2 weeks till half marathon advice please 🙏

[Tessie66]

So as it says 2 weeks till half marathon I've been following NRC but did half instead off 10 miles. Do I still follow the half marathon plan or cut the running down now?

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

The simple answer to your question is “I don’t know”! Mainly because I don’t know how you feel post your HM. Until this year, I wouldn’t have dreamed of running two HMs within two weeks. This year I am fitter and stronger, and I managed a 20k one week and a HM PB one week later. That is how the NRC Marathon plan is structured. So, your question starts with you are feeling.

For the Health unlocked HM, I ran just short of HM with two weeks to go, and the next 5 runs leading up to the HM were 1hr: 40 minutes: 1hr, 6k, and 6k, so I really backed off. Two different approaches which worked. I think you need to see how you feel. How much did your HM take out of you would my starting point. Others will have a better idea I am sure.

[Tessie66 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

DEFINITELY going to back off now no more long runs till the half in 2 weeks

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Tessie66]

Sounds good.

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

I agree with Beachcomber66 - time to taper now.

Do you have a training plan? What does that advise for the next 2 weeks?

I think when I did a pre-race half marathon (I wanted to know I could complete it!) I then ran 5ks, 6.5ks and I think a 10k the week before. You want to get to the start line with fresh legs…and of course this will mean something different for everyone. Definitely shorter runs now though. Good luck.🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I agree. Easy, easy for the next two weeks. I'd suggest nothing more than 10k for one long run at the end of next week (and less if you're tired). To be fair, the last two weeks of the NRC plan ease of anyway. You won't lose fitness in two weeks, but you will get fresh legs and they will feel amazing!

[Tessie66 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I've just looked through the plan a lot of easy runs to finish just I'm 7 weeks in front but come new year will be doing the Marathon plan instead

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Tessie66]

Ahh, I think I see what you mean ... then, I would jump to 2 weeks to go in the NRC plan because that's what you have left and you know you've already run the longer distance.

I see they have a long run of 11k in the middle of those two weeks - try it, but with a sensible option to cut it short if you're too tired. You can also skip some of the runs that are scheduled in those last two weeks if tiredness is an issue. Preservation for Heaton Park is the name of the game right now!

[Tessie66 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I'll definitely get some shorter runs in

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

🙂 total agreement; ease off.

I am off for a 2 or 3k rehab run (so really slow) this morning following some eye watering physio last week on a pulled calf muscle. This was caused by running a bit too fast up a long incline, followed by a hill, at the end of a 13k run! Physio said that I had just been a bit unlucky. Today’s run is a bit of a test to see how things feel. I have been doing strength and flexibility exercises all week.

Your first (short and slow) recovery run this week will tell you a lot about how much that HM took out of you. You kept the pace down, but you were running for a long time, so your legs may need a bit of TLC in the form of loosening exercises/ rolling (mine would in those circumstances). Hydration may need attention too. Getting to the start line in two weeks loose as a goose would be perfect. Good luck.

[Tessie66 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thank you hope your run has gone well I've finished well in front of the Hm plan about 7 weeks early lol but I will definitely take it easy these next 2 weeks

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

You’ve done your longest run now so no need to do more. Was 10 miles the longest run on the plan? If so and the plan sounds ok for the last two weeks (ie no long, hard runs) then I’d just continue with that.

[Tessie66 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

In the plan I'd have 7 weeks to go so I've got to the half very early

[Tessie66 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

The longest run is a half but that's on the very last week

[nowster Metric Marathon]

Ease off now to feel fresher on the day.

However there's no specific need to taper for a fortnight before a half marathon like there is before a full marathon. It does depend a little on how your metabolism copes with running for an extended time.

My suggestion? A mixture of run lengths and intensities, none more than an hour in length, and plenty of rest days.

[Tessie66 Half Marathon in reply to nowster]

Thank you will do, no running in the snow and ice tonight though