Fast Running Blog

Some of the chicas of the fastrunningblog are planning on doing the Moab half marathon in March and I have been invited to join the group.  Of course I don't want to miss out...but I'm afraid my legs might pop off or something if I increase too fast.  Do you think I could be ready and uninjured in time?  What kind of weekly mileage would I have to get to to be "prepared" and how long should I maintain that mileage?   No voting on whether or not I'm going to do it until Sasha gives the all clear! 

You could be OK with 5 miles a day 6 days a week, but it would feel more like a marathon. Higher mileage would be better, it would make it feel more like a half. First step there - do not end a day until you've run 5, not necessarily at once, but no excuses.

Lybi,

to add to Sasha's post, if you can run 5 miles a day 5 days a week, and increase distance to 10 miles on the 6th day (gradually!), you'll be absolutely fine for the half! I ran several halfs in 98-99 on 3-4 5-milers + 10-12 miler a week, and I did pretty well. They certainly did not feel like marathons. I think you have enough time to build up your long run till March - just increase 1 mile every 2-3 weeks.

So Sasha, are you saying that you think I am ready for 5 a day?  That's a pretty big jump! 22 to 30.  If I get strep throat (again!) I am going to come cough all over you right before a big race...

Oh and thanks for the boost, Maria.  You are the BEST!

Lybi:

You are already running 5 miles on good days. Your 22 instead of 30 comes from slippage on bad days. The next logical step is to remove the slippage and never end a day without running at least 5. Slow it down to whatever you need to avoid the build up of fatigue, probably 10:30 mile pace at first. Once you adapt, then you can speed up to 10:00.