Runners: 1/2 or a 10K?

LittleLady77 · January 2013

I have been dabbling in running off and on for 2 years now but Iv'e never been super serious about it. I work out regularly when I'm not running. Recently Iv'e picked it up again and it just feels so good so I want to be more dedicated this time. Right now I do 5 miles 2 or 3 X a week and the runs usually take 55 minutes.

I don't think a 10K would present any sort of challenge to work towards so Iv'e been thinking about starting a training schedule for a half marathon. My question is: is it crazy to start with a 1/2 as my first race? Should I do a 10K first?

As a side note, any tips you have are very welcome!

mrs riva · January 2013

LittleLady77:
I have been dabbling in running off and on for 2 years now but Iv'e never been super serious about it. I work out regularly when I'm not running. Recently Iv'e picked it up again and it just feels so good so I want to be more dedicated this time. Right now I do 5 miles 2 or 3 X a week and the runs usually take 55 minutes.
I don't think a 10K would present any sort of challenge to work towards so Iv'e been thinking about starting a training schedule for a half marathon. My question is: is it crazy to start with a 1/2 as my first race? Should I do a 10K first?
As a side note, any tips you have are very welcome!

I did a 1/2 as my first race. (Granted, I chose the race more because of the location. Now they have a 10k and a 1/2 and I'm thinking about doing both!)

In training, the furthest distance I ran was only 8 miles before going the 13.1 on race day. I started out having not run at all (the most I did was the elliptical a few days a week) and trained for about 4 months.

If you're already running 5 miles, the 10k would be so easy for you. Probably too easy. I'd definitely go for the 1/2.

I don't really have any tips, but I do recommend doing short "maintenance" runs only (no long runs) about 2 weeks before the race. Don't want to injure anything. Also, for the long runs I would eat some sort of energy chew to give you a little boost (I prefer Shot Bloks and Honey Stinger chews).

I used to hate running, but now I love it. I swear the adrenaline rush from the race lasts the entire year and motivates me to train.

Good luck!

LittleLady77 · January 2013

Thanks.

I'll go invest in some energy chews.

brij2006 · January 2013

You could easily train for a half if you are already running 5 miles 2-3 times a week. However, I would recommend that you sign up for a local 5k race within the next month just to get yourself used to the race environment. It can be pretty overwhelming on Half-Marathon race day, especially if you don't know what to expect.

Get yourself some good running shoes, and go for it! I used Jeff Galloways' half marathon training schedule. Here's a link to it.

http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/half_marathon.html

Also do a little researching on "first half-marathon training." I knew NOTHING about running and training for one. So when I started having some issues with my runs and side affects of them, I was able to know what to do to make things better.

Good Luck!

quickstrong · January 2013

I recommend doing the 10k as your first race. You have the base already for that distance and I think you would have a lot of fun with it. Also, you want to make sure you pick the right course. If you are looking at a hilly course, you will want to do hill repeats so that you condition yourself for the changing elevation. Also, buy yourself a foam roller. It will become your best friend during your training.

runninggal81 · January 2013

My first goal race was a half marathon and I wasn't exercising all that regularly when I signed up. I was inspired to get back into shape (previously had been in competitive sports but due to work commitments/stresses let myself become inactive for a few years). I was watching the Biggest Loser and thought to myself that if these people can get their butts through a full marathon that there was no reason I couldn't do a half.

That was over 3 years ago now and it was one of the best decisions that I made. I met some great friends through a running club that I joined and there really was a huge sense of personal accomplishment working towards the 1/2 because I really wasn't sure at the start if I could do it. I say go for it!

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Runners: 1/2 or a 10K?

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