this evening. However, due to the weather, unexpected work schedule, and a sick toddler who was up all night, I missed two of my short runs this week (4.5 miles and 3 miles). I cannot run tomorrow as we will be in the car for six hours to drive to a wedding. So my choices are:

1. Run the 8 miles today (last time I ran was 4.5 miles on Monday) and get back on my regular schedule on Sunday

2. Do a shorter run today (how much?), run the 8 miles on Sunday, and bump everything by a day or so next week

If it matters, I've been struggling with the long runs since I hit 6 miles, but have managed to barely/slowly complete them.

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

Do a shorter run tonight, between 4-5 miles. Then do a longer run on Sunday, rest day Monday, then get back on track. When is your race?

[Anonymous]

Be careful - I got terrible tendinitis in my knees (took almost two years to improve) by skipping short runs during the week and doing only long weekend runs without a sufficient base. Skip you long run this week and do a shorter training run - get back on schedule next week. FYI - if you find yourself pressed for time, you can split up your longer run (e.g., do 4 miles in the morning, 4 miles in the evening).

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the good advice from both of you! This is week 8 of a 12 week training program (race is May 31st) and first time I've skipped a run (and of course ended up skipping two so I feel doubly bad). I will do the 4.5 mile run tonight. I have no desire to end up injured!

[Anonymous]

I would do a shorter run today and the long run on Sunday. I've trained for a bunch of races and have learned that sometimes you just have to roll with the curveballs and adjust the schedule.

Do you know why you're struggling with the longer runs? How do you feel when you're doing them, and afterward?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would do a shorter run today and the long run on Sunday. I've trained for a bunch of races and have learned that sometimes you just have to roll with the curveballs and adjust the schedule.

Do you know why you're struggling with the longer runs? How do you feel when you're doing them, and afterward?

I'm not sure what's going on. I've never been athletic, definitely never run this much before ( worked up to it over the course of a year but highly sedentary in my previous life) and I'm thinking I need to be more careful of how I time my pre-run meals. Part of it is mental too like "I have to run how far today? And it's going to take how long?" But when it's done I feel great (albeit exhausted). It's just the struggle to get through the run.

[Anonymous]

You might be taking them too fast. Long runs are supposed to be slow. The point is to build endurance, not speed. Its time on your feet that counts.

[Anonymous]

Hang in there and I think you're getting good advice from the PPs. Do you have a running buddy? I found that made it so much easier to get through the longer runs. Also, try an interestinng new route where there are cool things to see or distract you from the run. Funny, I struggled to get from 3-4 miles to 6, but once I hit 6, the additional miles were much easier to add. Everyone's different. Good luck, and feel proud of all you're acccomplishing!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the good advice from both of you! This is week 8 of a 12 week training program (race is May 31st) and first time I've skipped a run (and of course ended up skipping two so I feel doubly bad). I will do the 4.5 mile run tonight. I have no desire to end up injured!

Are you doing the wine country half? I'm doing that one too, except I'm not training. Just doing my usual weight training and a few 6 miles sprinkled in here and there and a few 3 miles warm ups.

I think it's all overrated. Race day you just man up and get it done.

I will admit though, I did the wine country half last year and it is a killer. Last year it started late and was so hot. So many hills and half the course was gravel. I did bring my own camelback backpack which was a lifesaver since the water stations were practically nonexistent.

[Anonymous]

You can also wind up with an injury by manning up and just doing it PP. Bad advice.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. I did the 4.5 on Friday and 8 today. By next weekend I should be back on track. Definitely not taking the long runs too fast - I am soooo slow (like 12 min miles). Today was easier - I think it's just a matter of taking my time and getting used to being non-sedentary I am not doing the wine country half though I read about it and looks interesting. I am doing Annapolis.

[Anonymous]

Reasons your runs might be tough: you might have allergies, you might need better hydration, you might need to eat more before runs or in general, you might not be running often enough (or long enough) during the week to support your weekend long runs, you might be wearing the wrong shoes, or you might just not have longer distances in you. (probably not the last one, but some people are going to top out at less than 13.1.) You might need more motivating music, you might need to run more inspiring routes, you might need flatter routes (if you're running lots of hills)... experiment a bit.