DFW running club mark 2!! ALL ARE WELCOME!!!

RichOneday_2

Chickadee - You can run a good half marathon off that kind of mileage and really feel strong into the bargain. The only consideration would be if you plan to run another marathon in the next few months - if so then the long runs would be better increasing to 20-22 miles, it is the cumulative effect of doing this kind of distance week in, week out throughout the year which pushes the wall back and allows the last 6 miles to be a race rather than a battle for survival.

However, for the specific target race of the half marathon that looks just fine.:D

Simply - There's no need for formal intervals yet. You need a good base of steady mileage over a few months to bring down the risk of injury of doing such sessions, they are risky because muscles/tendons/ligaments/heart are all being pushed way beyond their comfort zone and it is the easiest thing in the world to snap something through lack of elasticity.

Far better to keep a routine of fartleks going for a while, which allow you to experience higher speeds but you're less likely to overdo the stresses because you can ease off anytime you want. Patience is one of the key parts of running training.

On the subject of patience, it is interesting to read a succession of posters on the Runner's World forum talking about how they've cancelled their subscriptions because of the way that the magazine is continually moving towards the 'quick fix' approach to try to keep its mass (and dare I say, naive) market audience interested. Front cover headlines such as 'Train For A Marathon In One Session Per Week' and 'Get Strong Core Muscles in On Week' are nothing other than laughable but are indicative of whats happening with the 'dumbing down' of training and hence the precipitous fall in standards.

Raph - If you feel a lot of pressure from the thought of racing then its a sure sign that the body isnt ready for it. Enjoy the btraining and forget racing until such time as you're itching to test yourself. Races are fun when you're ready - the feeling of an imminent race should be like a kid looking forward to xmas.:D

Alias_Omega

Well looks like ill be running with JJwhittle this afternoon, not been out since last wednesday. Legs feel fresh as last time they were heavy due to a hard 8miles at the weekend.

Wonder how ill get on compaired to last week, part of me does not want to do it, but then once im 10mins into it and i can see the end all becomes well again.

Suppose it does not help as ive not run long distances for nearly 4 weeks now.

RichOneday_2

Alias, what is today's race? is it an inter-services event? And what distance?

Alias_Omega

Inter-services..

9.5kms ~ 5.75miles.

krider2010

Thanks for the views on eating rich, chick, becky, simply, and anyone I've forgotten.

I'm a bit like becky/chick I think - I've done my long early morning runs on just a sports drink whilst going round, but I can't miss food in the middle of the day. I even tend to make sure I have a mid morning snack before running at lunchtime. If I miss food I go light-headed and/or snappy which can be a dangerous combination (mostly for others!). I will see how I go this afernoon and eat something appropriate but it was going to be a banana or a small handful of dried nuts/fruit. Nothing major.

Wish my comfortable runs were at the pace of yours raph

Idiophreak

Before I forget, just entered the llanelli 10k next sunday - not going to be easy for me at the mo

jjwhittle1981

Not been able to get to the race today with alias_omega, too much work on, which is a shame as i would have loved to have given him a good run for his money!!!!!LOL no chance from the last results alias is about 3 mins faster than me over the 6 miles, so some serious training will have to be done to catch up.

beer_tins

Just ripping off jjwhittle's sig and trying it out! Only using officially recorded times.

Rich, what's the 10K WR for SM30-34? I want to include my %!

Idiophreak

Did a gentle 4.2 earlier, first run in 3 weeks, but thought I'd probably try and get a couple in before the race.

Anyway, went well. Legs felt strong, actually. Wasn't too tired by the end. My still relatively new trainers didn't give me any hassle. Hopefully I'm not as far back as I feared, then

rupe34

Went for a run this morning before work (I normally only have chance to go in the evenings) - woah!! It seemed so HARD! Maybe psychological.

Thanks for the encouraging comments everyone - v much appreciated.