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Half marathon in 6 weeks?

post #1 of 15
8/26/10 at 1:47pm
Thread Starter 
There's a half marathon that I'd like to run. It takes place in 6 weeks. Currently, I run 2-4 times per week, getting a 5.5 miler in every weekend and approximately 3.5 miles in my regular run. I struggle to find the time to run as often as I'd like, so I have been trying to go in the mornings. This would be a good way to get in that groove and I think a half marathon is achievable. Are there any 6-week preparation schedules?
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post #2 of 15
8/26/10 at 1:55pm
oh, dear. Have you already signed up?

short answer: yes, it is. But the aftermath can be pretty bad, depending on your durability among other things. I do not know of any training schedules, though, but if you add 1.5 miles to your weekend run each weekend that ought to get you there.

Also, it depends on what sort of time you want to finish in. If you're not averse to walking parts of the race...that's an option.
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post #3 of 15
8/26/10 at 2:05pm
Thread Starter 
I have not signed up. I'm not committed to doing this, but am wondering if it is possible. This website proposes a 6-week schedule: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/army/half%20marathon.htm And judging by the distances and times per week, it seems like something I can handle. I would not be running for any competitive time, just completion. I would expect to pause and walk at times.
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post #4 of 15
8/26/10 at 2:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by blank View Post
I have not signed up. I'm not committed to doing this, but am wondering if it is possible.

This website proposes a 6-week schedule:

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/army/half%20marathon.htm

And judging by the distances and times per week, it seems like something I can handle.

I would not be running for any competitive time, just completion. I would expect to pause and walk at times.

Conventional wisdom says you tackle a few 10-k races first, and slowly build your mileage. Some people can get away with bucking it, but they're unusually durable or light or have a long running background.

That said...pausing and walking will probably get you to the finish, but you probably won't care for the experience.
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post #5 of 15
8/26/10 at 2:31pm
You could probably complete a half marathon tomorrow, if you really wanted. But what do you hope to gain from this?
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post #6 of 15
8/26/10 at 2:41pm
I think I'm going to try my first half marathon in October. I normally run 5K and 10K races and I ran a 10 mile race last summer, so I already have some preparation. I usually run 6-7 miles 4 days a week, and I plan on increasing my mileage for at least one long run per week. I'm also doing a 10K in September so that will help me prepare for it also.

I would suggest increasing each of your runs 2-3 miles each and I think you will be okay. You don't have to make your longest run 13 miles, but if you can get to maybe 9 or 10 miles I think you'll be alright. Just be sure to give yourself enough rest. You don't want to get injured.
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post #7 of 15
8/27/10 at 10:08am
FWIW, I'm scheduled for a January half but am considering a half that's coming up in 6 or so weeks. I've been averaging 25+ miles/week for the past three weeks and will be running 8 this weekend.
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post #8 of 15
8/27/10 at 11:40am
start practicing run/walk run 4 walk 1 run 4 walk 1 and run the rest. dont think you HAVE to run the entire thing. you can do it.
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post #9 of 15
8/27/10 at 11:50am
i'd say do it... its the staten island half this oct 10 right? they'll be like 20,000+ runners since it will be treated like a training run for the eventual NYC marathon in nov.

but just run to finish it. I'll be running the staten island half too but to finish to qualify for the 2011 NYC marathon. (it will be on of my last races for the 9+1 qualification program).
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post #10 of 15
8/27/10 at 12:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Working Stiff View Post
You could probably complete a half marathon tomorrow, if you really wanted. But what do you hope to gain from this?

+1

If you can run 5.5+ on a weekend...I don't see why you wouldn't be able to run a half marathon.

It might not be pleasant and you might not be fast...but 6 weeks from now sounds completely doable.
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post #11 of 15
8/27/10 at 1:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas View Post
FWIW, I'm scheduled for a January half but am considering a half that's coming up in 6 or so weeks. I've been averaging 25+ miles/week for the past three weeks and will be running 8 this weekend.

This is more realistic, I am running a half on Oct. 24th, so roughly 8 weeks away and have been around 25-30 miles per week with no long runs over 9 miles. I am looking to bump my mileage up to around 40-45 in the next couple weeks and try to hold it there for about a month. For the OP he has been running only 15 miles per week, while it is possible I think he would dread it by the last few miles. He needs to get out there and increase the distance of at least his long run on the weekend to about 10 miles just to get used to being on his feet longer than what he is now.
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post #12 of 15
9/19/10 at 12:40pm
Thread Starter 
I ran 8.6 yesterday and I'm going to go out and do another 5.5 this morning. At the end of yesterday's run, I'd say I probably could have gone another mile or two but asking me to go another five would have been difficult. I still haven't registered, but it's in the back of my mind. I'm not on any kind of training schedule, just trying to run as much and as often as I can.
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post #13 of 15
9/19/10 at 11:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by blank View Post
I ran 8.6 yesterday and I'm going to go out and do another 5.5 this morning.

At the end of yesterday's run, I'd say I probably could have gone another mile or two but asking me to go another five would have been difficult.

I still haven't registered, but it's in the back of my mind. I'm not on any kind of training schedule, just trying to run as much and as often as I can.

You can do it no problem. Before I ran my first half, the longest run I did was 6 miles. And I ran that half in 1:31.
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post #14 of 15
9/20/10 at 12:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas View Post
That said...pausing and walking will probably get you to the finish, but you probably won't care for the experience.

This is my strategy, too. I haven't been running in the last 2-3 weeks and apparently I'm signed up for a race on 10/24.
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post #15 of 15
9/20/10 at 12:08am
can be done....you need a few long runs that are close to 13.1, like 12.5 or better.
I was up over 22 miles on my longs, had to take off 8 weeks before a half, and did only 2 runs in 8 weeks and still ran the half in under 2 hrs.
The long run is king for your endurance.
Anyhow, 13.1 is pretty much doable no matter what. anything over 18 requires some real training.
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