Half marathon on 2 runs per week?
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2007-09-19 3:22 PM |
Master 3019 West Jordan, UT | Subject: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? I plan to do a half marathon next April, so plenty of time to train. Right now I can run about 30-35 minutes twice a week with no issues. I seem to have the best luck training 1 sport per day for 6 days a week. So I'd like to do 2 workouts in each sport per week and still be able to ramp up to do the half marathon. Is this going to work? I know 3 run days would be better, but I have a hard time fitting in more than 6 workouts a week consistently.
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2007-09-19 3:24 PM in reply to: #971387 |
Champion 10668 Tacoma, Washington | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? As long as one of those runs is approaching at least 10 miles, I think it's doable, but don't expect to post a stellar time. |
2007-09-19 3:26 PM in reply to: #971387 |
Runner | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? Could you finish? Probably, but it'd be a suffer-fest, and you'll run a pretty high risk of injury. If you can, look at the FIRST program. That's 3 days of running. Beyond that, I got nothing. |
2007-09-19 3:26 PM in reply to: #971387 |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? Why do you want to do a half marathon on 2/wk? I'm sure it can be done. But sounds like it will hurt and probably raises your injury risk since it will be difficult to build much "durability" at that level. Personally, I'd cut 1 swim & 1 bike if you want to focus on the half marry. Run 4x/wk. |
2007-09-19 3:29 PM in reply to: #971387 |
Veteran 232 Glen Carbon | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? You can walk it in 3.5 hrs or less, so if you are training 6 days a week, I do not think you have anything to worry about. If you are wanting to be competative, you need to do more running days. |
2007-09-19 3:48 PM in reply to: #971387 |
Champion 5781 Northridge, California | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? Cut back on the swim to once a week and up the runs to 3/wk if you want to be doing road races (like this half mary) in addition to tri's. Assuming you aren't also planning to be competing stand-alone swim events, your tri will suffer less that way than if you cut back on, say, the bike and you'll be a happier camper come 1/2-mary time. Just my .02, but that's how I juggle tri training and marathon training, personally. (One thing I do, actually, that you might consider, is biking a circuit of about 10 miles to and from the pool one day a week, if that's a possibility...I've noticed that some others here do that sort of thing as well.) |
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2007-09-19 4:28 PM in reply to: #971387 |
Veteran 509 Oak Park, IL | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? I would have to disagree with several of the previous posters. I have run 4 half marathons and 2 half ironmans on 2 stand alone runs a week in training . I improved in each of them significantly and remained injury free (which was the #1 goal). I will say that none of the races was a sufferfest. Each was a blast. Granted 2-3 other workouts per week were on the bike. Biking alot will help carry you through the half mary. |
2007-09-19 4:52 PM in reply to: #971387 |
Extreme Veteran 484 McHenry, IL | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? I did a HIM and full IM this year on 2 runs per week. Just like you, my training generally consisted of just 2 swims, 2 rides and 2 runs per week (almost never more, somewhat often less). My races went well (not suffer-fests). So, it works for me. But, I've been at this awhile as this was my 7th season of training/racing HIM and longer. I put a little more time into my training in my first couple years in the sport. For me, it's all about the weekly long ride and long run. The rest is filler. -Steve |
2007-09-19 6:18 PM in reply to: #971387 |
Master 1938 La Crosse | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? Yeah, it's doable; I've done it before, and I'm doing it right now. What absolutely MUST happen is the weekly long run, increasing no more than 10%/week. Other than that, I throw in a mid-week run, along with a couple swims and bikes and lifting sessions, and there you go. |
2007-09-19 7:35 PM in reply to: #971387 |
Master 1609 Gold Coast Australia. | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? Absolutely yes, I've done it myself too. Like the previous comments - I believe the weekend long run is the most important, the last one needs to be longer than 10m and it helps to have been running for a good few seasons. |
2007-09-19 7:48 PM in reply to: #971387 |
Wilmington, Delaware | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? A number of years ago, as an experiment, I only ran once a week in preparation for my second marathon. Did fine. No injuries. Finished in the 50th percentile. This year, I've been averaging two runs a month (every other week), and have no problems running 13 to 15 miles. Of course my training run is a long one. I'm planning on doing a marathon in a couple months and I need to up my training to once a week! The cycling on the weeks I don't run keep me from losing my cardiovascular fitness. |
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2007-09-19 8:00 PM in reply to: #971620 |
Coach 10487 Boston, MA | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? Steve in IL - 2007-09-19 4:52 PM I could complete a marathon running 2x a week, but that doesn't mean I shouldI did a HIM and full IM this year on 2 runs per week. Just like you, my training generally consisted of just 2 swims, 2 rides and 2 runs per week (almost never more, somewhat often less). My races went well (not suffer-fests). So, it works for me. But, I've been at this awhile as this was my 7th season of training/racing HIM and longer. I put a little more time into my training in my first couple years in the sport. For me, it's all about the weekly long ride and long run. The rest is filler. -Steve To the OP - if you want to just complete it, you sure can shoot for 2x a week, but if you don't have a good base it will be a tougher challenge and maybe a bit risky. |
2007-09-20 6:41 AM in reply to: #971387 |
Elite 3658 Roswell, GA | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? How about run twice a week and do a brick with a 4 mile run? That way you still get two of each and the brick will help your tri times next year. Goodluck! |
2007-09-20 7:07 AM in reply to: #971387 |
Veteran 136 Flower Mound, Texas | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? If you really want to improve the run why not run 6/wk? You can pick up swimming and biking later. |
2007-09-20 7:29 AM in reply to: #971387 |
Master 1240 Knightdale/Raleigh | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? If I remember, I'll let you know in a month and a half. I'm up to 10 miles now on 2x per week running, although I plan to run 3x per week after my last tri of the season in just over a week. I feel like running more would be more of an injury risk. I increase my distance carefully over time so the half will be within my normal increase. How long after the half mary is your 1st tri of the season? You may want to consider cutting a swim if all you have coming up near the half mary is 300 yard pool swim sprint tri, but if you have an oly 4 weeks later, just keep doing what you're doing. I'm not fast, but I never intended to be fast my first season. |
2007-09-20 8:19 AM in reply to: #971387 |
Crystal Lake, IL | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? I was looking at your logs. 100 some miles in 06 and about the same so far this year. Not a ton of volume. But that doesn't mean you are not in shape. While I was thinking about that another thought struck me. Forget the other stuff about performance and injury, I'll let others hash that stuff out for you. It's FUN to get better. I've been following this marathon training plan pretty religiously and the benefits are a blast to experience. Running 6xweek has me enjoying running in a whole new way. Yeah, its hard. Yeah, I get tired and it hurts too. But I'm seeing times I never thought I'd see. I'm able to do things at 39 y.o. I couldn't dream of doing when I was 18, or 25, or even last year. If you are doing the half mary just to do it and as a very small part of your tri training then so be it. But if you really want to do it to experience it and get better at running then pick a good plan and throw yourself into it. I'm not saying you have to do 6 x, or give up swimming and running. But I think 3x is a minimum and 4x sometimes 5x would be good. You won't regret it. As a side benefit this has convinced me of the benefits of following a good plan and will help me immensely when I begin training for my next tri event, whatever that may be. |
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2007-09-20 11:38 AM in reply to: #971387 |
Master 1791 Raleigh, North Carolina | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? tkbslc - 2007-09-19 4:22 PM I plan to do a half marathon next April, so plenty of time to train. Right now I can run about 30-35 minutes twice a week with no issues. I seem to have the best luck training 1 sport per day for 6 days a week. So I'd like to do 2 workouts in each sport per week and still be able to ramp up to do the half marathon. Is this going to work? I know 3 run days would be better, but I have a hard time fitting in more than 6 workouts a week consistently.
I'd say it depends on your expectations for the race. But, I think you'll be absolutely fine....if you make sure that at least one of those runs per week is a nice quality long run. If you're saying that your max run workout time is going to be limited to only 35 mins, I'd say you'll be walking a good portion of the latter part of the race. I see you ran a 5k averaging 8:12's per mile. McMillan calculator puts you right around a 2 hour finish time....so, build your base up running around 10-11 min miles and get the distance up to at least 10 miles - preferrably longer. You'll be set. |
2007-09-20 11:41 AM in reply to: #972575 |
Master 3019 West Jordan, UT | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? bostic - 2007-09-20 10:38 AM tkbslc - 2007-09-19 4:22 PM I plan to do a half marathon next April, so plenty of time to train. Right now I can run about 30-35 minutes twice a week with no issues. I seem to have the best luck training 1 sport per day for 6 days a week. So I'd like to do 2 workouts in each sport per week and still be able to ramp up to do the half marathon. Is this going to work? I know 3 run days would be better, but I have a hard time fitting in more than 6 workouts a week consistently.
I'd say it depends on your expectations for the race. But, I think you'll be absolutely fine....if you make sure that at least one of those runs per week is a nice quality long run. If you're saying that your max run workout time is going to be limited to only 35 mins, I'd say you'll be walking a good portion of the latter part of the race. I see you ran a 5k averaging 8:12's per mile. McMillan calculator puts you right around a 2 hour finish time....so, build your base up running around 10-11 min miles and get the distance up to at least 10 miles - preferrably longer. You'll be set. Thanks for the advice. I was just stating my current running base, but I plan to increase that to prepare for the race. Sub 2 hr is about where I think I should/could be. By sub 2 hr, I mean 1:59:59
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2007-09-20 11:43 AM in reply to: #971387 |
Elite 3371 | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? I wouldn't expect a PR but you'll finish. But is that really all you want to do? |
2007-09-20 11:50 AM in reply to: #971387 |
Cycling Guru 15134 Fulton, MD | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? Of course you could do it (barring injury issues). I signed up for a marathon the day before on a whim, and had only run 3 times for the entire year for a grad total of about 10 miles, but had ridden around 1,200 miles. I made it to the halfway mark before my left knee had a huge ITB issue and could barely walk from the humongous blisters on both feet. Stupid as it was, it at least gave me a focus to train the next year to complete the marathon ........ running around 5 days a week .......... |
2007-09-20 1:40 PM in reply to: #972612 |
Champion 6627 Rochester Hills, Michigan | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? Daremo - 2007-09-20 12:50 PM Of course you could do it (barring injury issues). x2. And you're the only one that knows how prone you are to injury. I did a marathon last weekend with no injuries at all, having averaged between 0:45 and 1:00 of running a week since May. But I know my body, know that I had the base from prior years and even this spring, and knew I was going to be running a manageable pace - and therefore would likely not hurt myself. So it's doable. But you've gotta know yourself to make a determination on the injury.
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2007-09-20 4:47 PM in reply to: #971387 |
1072 | Subject: RE: Half marathon on 2 runs per week? If you follow the Galloway run/walk plan for a race of his length from the beginning you stand a good chance of finishing it without suffering too much. By alternating running and walking you use the leg musles in slightly different ways and reduce the risk of overuse injuries. You should also train this way on the long run each week. The long run/walks should be for time. Slowly build up to 2-2:30 hours. It is more about training your body and mind to do something like this for a long period of time. Also practice the drinking and eating to get it right for your body. |