Training for Multiple Races

[fitmama2e]

Hi All~

Between August and February we are doing 5 half marathons (the 1st and last being the Dumbo and the GSC) spaced between 5-6 weeks apart. Any tips on how to train in between the races?

TIA!

 

[kappyfamily]

I know everyone is different but I always take about 5-6 days off after a half. The next 2 weeks I will do three runs, a 2 miler(speed) 4 miler(hills) and a 6 miler. then increase each by a mile. About 8 days before my next half my long run will be a 9 miler. Then I'm ready to go for race weekend. Again everyone is different, but this seems to work for me. Hope this helps!

 

[Diskidatheart]

I did 3 half marathons within a 4 month period. I took a few weeks off between the 1st and 2nd ones due to a minor injury that I incurred during the training of the 1st one. I just followed the same schedule that I did for the first half marathon except I skipped some of the weeks in the beginning of the training plan so that my schedule had me running a 12 miler 2 weeks prior and then a 8-9 miler the week before. I'm not sure if that is the best way to do it, but it worked for me.

 

[fitmama2e]

Thank you!

 

[JessM]

I've got 3 halfs coming up this fall spaced about 4 weeks apart. I'm going to do a 10miler directly between both races and just continue my shorter runs and speedwork as I have been with training (speed work one day a week, plus 2 other 6mile runs). I'll probably take it easy the week before and week after each half (3-3milers) and then go back to business as usual for the 2 weeks in between. Hopefully it will work out

 

[FireDancer]

It really depends on how many miles you normally do and your fitness level. I'll be doing 5 halves this year and what I do is just plan out my running so that my long runs land on the days I'm doing the races. I usually take the day after my long run off (or do upper body work in the gym) but extend that to two days after a half. My long runs are between 10-15 miles anyway so making the half the long run day works without really disrupting your schedule.

Now, if you have one of the races targeted to run a PR you might want to do some more race targeting than just making it a long run day but that will depend on how you normally prepare for target races. How you line up your speed work and stuff like that.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

It really depends on how many miles you normally do and your fitness level. I'll be doing 5 halves this year and what I do is just plan out my running so that my long runs land on the days I'm doing the races. I usually take the day after my long run off (or do upper body work in the gym) but extend that to two days after a half. My long runs are between 10-15 miles anyway so making the half the long run day works without really disrupting your schedule.

Now, if you have one of the races targeted to run a PR you might want to do some more race targeting than just making it a long run day but that will depend on how you normally prepare for target races. How you line up your speed work and stuff like that.

Great post. If your mileage will be peaking near 13 miles for the first half, then your strategy would be different that that for someone who regularily runs 10+ miles as their weekly long run. I also put in a weekly long run between 10-16 miles, and I only need one day to recover from a half before training again. When my mileage is lower, I would need more recovery time.

 

[Figment1990]

Great post. If your mileage will be peaking near 13 miles for the first half, then your strategy would be different that that for someone who regularily runs 10+ miles as their weekly long run. I also put in a weekly long run between 10-16 miles, and I only need one day to recover from a half before training again. When my mileage is lower, I would need more recovery time.

This is a great thread. I can't imagine 5 halfs that close right now, but I hope i get there someday because there are so many races I want to do. As I'm currently planning to run 3 halfs, the last of which is the Glass Slipper Challenge in Feb and the first is Wine & Dine in Nov with Tink in the middle, I'm following along with interest.

Due to some unfortunate injuries this spring, my long run mileage WILL be peaking around 13 miles before the 1st half. Originally that I was not my plan, but that's what it is now. Here is my current tentative plan between W&D and Tink & GSC as far as weekly "long" runs:
W&D (13)-4-6-7-8-5-9-10-8-5-Tink(13)-6-8-10-5-PHM(13)

I'm trying to go at it from the perspective of total mileage in every 2 week segment. Not sure if that will work, but it makes sense in my mind.

I've only ever done 1 half (W&D 2012) and I ended up slightly injured, and I'm a bit injury prone, so I'm hoping to just make it through these races. PRing at this year's W&D possibly but Tink and PHM/GSC I just want to get through them and am looking at it more as whole than 2, well 3, races.

 

[FireDancer]

This is a great thread. I can't imagine 5 halfs that close right now, but I hope i get there someday because there are so many races I want to do. As I'm currently planning to run 3 halfs, the last of which is the Glass Slipper Challenge in Feb and the first is Wine & Dine in Nov with Tink in the middle, I'm following along with interest.

Due to some unfortunate injuries this spring, my long run mileage WILL be peaking around 13 miles before the 1st half. Originally that I was not my plan, but that's what it is now. Here is my current tentative plan between W&D and Tink & GSC as far as weekly "long" runs:
W&D (13)-4-6-7-8-5-9-10-8-5-Tink(13)-6-8-10-5-PHM(13)

I'm trying to go at it from the perspective of total mileage in every 2 week segment. Not sure if that will work, but it makes sense in my mind.

I've only ever done 1 half (W&D 2012) and I ended up slightly injured, and I'm a bit injury prone, so I'm hoping to just make it through these races. PRing at this year's W&D possibly but Tink and PHM/GSC I just want to get through them and am looking at it more as whole than 2, well 3, races.

I don't think you have to do more than a 10 mile training run to prepare for a half. The longest I ran before my first half was 10 and I had no trouble. If the 13 mile run is longer than you normally go however your recovery time will usually be longer. In that case I'd play it by ear and how your legs feel. Take the amount of time off you feel is necessary and when you go out do a short run and use it to see how you feel. If you get the end of your street and you feel more pain then you should stop and give it another day.

There is also a lot to be said about more frequent running. If long runs are too hard on your body doing more frequent short runs will give you gains as well.

 

[kappyfamily]

I don't think you have to do more than a 10 mile training run to prepare for a half. The longest I ran before my first half was 10 and I had no trouble. If the 13 mile run is longer than you normal go however you recovery time will usually be longer. In that case I'd play it by feel and how your legs feel. Take the amount of time off you feel is necessary and when you go out do a short run and use it to see how you feel. If you get the end of your street and you feel more pain then you should stop and give it another day.

There is also a lot to be said about more frequent running. If long runs are too hard on your body doing more frequent short runs will give you gains as well.

Agree completely. I never did more then 10 miles before my first half and did great. Since then I've done 9 more halfs (in about 15 months)and have only ever had my longest be 9 miles about 7 days before race day. I know my sis-in law trains this way as well.

 

[fitmama2e]

I've never done over 10 except race days, and in the past I usually break from running for a month or so then start the next Galloway training plan with tweaks. This is my first attempt at races close together. Thanks for all the input, it will definitley help me put together a plan.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Agree completely. I never did more then 10 miles before my first half and did great. Since then I've done 9 more halfs (in about 15 months)and have only ever had my longest be 9 miles about 7 days before race day. I know my sis-in law trains this way as well.

It depends on your racing goals. When my long runs are at or near 20 miles, I can run a half at my 10k pace. When my long runs are below 10 miles, my half pace is more than 1 min/mile slower no matter how fast I run during training. I have found my long run distances to be key to my performance in races beyond 10k in distance.

Then again, everyone is different. This is only my experience.

 

[John VN]

As mentioned, it depends on fitness level and desired goals.

I have my first Ironman this November 2nd. I'm going for a PR!

Then comes the Space Coast Half Marathon with my 11yo DGS.

January will be Dopey with the required McFlurry stop during the Full.

Then a few weeks later the Marathon in Celebration.

Unlike so many others, I'm out there just for exercise and fun. Too old for anything else. You will know your body by the first race and should exercise accordingly thereafter.

McFlurry John