Running a 10K 8 Days before a Half-Marathon (Read 589 times)

I'm no expert, but personally I would run the 10K at about my half marathon pace - using it for practice - a training run. If I raced the 10K that might not be a good idea, but it is 8 days out. What about your taper?? How important is the 10K? With my luck recently, if I raced the 5K "to be safe", I'd probably pull a hammy or something!

Based on your log I don't think there is any problem doing both. It dosen't appear that you would be in any danger of imposing on your Half Mary Finishing time. Probably just the opposite. It'll more than likely be beneficial. Keep doing what your doing, ramping up your mileage, getting a good solid and easy "long"(er) run in once a week and you'll finish with respectable times in both races.

I say a 5k is ok but not a 10k on your low miles. If you were doing 40 or miles per week consistently I would say yes, but you are nt. This all out event on your low miles is too much before a half. Make the 5K your last hard quality work out surrounded by a couple slow miles before and after or do a slow long run the day after. Listen to your body.

Are you going to ramp up your miles? I just think you need to have a "goal" race and if the half marathon is your "goal" race, why take a chance on potentially affecting your performance. You may not, by why chance it???? Generally, it will take 6-7 days to fully recover from a 10K if you are fit. That is tight. Again, if your miles are up in the 40s or more, no problem, your fitness can support the intensity. It all comes down to how important it is to run your absolute best for this half. If it more of a fun run, then do both races. If the half is a major goal, then only do the 5K. OR, run the 10K at half marathon goal pace which is an excellent race specific work out at the right time frame for a carryover effect. And, recovery will be 2-3 days on your miles per week. Can't really break it down any more than that.