My last full week of training for our upcoming half marathon has not gone quite as planned and I am feeling kinda crummy about it.
Last Saturday we ran 11 miles. I was pretty spent by the time it was done but so elated and excited, too. I think I did all the right things to recover and did have a good sleep on Saturday night. Sunday was an active rest day, doing a bit of shopping and some gardening in our new containers on the apartment balcony.
Monday we ran our scheduled 5 miles... and I could feel a fever blister (cold sore) starting to bubble up above my top lip. I have a great product that I purchased in WA a couple of years ago so started using it immediately. But this only ever happens to me when I am feeling run down and it is a warning signal to get some serious rest so I don't get sick. The Captain says he has been feeling a bit weak too.
We have been doing too much with the running training, and getting this new household set up and looking after the house and yard we are staying in right now. I know there has been some stress involved too, and as fun as it all is, it is hard work as well.
So, I have given up the strength training for now, at least till after the race is over. And we are relaxing and resting more in the evenings. And slightly backing off race training too.
Yesterday's 5 mile run became a 5 km run... that is 3.1 miles. I am telling myself that is not significant as it was a mid-week run.
We have a 10 mile run scheduled for Saturday. It is the last long run before our race on May 13th. I had originally hoped to repeat the 11 miler we did last weekend, but I realize now that is unrealistic and may lead to getting really run down and sick, just before the race. That would be dumb, but I cannot help feeling a bit disappointed.
We will probably wait till Sunday to run, to get in one more day of rest... and it may be only 9 miles. That was a relatively easy distance but I am hoping it is enough, and then we do a 2 week taper before the race.
What do you think?
Should we proceed as I have laid out, with the slightly scaled back plan or should we push for the 10 or 11 miles and risk getting sick?
I think you'll be fine. You could run a half today if you really had to and one smaller run doesn't make a big difference in the long run. I think that it is very normal to be run down at this point in the training. Focus on the positive (you ARE trained enough to do this) and you'll be fine!
ReplyDeleteScale back, Elle! Our race is NEXT weekend, I have several ladies in my group going through this right now (one is actually sick and has a head cold w/fever and I told her to not even think about running a few miles until mid-next week). It is not uncommon at this stage in your training - at all! Your immune systems have been compromised by all of your training and you're right, your bodies are telling you enough is enough.
ReplyDeleteScale back and don't run the 11 miles, would be my advice. Rest. It will not, I promise, derail your training to this point.
Here is the thing I have learned: Nothing you DON'T do at this point with running is going to make or break this. You have put in the work and you are prepared. Rest now and run well later. You will be okay! :)
I would scale it back for sure. You don't want your body to be totally depleted for your race. You have done the work, get some rest and take it easy:) I hope that fever blister goes away.
ReplyDeleteYou have to trust all the training you have done and the race isn't going to be determined on one last long run. The most important thing now is that you stay/get healthy. I would keep an open mind and wait and see how you feel, but not feel you have to get the longer run in - do whatever you feel comfortable doing!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have done plenty already :) I'd cut right back to just a few miles for each run. You've done 11 so you know you can go the distance. Let your body relax a bit and everything will be fine.
ReplyDeleteScale back. Normally, you have a taper week, where you run maybe half of the distance you will be racing as your long run. So that would mean you should only run 6 miles this weekend. Take it easy; I know it feels strange (or lazy, or unproductive) but your body needs to recuperate and then it will give you back a surge of energy when you need it. I would suggest a few short runs next week (2-4 miles) with TWO full days of rest before the race. This weekend, you should really just take it easy, do a fun easy 5-8 mile run. Don't worry about the 10 or 11; you know you can run that far, and therefore 13, so just take a little break until race weekend.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is any harm at all in scaling back. Get plenty of rest and enjoy a slower longer run that won't wear you out - if that's 8 or 9 miles, fine! After your 11 miler you are ready for the half either way and extra rest will only benefit you further.
ReplyDeleteI'd cut back too. If you've run 11 the adrenaline on race day will carry you through. I'd take it easy especially the week before. You want to be refreshed on race day not worn out!
ReplyDeleteScale back - you aren't going to get faster or stronger in 2 weeks! Someone once told me that before my first 5k when I got sick and couldnt run and it made complete send. If I were you I'd do slow SLOW 3 mile runs every other day and then do your long run, take 2 rest days and start tappering.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely scale it back. Missing a few miles will be far less impact on you than pushing yourself too hard when you're rundown and possibly burning out completely. You've totally done enough training by this point to get through the half. Rest up, enjoy your taper and you'll have an awesome race!
ReplyDeleteGreat job listening to your body! You should be fine, you will be amazes how you can pull through on race day.
ReplyDeleteElle, I totally know what you mean about knowing when your body is just plain ol' exhausted...I bet that if you take a little extra rest time it could end up doing wonders in the end :) So it's up to you, just listen to your body and trust in your training!
ReplyDeleteI would do 8 this week
ReplyDelete10 next week for you last LR before you half
I am no expert, but I ran a half with 8 miles being my longest run and it was fine. Race day adrenaline will take you a long way and you should ALWAYS listen to your body. Good luck!!!
ReplyDeletego with your gut girl, you will not lose the training you have worked up too if you take some time off to heal up!
ReplyDelete