Racing during marathon training. (Read 664 times)

I look at the total volume of work for the weekend.  The race covers the quality work so then I just need to figure out where to throw in the rest of the mileage.  For a half I agree with Tchuck.  It's pretty easy to pad the mileage and get up to 18 miles or so.  For a shorter race it's not always that easy.  You're talking an extra hour at least of running, and depending on how far you are traveling to the race and if you are with someone it may not be easy to get the extra work in at that time.  Last year I had a 5 mile race three weeks out.  The race was Saturday and I was with my wife so I couldn't add anymore mileage after it.  So I went out Sunday and ran 3 hours easy.  That worked well.

So think of the weekend as your total body of work.  The race is your quality.  Fit the other running in where it works best for you.  I don't think that you can go wrong that way.

I'm going against the grain here and say no, but it depends on which long runs you're talking about.  Those last 2 big long runs, you need to run these smartly (especially the last one) and not overly tax yourself.  Prior to that, knock yourself out.

well, yes, it depends on many factors.  However, as has been pointed out many, many times: there's nothing magical about a single long run. What matters is a consistent base of mileage. 

My training partners technique for the 3 weeks leading up to his key marathon is to go out and run about 18 miles, time the completion of that long run so that he can then get to the start of a 5K without having to stand arounch much, then run that 5K as hard as he can.  

A HM 5-6 weeks out is good timing.

A 10K 4-5 weeks out is good timing.

Anything closer for racing over 5K, and I'd start asking more questions about the value of the race vs any other workouts it may replace and/or comprimise with increased need for recovery.  You're getting into your last couple long runs which are probably of better race-specific value than a 10K.

If you do a HM it's probably harder on you than the way most people do long runs.  Throw in a mile or two warmup, a short jog cooldown, and there is no need to worry about the few miles you cut off.  It's not just the volume but what you are doing with it and a HM is a huge stimulus on your cardio system.

 My 1/2 marathon is about 6 weeks out. Id like to set a decent PR on this as I have only done one before some years ago. My 10k is only 2 weeks from the marathon. Perhaps I should try and find something a bit further out as I know i will get caught up in the "race" and go all out.

The timing of your HM if just fine.  You have time to recover from it and then get a few more weeks of good solid training in.

The 10K is a little problematic.  You "should" be recovered in time for the marathon but you are essentially committing to a full 2-week taper by racing then.  If anything happens during the 10K, little injury or something, it could wreck your marathon.  If you don't plan on running it all-out then it is much more acceptable and becomes a good last hard workout.

It will be hard to fit both a HM and 10K into those last 6 weeks....Perhaps the 10K 3 weeks out and running it un-tapered.  I would certainly not recommend setting any goal race within the 3 weeks before a marathon.  I did a goal 10K (my PR) 4 weeks out once and ended up ruining the most important marathon of my life.  Establish priorities and plan accordingly