Beginners and Beyond

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Need honest advice about upcoming 10M race.... (Read 117 times)

kristin10185


Skirt Runner

    Ok I need honesty here friends, and I trust you all to be honest with me.

     

    So in December I registered for a 10 mile race on June 15th. In December I was on top of the world after finishing my first 10K, that I had built up to after 5 months of running. Adding 4 more miles over the next 6 months?! NO BIG DEAL!!! Right? Right! .....wrong.

     

    So most of you know that I had to take the entire month of January off because of a terrible case of ITBS. After PT and lots of stretching, strengthening, foam rolling, ect. I got back to running, but knew that building up to 10 miles by June was going to be rough. I knew back in February that at best I would be running the 10 mile race easy and not racing it, and that was ok.

     

    But then May happened. Many of you may know that in May I barely ran at all. It was a huge combination of a lot of things.... stress (I quit my job, started a new job, my dog died, ect), got sick more than once (sinus infection and cough at the beginning of the month, stomach bug at the end), aggravated my IT band (though not badly, it was fine after a few extra rest days), tweaked my hamstring (was also fine after a few rest days).... and long story short ran under 30 miles in the whole month.

     

    So....my longest run to date is 6.2 miles. I am coming off a very low mileage month.... what do I do???

     

    This was an expensive race. And the "Race T-Shirt" is actually a $99 retail value running rain jacket. It is also a destination race (somewhat) for me. I would really like to not have to DNS.....

     

    My tentative plan is to line up with either the 1:55 pace group or 2:00 pace group. My easy pace is usually between 10:40 and 11:40 minute miles, occasionally up to 12:00 if I am having a rough day (recovery pace). I planned to run the race really easy and take walk breaks if needed. I don't care about my time. BUT, honestly, is it foolish to even attempt to easy jog/walk a race 4 miles longer than my longest run coming off a low mileage month? Am I an idiot to try this/??

    PRs:   5K- 28:16 (5/5/13)      10K- 1:00:13 (10/27/13)    4M- 41:43 (9/7/13)   15K- 1:34:25  (8/17/13)    10M- 1:56:30 (4/6/14)     HM- 2:20:16 (4/13/14)     Full- 5:55:33 (11/1/15)

     

    I started a blog about running :) Check it out if you care to

    Jack K.


    uʍop ǝpᴉsdn sǝʇᴉɹʍ ʇI

      Just go for it and do what you can do. You have already accepted that you won't be at your best so get your cool jacket, run/walk the race, have fun doing it, and make a fun weekend out of it.

      Zentastic


      Chasing Rainbows

        If it was me I would DNS it.  I've done that many times when I've been injured or just coming back after an injury and I know I'm not ready to race the distance.  It's better to do that and focus on getting healthy again than to risk further injury.  It's just a race - there will be others.

        The obstacle is the path. - Zen proverb

        Philliefan33


          Do you have to finish to get the jacket?  DNS doesn't have to mean you don't get the race packet.  I

          Adam_McAllen


          Beer-and-waffle Powered

            Can you run right now? And can you trust yourself to drop out of a race? I was injured last year when I was supposed to run the Paris Marathon. Since I really wanted to at least get some of the experience I started the race and then dropped out after about 9km of very easy running. You've already paid for the registration, so don't think about that money... it's already gone. If you can afford to go to the race I'd say just go and run as much as you're COMFORTABLE running.

            In the words of my late-coach : Just hang in there, relax... and at the end of a race anyone you see.....just pass them

            MJ5


            Chief Unicorn Officer

              I'm with Philliefan.  Get your packet, but maybe don't race.  You didn't say anything about what all you did between January and May, though. If you had a solid 3 months of running in there, go for it.  If not, I think it takes a bigger person to realize when a race is not the best idea and bag it, then to suffer through it and expose yourself to further injury, a crappy time, and more frustration.

              Mile 5:49 - 5K 19:58 - 10K 43:06 - HM 1:36:54

              kristin10185


              Skirt Runner

                As for going to packet pickup and not racing, I wouldn't wear a jacket of a race I didn't run. Also, I would need to be at packet pickup at 5:45am, not doing that if I'm not racing.

                 

                February, March and April were strong running months. Had a few runs of 6 miles, and took over 5 minutes iff my 5K time. It was just May that sucked royally. Nothing  currently hurts. I can run...hamstring is fine, IT band is fine. If I run easy I feel like I can run forever. I akways finish training runs feeling like I coukd have run further and faster. But FOUR miles more....I just don't know

                PRs:   5K- 28:16 (5/5/13)      10K- 1:00:13 (10/27/13)    4M- 41:43 (9/7/13)   15K- 1:34:25  (8/17/13)    10M- 1:56:30 (4/6/14)     HM- 2:20:16 (4/13/14)     Full- 5:55:33 (11/1/15)

                 

                I started a blog about running :) Check it out if you care to

                DanFuller


                5K Specialist

                  What is your current mileage and long runs

                  Personal Bests:

                  800M - 2:38 (5/28/13) | 1 Mile -5:54 (5/28/13) | 3K - 11:55 (12/29/12) | 2M - 13:00 (12/1/12) | 5K - 20:00 (4/12/13) | 13.1M - 1:37:24 (2/3/13)

                  kristin10185


                  Skirt Runner

                    And yes, if I was in pain I trust myself to DNF. I also have no shame in walking. But even with walking is 10 miles too long on my feet if I'm not properly trained?

                    PRs:   5K- 28:16 (5/5/13)      10K- 1:00:13 (10/27/13)    4M- 41:43 (9/7/13)   15K- 1:34:25  (8/17/13)    10M- 1:56:30 (4/6/14)     HM- 2:20:16 (4/13/14)     Full- 5:55:33 (11/1/15)

                     

                    I started a blog about running :) Check it out if you care to

                    Docket_Rocket


                      6 miles be OK to finish the 10, not ideal but it is what it is.  I would try the run but I would attempt a 12mm instead of your usual pace to take into account your lower endurance now due to the breaks.  Good luck!

                      Damaris

                       

                      As part of the 2024 London Marathon, I am fundraising for VICTA, a charity that helps blind and visually impaired children. My mentor while in law school, Jim K (a blind attorney), has been a huge inspiration and an example of courage and perseverance. Please consider donating.

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                      Rondog65


                        I am no expert and probably shouldn't being weighing in, but I would make a go of it.  Set your own goals and expectation and make a conervative attempt at them.

                        Ron's PRs 5K 24:14 (12/07/2013); Half Marathon 1:53:33 (5/26/2013)

                        Love the Half


                          I vote for get the packet but don't race.  Ask yourself if this race is worth being injured and unable to run for 2-3 weeks.  I have run in races where the answer to that question is "yes" but I have also DNS'd a couple when the answer was "no."

                          Short term goal: 17:59 5K

                          Mid term goal:  2:54:59 marathon

                          Long term goal: To say I've been a runner half my life.  (I started running at age 45).

                             Am I an idiot to try this/??

                             

                            No.

                             

                            If you're completely OK with easy running coupled with walking, there's should be no reason why you won't be able to cover 10 miles.  Just really do take it easy and walk when you want.

                            wcrunner2


                            Are we there, yet?

                              It looks like the race has a 3 hour time limit. You should be able to finish in less than 3 hours even if you walk half the distance. My recommendation is DNS but pick up your packet including the jacket and go ahead and wear it.  I think the whole idea of not wearing a t-shirt or jacket from a race unless you ran it is one of the more ridiculous idea that has surfaced since I started running. Hardcore old-timers like myself have never had a problem with wearing shirts from races we hadn't run. If you aren't comfortable with wearing the jacket with a DNS, go ahead and jog/walk the course. If you limit your running you shouldn't have any problems with your hamstring and IT band if they're feeling okay now.

                               2024 Races:

                                    03/09 - Livingston Oval Ultra 6-Hour, 22.88 miles

                                    05/11 - D3 50K
                                    05/25 - What the Duck 12-Hour

                                    06/17 - 6 Days in the Dome 12-Hour.

                               

                               

                                   

                              GinnyinPA


                                If you have no pain during your runs over the next eight days, go for it.  If you feel any serious pain, then DNS.

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