10.14.2010

Marathon? your thoughts?

I have an entry to the Philly races coming up in a month and I'm not sure which to enter myself in.   I haven't run more than the 13 miles in the half a month ago, but I've been doing about 10 miles as a long run each week and logging 25-30 miles a week. Do I amp up my training and attempt the full as a fun run? Or just work on my speed and race the half and then run a few more miles of the full if I'm feeling good? I'll be covering the race to write about it, so the more of the course I can run, the better, but I'm clearly not in marathon shape.  I'm sure I could finish it, but it wouldn't be pretty unless I really up the miles. If I sign up for the half, I can definitely finish it, get a medal, etc. If I sign up for the full and midway through decide there's no way, I'd feel bad taking a half medal.  There's something about finishing a marathon that makes me feel happy and it is enticing, but I have to think about where I am right now and if I could handle it.  What do you think?
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18 comments:

  1. Rae10/14/10, 2:47 PM

    I vote for the half. But either way, good luck!

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  2. Marlene10/14/10, 3:14 PM

    I'd stick with the half... the second half is no fun at all if you're unprepared!

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  3. run4may10/14/10, 3:21 PM

    Having just finished my first full I vote for the half. The second half of the marathon was truly brutal [even after training for 18 weeks]

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  4. Julie D10/14/10, 4:44 PM

    I agree w/the others... given the circumstances, it is more fair for the race, yourself, and your daughter, if you stuck w/the half. There will be other marathons in the future!

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  5. RunToTheFinish10/14/10, 4:49 PM

    i say go with the half so that you can really enjoy yourself and not feel so much pressure. there are always more marathons...only now with the little one's

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  6. misszippy10/14/10, 5:12 PM

    I'm sure you could get there if you wanted, but...you'd also be risking injury to ramp up the miles that much. I'd do the 1/2 and look for a spring marathon.

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  7. Michelle Simmons10/14/10, 5:58 PM

    Looks like its unanimous! You *know* you can finish the marathon if you wanted to... that is not the question.... you have finished several marathons before. Think about which would give you more satisfaction? Finishing a 1/2 in a good time that you can actually train for? Or slugging though another painful marathon that you haven't had time to actually train for? I'm NOT anti-marathon, but just don't think that slugging through 26 miles right now would be the most satisfying experience for you (or anyone!)

    And I got you on the e21 thing... we'll be sending out another shipment of them in a few weeks so will add you to the list! I'll be in touch!

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  8. Denise10/14/10, 7:44 PM

    if you ran the full and it ended up being a bad day and not enjoyable, will you be ok with that or will you beat yourself up. that's how i decided not to race pdr. i wanted to but i didn't want a crappy race more...so i opted not to race. if you feel confident with the half why not full out race it, see what you can do and just work on speed from here on out till race day?

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  9. Lizzie10/14/10, 8:36 PM

    I agree with everyone else - 1/2 it up! You know you can finish and I know you were disappointed with your time at the Rock'n'Roll (though you shouldn't have been!), so this will give you a chance to focus on avenging your time (Ok, so that's a bit extreme in the wording department, but you know what I mean). Is this the Philly 1/2? Had thought about doing that, but I think we're already doing something that weekend :( Your amazing to be doing all that you do already!

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  10. Chari10/14/10, 8:43 PM

    From hearing you talk about it, I'd say you'd be happier going with the half. Maybe having a great finish to the half will give you more encouragement (and more time!) to train hard for a marathon for the spring :-)

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  11. Katie A.10/14/10, 9:23 PM

    I think you know what you really want to do, but I vote for the half. Enjoy it, use it for some speed work then get out there and cheer on the full peeps! We know you can totally rock the full, but being misserable is NEVER fun! Good luck!

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  12. Abby10/14/10, 9:51 PM

    Going to chime in with another vote for the half :)

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  13. Clare10/14/10, 9:53 PM

    late the to party, but...HALF! and ENJOY it.

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  14. Kaz10/15/10, 3:15 AM

    Remember you wanted to work on your speed. Like the others - prevent that burn out, focus on the half and speed and then go for the big one. BTW it's NOT a cop out to train 4 a half - especially if working on speed - that is HARD!
    Kaz

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  15. Sarah-Mae10/15/10, 10:02 AM

    I agree with the others, enjoy the half.
    If you really want to push it and are willing to deal with the mental anguish of a full without the proper amount of training then I say go for it. But unless you can toss the idea of finishing a race without any body pain or below your best times, go for the half ^_^

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  16. Rebecca DeWire10/15/10, 12:20 PM

    I can understand your dilemma because whenever I have the option of 2 distances, I always go with the long one regardless of whether or I not have been training for it. Not sure why I am like that, but I think I am now learning that it is OK to go shorter and that it takes discipline to make the right choice for your body and your life. So like everyone else, my vote goes towards the half marathon.

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  17. Jaime10/15/10, 1:17 PM

    I vote for the half. It would be more fun. GL either way!

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  18. Nicole10/15/10, 3:04 PM

    speaking from someone who is burnt out right now, i would say stick with the half. you can always run more later. :)

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