Is this a dumb idea, or a REALLY dumb idea.... (Read 952 times)

Last year, I did a 5k race at slightly less than maximum effort, to save myself for a 20 miler the very next day (the last prior to my marathon), which went fine. This year, it looks like I'd have to do the 20 miler the day BEFORE the same 5k if I want to do both. My plan has five 20 milers and this would be the final one. I don't care about a 5k pr, but I would like to run it close to all-out. One other thought: I've been doing most of my long runs @ 30-45 seconds slower than goal marathon pace, and I considered that I could do this one at 1-1:15 slower, STILL get the benefit, but keep myself a little fresher. Is this a recipe for an injury?

I 'think' that if I were in the final stages of Marathon training that I wouldn't let a 5K possibly get in my way.......if its a fun race that friends are going to and you want to attend, I personally think it wise to run a more normal pace and just enjoy the day.....maybe run at 10K pace and so what if your not fried after the race...you have bigger priorities... Personally, I think I'd probably blow the 5K off and focus on marathon training if I were serious about running a marathon.........or run it as part of marathon training and not focus much on my time or effort on the 5K.... Just wouldn't want to take a chance

there's nothing dumb or stupid about it. if it hurts during the 5k, then good. if it doesn't, run faster! see what kind of speed you have when slightly fatigued. For myself, I usually don't feel the affects of a longer run until 2 days after.

If it's an event you really enjoy, why not volunteer to work at the 5K rather than race? You'll still feel involved and see old friends, but won't risk a stupid injury.

If it's an event you really enjoy, why not volunteer to work at the 5K rather than race? You'll still feel involved and see old friends, but won't risk a stupid injury.

This has my vote as well, but I volunteer at a dozen races or so annually anyway. I have done a 5k 3 days after a marathon on one occasion and 3 days after a 50k on another, and neither time was my 5k anywhere close to competitive no matter how much I tried to make it so. (+6-7 minutes, I think, but I'd have to check.)

Why not include the 5K race as part of the 20 mile run? Do a warmup, run the 5K all out and do a long cooldown after the race.

All great comments.. Thank you! Running the 5k as part of the 20 isn't an option.. it's actually a 5k that takes place at a craft fair my wife attends... Not sure what my answer is, but thanks for the insights. ... I agree with the over-riding thing: it's all about the marathon. I don't want to screw that up.

The Kerouac 5K is one of my favorite races, with refreshments, music AND adult beverages included. Last year it was an absolutely perfect day, hopefully on the 28th it's more of the same. The race is exactly three weeks before the BayState Marathon, which was the date of my training schedule's final long run. I've moved the long run to Saturday, and I'll be doing the Kerouac as a recovery slog. I mean recovery run. The training schedule has an easy four miler on the day after so as long as I resist any temptation to actually race it I should be OK. If I forget it's supposed to be an easy run, I'm quite certain my legs will remind me. As long as you don't push beyond comfortably hard running, I think you'll be fine. I personally wouldn't run it close to all out. Best of luck Marcus.