Need some encouragement!

[Erin_Akey]

So my half training plan took a major blow during the month of August. I found out I had a stomach ulcer which was making me really sick and so I didn't run for two weeks. Then my company went through a big merger with a European company which had me doing some travelling and then once home working 16 hour days for two weeks.

I basically did not get to run for about four weeks. Well, maybe three runs in that time. I just got back out there last week and actually ran my best run of the last month at the Boardwalk this weekend.

We had just worked up to 8 miles before my hiatus and now I am so afraid I will not be ready in time for the half in January. I have just under four months now. I realize that I may have to walk part of it and that is ok, I just want to finish since I have never done a half before.

Any tips on how to get myself back up to the 8 miles soon? My biggest fear is not having enough time for working up to 13.1 miles. BUT I WILL finish this race come hell or high water.......already dealt with both anyway and beat them, so I CAN DO THIS.

Any tips? I was thinking tonight hubby and I should see how far we could go doing a run a mile/walk a mile scenario. Maybe i can go the 8 like that?

SO NERVOUS, but DETERMINED!!!

Thanks in advance for any advice!
Erin

 

[dreamfinder]

The best scenario is just to get moving again. Not sure exactly how you had been training, but dial it back a few weeks to your comfort level. And then start from there. The base you had already started working on should return reasonable fast since it sounds like it has only been a month. Drop back on the speed a bit, or maybe scale back the distance, but you probably are still better than you think. Run/walk isn't a bad choice, it really depends on your comfort level. If you are more concerned about simply being able to do the 13.1, then that may be a good option to just get the mileage up.

You should have no problem being able to finish on race day. You may have to dial back your target pace a tad, but you still have over 3 months to get that distance back. If you can end up doing about 6 now, adding a half mile a week in the run/walk would get you just about at the 13 for January. Just keep on tr__________g, you will make it!

 

[MKCP 1985]

So my half training plan took a major blow during the month of August.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Erin

First, you need to know that you can still do this! There are training programs for a half marathon that don't even begin until October (but those generally assume the participant is already doing some regular workouts.

Second: Starting today (tonight), find 30 minutes of time for yourself to do some light workouts. You don't have to work out everyday, but you should try and do 30 minutes of light running twice between today and Friday.

Third: Get a 12 or 16 week training plan and get started. (If sixteen week, start with week one - don't skip to week 3 or 4 unless you can handle the training demands.

I'm looking forward to seeing your post-race report in January! You can do this!!!

 

[Wilt Dasney]

I was wondering where you had gone. :lol:

I'm sorry to hear about your health and job issues, but glad you're still working toward the race. As mentioned earlier, you're probably more ahead of the game than you think. I had originally planned to run the half before switching to the full, and didn't even plan on starting my training until next month.

You have PLENTY of time! Good luck.

 

[DisneyRunner]

I would look for a 15 week half-marathon training program. This length of program would start the first week of October. The miles you have already put in would be considered base building. It does take a while to get back into the groove. Start slow, don't push yourself too hard or you could risk injury.

 

[Erin_Akey]

thanks to all! Glad to hear no one thinks I am crazy to still be trying to do this!

I discovered with my jog tracker that if you run out of Boardwalk and across the Swan/Dolphin bridge around to the Intl. Gateway and go around that loop there and back to Boardwalk, it is exactly 1 mile.

It is such a great little loop to run early in the morning when no one is around and there are no crowds. I really enjoyedgetting back to my training at the very place where I will run the race in January.

I am one of those people who feeds off the moods of those around me so I REALLY appreciate the encouraging words. I cannot tell you how important it is for me to accomplish this goal.

In fact, my next book is about this whole experience and the working title is From 325 to the WDW Half Marathon. All about my journey from 325 pounds to completing this race!

In 2012, I want to be able to do the FULL!!!

 

[Wilt Dasney]

Erin, I don't know if you have a schedule in mind that you are planning to go by, but you might want to adopt a training plan just to reassure yourself that you are on pace. Honestly, running 8 miles at this point seems well AHEAD of where you would need to be to do 13.1 by January.

Here's a walk/run plan from Jeff Galloway. It's 19 weeks, but the race is in week 17, so you could probably start at Week 2 and go from there: http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/half_marathon.html

Here's a 12-week running plan from Hal Higdon: http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm

You can see from the starting points that you don't need to worry about being anywhere close to 8 miles at this point. (I'm following an 18-week plan for the full, and I just hit 7 miles last weekend!)

Whether you use a plan or not, you can at least see that the "professionals" have people running much shorter distances than you've done at this point in training. Maybe that can put your mind at ease a bit. :lol:

 

[Phonedave]

Glad to see you are back. Some of us were getting worried.

You have plenty of time, not plenty of extra time, but plenty of time. As you said your goal is not any time goal, but just to finish. You should be able to do that no problem. You already had some good advice about training. Remember not to push to hard and cause an injury - that would really set you back. Also remember that your body needs time to heal and get stronger between those big workouts. Don't keep pushing and pushing until you end up burned out - trust your program. And taper, remember to taper before race day.

-dave

 

[Erin_Akey]

Thanks guys for the plans and advice. I have not done a long run yet so I think tonight I am goin to see what I can do- I am going to try 8 miles on a run one walk one routine and see how I feel.

I looked at the Hal Higdon plan and i wonder how it will work if i do not use the same days as he does? Also, what do most of you do for cross training?

How important is that part? I feel like the place I get tired is my upper body, NOT my legs so i feel like i need to do some weights on the days i do not run to get my upper body stronger. I wa swimming but now it is too chilly in the evenings for me in the pool.

What type of cross training is good for a beginner like me to build strength?

 

[Wilt Dasney]

I looked at the Hal Higdon plan and i wonder how it will work if i do not use the same days as he does? Also, what do most of you do for cross training?

Days of the week aren't important. You can juggle, as long as you get the workouts in and give yourself rest before and after your long runs.

I just walk to cross train...but that's mostly because I'm cheap and lazy, and don't want to buy a pool membership or a bike. :lol:

 

[JillC LI]

You ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY have enough time to train for and complete a half-marathon by January. Get back on track slowly, don't jump right back in at 8 miles unless you really feel strong enough, and pick up a training plan. Stick with the mileage recommended on the training plan but don't worry about the actual days as long as you take a day off after your long runs. And as for cross-training, it's entirely up to you. I didn't do any when I trained for the NY Marathon - just followed the New York Road Runners recommended training program. If you feel it would help, and you have the time, do some upper body work. You can do this!

 

[MCC1]

Don't overstress about the 4 weeks this far out, your fitness loss was nil for the first 2-weeks, and you still got a few maintenance days in the second 2 weeks...so while you slipped a bit, not as much as you think. Key for any plan you're on between now & 1/2 marathon is to get that 1 long run (starting with whatever is 'long' for you right now, might be 8, but might be 6, only you know), and then 1 semi-long to reinforce the training affect of the long run (50-65% of the LR distance). Then a few other lighter recovery run days, however many days or miles that is to you.

Regarding the cross training and upper body comment - do a body check when you're running, wondering if your running with tense/shrugging shoulders, or swinging your arms across your body or some other form error that is fatiguing you? If so, you may want to focus on relaxing your form a bit...either way, cross-training is never a bad thing. You will rock this race, there are others who finish this who aren't 1/2 as committed as you are. Really.

 

[Erin_Akey]

I guess it is really my shoulder muscles that get sore. i don't think I swing too much, but will DEF check that later tonight when we run.

i really want to try and do a 10k so I can submit a time and not get put in the very last corral. i wonder if I do one in December if that is too late?

even if it is, I want to do the 10k anyway....I would hate to go into a 1/2 with only running 5ks before.

you are all so awesome. i really appreciate the kind words and tips more than you know.

My hubby and kids and I arrive Thursday before the race. I would LOVE the chance for us to meet some of you who are running that weekend as well!

 

[Phonedave]

My cross training is sort of wonky.

I take Tae Kwon Do, so I get plenty of core wore there. but it also leg heavy but it really helps in staying flexible.

When the spirit moves me, I throw in some yoga or just plain stretching. I also like to hit either the batting cages or the driving range every so often. Not really a work out, but it gets different muscle groups moving.

Sometimes I STILL get a sore right shoulder when I run.

-dave

 

[joel_maxwell]

My cross training is sort of wonky.

I take Tae Kwon Do, so I get plenty of core wore there. but it also leg heavy but it really helps in staying flexible.

When the spirit moves me, I throw in some yoga or just plain stretching. I also like to hit either the batting cages or the driving range every so often. Not really a work out, but it gets different muscle groups moving.

Sometimes I STILL get a sore right shoulder when I run.

-dave

I chase a 2.5 year old around for my cross training.

I like stretching. Im always on the floor stretching something. I dont have a gym membership right now either, but I do have a bike. All I need is to get it tuned up and I could do that for my CT for my Full in Feb.

What causes that right shoulder pain. Ironically enough, about once a month Ill get this horrible pain from around the front rotator cup area. It will last like a cramp and then sometimes go away quickly or nag for a bit.

EDIT: Yes, good to hear from you Erin. We all were worried.

 

[Erin_Akey]

Ok- I ran 4.1 miles tonight. I feel a little better knowing I can still go at least that far! I think we should be able to work back up to 8 pretty soon.

i think I need to do more stretching too. My son who runs cross country for his high school is always fussing about us not stretching AFTER a run, just BEFORE.

I think I need to get a lot more serious about the stuff that goes along with the running like nutrition, stretching, cross training etc.

 

[Phonedave]

Ok- I ran 4.1 miles tonight. I feel a little better knowing I can still go at least that far! I think we should be able to work back up to 8 pretty soon.

i think I need to do more stretching too. My son who runs cross country for his high school is always fussing about us not stretching AFTER a run, just BEFORE.

I think I need to get a lot more serious about the stuff that goes along with the running like nutrition, stretching, cross training etc.

You son is right.

If you are pressed for time, skip the stretch before the run, run slow the first mile or so, and then stretch AFTER. Stretching after is more important than before. (but stretch before if you can)

-dave

 

[Phonedave]

but I do have a bike. All I need is to get it tuned up and I could do that for my CT for my Full in Feb.

Maybe that's why my run was poor this afternoon.

I had my car in the shop today, so when it was ready I rode my bike the roughly 2 miles to the garage and picked it up.

I know it uses different muscles than running, but it is still legs. I like to do some core work, I know it helps with the running (and quite frankly its the part of my body that needs the work)

-dave

 

[WishIwasThere]

Glad to have you back Erin. It shouldn't take long to get back to the 8 mile, since you have already made it there once, the body remembers.

For cross training I do spin classes. My wife does Yoga. For me, spin makes me sweat like crazy without beating my feet against the pavement. I have found that spin class also helps me flush out the lactic acid built up from my long runs. I just turn the tension down and let the legs go.

From what I've heard from people you can submit times to Disney up until the check in. Email them the results and bring a hard copy with you incase they don't have it on record. The corrals, what I've read here and on other sites, is seperated by the color sticker you have on your bib.

I have a 1/2 marathon the DW is running with me next weekend to get me my time for the race. Looking forward to it, and my times are going down now that the weather is cooling off. Could also be that my endurance is getting better too.

 

[Erin_Akey]

Good to know about the times as it will likely be december before I can record a 10k!