Advice on where to go from here?

[lenshanem]

OK, so I can now run a 10K - what do I do now? Tomorrow I'm starting an 8 week program to prepare me to train for a half training program. Really it is a run farther program that is in the book I've been using and I feel like I need to be on some sort of program to stay on track.

I can run a 10K with no walking breaks and my pace is in the 11:00 range. DH thinks I need to do the run faster program in my book instead, but it seems like it will take me back cause the running distances are so much shorter. I just don't know!

I need a goal. DH is doing a half in late March. Given where I'm at now do you think I'm capable of training for that half? It seems so scary! I know I want to do the next Disney half in 2009, but that is sooo far away. I need a goal now. Stupid as this may seem, I think a Disney half is more motivating to me than just another half cause I love WDW so much. I'm insane.

I was looking at the Marathon for Mortals at the bookstore. It seems like alot of walking, would I be going backward if I started this book? Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Any half programs out there that would fit where I'm at now?

There is a local Thanksgiving Day 10K I could do. 4,000 people - more than what was at RFTT. I would just need to talk the grandparents into watching the girls, might be hard since they're having company.

I feel lost!

 

[princessrunner]

I am in the same place you are! Isn't it nice to know there are more of us out there?? At least the 2 of us anyhow. I was doing a lot of interval training and speed work just to try and get my times down to around 8:30 to 9:00 MPM and it did work, even though the distances are shorter. I have a lot of 1/2 mile fast runs with rests in between in my training regimen and I use the recovery time to walk. It keeps my distances up.

If you can find a half somewhere between you and Maine (WDW is great of course, if they institute a new one!!), I would LOVE to have a partner to run with!!! It will give us both something to work toward. Either that, or just pick one and I will find one with a date close to it and we can just keep each other going!!

 

[Cindylou]

Shan: I think you could definitely train to do a half by March, but it seems that saving the WDW 2009 Half to be your first might make sense. If you do that you can find several 5K, 10K or 10 milers to train for over the next year then start your Half training next September. That way you'll have a solid speed base then you can build up your mileage base. It may seem like you are stepping backwards because your distances are shorter, but you won't feel like you're slacking when you've done 5 miles worth of speed intervals.

Check out Coolrunning.com to find a list of possible races to motivate you.

Good luck.
Cindy

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks Lisa and Cindy!

Lisa, if I do any half before Disney in January 2009 it will probably be the one my DH is doing this coming late March. There is no pace requirement like at Disney since it shares the full's course so if I end up needing to walk I can still make it to the finish with no sweeper bus looming behind me.

OK, I'm about to go out and run. I guess I'm just gonna start the run farther program. DH is out of town and I'm not sure I totally understand the run faster program... I know he is gonna want me to do that instead. Is my 11:00 pace range really considered slow for an average joe?

I guess it all comes down to pace or distance for me right now.


Any thoughts on that Marathon for Mortals anyone? Would it be going backward for me?

 

[princessrunner]

I don't blame you for not wanting the sweeps behind you, makes me almost as nervous as a construction worker in a thong!! I think I am going to shoot for the 2009 half and keep working on my speed. I don't think that 11:00 is anything to be ashamed of. If you have check the pace requirements for the WDW races, you are under that and that is all that matters right??!!

You can always switch programs once your DH returns. As long as you don't give up you are always on the right track! Hope to see you in 2009!

 

[gatorphipps]

If you can do a 10k with around a 11 min pace...you really do not even need to think about sweepers......Really, you could do this years 1/2 if it were still opened. Where you are now is great...
But, you do need to think about if you want to increase speed or distance...I would not recomend doing both at the same time. You can, but it needs to be done slowly so not to get hurt.
For longer distances, it is wise to include walk breaks...like at every mile or the water stops or 1 min every 10 min...This will leave you fresher for the end of the race. It is not a step back...even though I understand how you feel. For a 1/2 or marathon, I normally walk through the water stops and when I open my gels...every 4 miles.

Hope this is clear. Let me know if you have questions....

 

[escape]

Shan, you can definitely do a half by next March. I participated in the WDW half this past January and I didn't even get off the couch until last August to start exercising. I didn't run the half, I did a combination of walk with a little bit of jogging in there (not much, though). My time was slow - 14:50 pace - but my goal was just to finish. And, I did.

As for Marathoning for Mortals - I highly recommend this book for the inspiration alone. After reading it, I felt like I could conquer the roads. Well, at least I had the courage to get out there try. The training plans in the book are not just for walkers. There are four recommended plans - for walkers only, for walkers with a little running, for runners with a little walking, and for runners only. If you are mostly running, you could follow the run or the run/walk plan. These plans would not be a step backward by any means. Actually, none of them would be a step backwards...it just depends on which one is right for you.

Other popular plans include Hal Higdon's (http://www.halhigdon.com/)or Jeff Galloway's (http://www.jeffgalloway.com/). Of course, there are many other plans out there as well.

Good luck with your training. Again, I think the half in March is very doable for you at this point.

 

[lenshanem]

Maybe I will sign up to do the half with DH in March.

The program I used to start running actually had walk breaks and then slowly increased the running until I had no walk breaks anymore. Otherwise, I probably would have never stuck with the running.

Maybe I'll go get the book and look at the run/walk program.

For the RFTT I walked while drinking my water at the three water stops. I didn't really plan on walking breaks, but I'm not coordinated enough to run and drink a cup of water at the same time.