You may remember my crazy post from a few days ago about the five half marathons in five days? You know, this…
I realize it’s 7 months away, but there’s been a lot of discussion about it in our house. I mean, the cost and logistics of getting four people from DC to Amarillo, TX, is a bit daunting. That’s without even thinking about the missed school, the missed work, and what the heck the boys will do while I’m running. There’s even been some discussion of having my non-runner husband volunteer at the races so that I can get a free race or two.
But the piece of planning that has been foremost in my mind is “how do I train my body to cover that kind of mileage over 5 days?” (And maybe a little bit of thinking about what level of Half Fanatic I can get to with that in hand…)
My mileage is low. Like, bottom of the barrel, low. (Hey, I can only go up from here, right?) I’m not even sure I ran double digit mileage in July. (Ok, I know I ran more than 10 miles because my races were more than that, but I think saying I ran 30 miles in July would be generous.)
My speed is gone. Eh, who cares? Those races will be all about finishing them. I may decide I have to embrace the Galloway method as I get farther along in my training…
On the bright side, I’m five pounds down from where I was at the start of the summer. My injuries all seem to be healed. I’ve done a boatload of functional cross training. All of my real training will be in the cooler weather, while my kids are at school.
So here’s my vague plan:
August/September: Build my running/mileage so that I’m back to running 5 times a week, with a double digit long run.
October: Speedwork, while maintaining mileage (I do have a score to settle with the Army 10 Miler, after all).
November: Get my mileage up so that my long runs are 11-14 miles and my mid length runs are 6-9, with one to two shorter runs a week.
December: Long runs up to 13-16 + one other double digit + two 6-9, with one shorter run.
January: Long runs about the same, maybe more on the 16 end + two more double digit + two 6-9 mile runs. Try to group my runs into 3 or 4 days in a row each time.
February: Keep the same mileage, but start running 5 days in a row.
March: Extend the shortest runs so they are double digit and then taper.
Any thoughts? Anyone done something like this before? I basically pulled the training “plan” out of my a$$, so I’d appreciate any advice others would like to share (especially my streaker friends and my multiple long distance race friends.)
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I think you’re training plan makes a lot of sense. You have plenty of time to build up your mileage. My summer has been similar–lots of cross training, and trying to overcome some little nagging injuries. I think those breaks are really important, it was my “cut-back” month! I’m ready to ramp back up too.
I’ve been thinking about this too. I going to train on a marathon plan, but add an extra long run each week. Run both long runs back to back days.
I have a pretty good base and I think this is madness 😀 I have run half marathons back to back tons of times, but five days in a row? That seems like a ton! Also, my coach would nix this so it isn’t even an option 🙁 Not to mention, I can’t justify a week off from work.
Anyway, I think probably the idea of running at least 3-4 days in a row with… 8 or 9 miles maybe? I have no idea. I have hardly ever specifically trained for anything, so I don’t even know.
But it sounds fun, and I’m intrigued by the special medal you would get for doing all five.
Thanks for posting your plan. I need to follow it too!
I was mostly planning to get to a long run on Saturday and Sunday. That would really shake up my current training.
I agree with you, taking an event like this on isn’t about the finish times. It’s about finishing without injury.
I agree with Laura. I think the plan has all the key pieces including some breaks. You’re crazy but I love it!
That is a toughie to plan for! I don’t know if mileage is key, or learning some valuable secrets to recovery — when you have no time to recover.
I think your training makes sense but I honestly don’t have any advice for you but I WILL be cheering you on 🙂
The travel logistics will be crazy, but for the training, I would say just to plan lots of back to back (to back!) long-ish runs to get your body used to running distance several days in a row (similar to training for the Goofy challenge). You can do it! It will be a fun adventure!
Wow! With my limited experience I have nothing to offer you but support and admiration. I would love to read about it as you progress.
You inspire me beyond belief!
Sounds great. I like unusual goals. Good luck working it out.
Looks like a little too much mileage to me, especially March. Maybe focus more on running fatigued? Like putting your long run the day after your speed work days instead of so many miles. I know if I did that, I’d probably end up injured just a few weeks before the big trip…but you might not be as injury prone as I am. 🙂
and the “if I did that” part referred to your plan, not my suggestion. 🙂
I’ve also got a suggestion for your California race: theave.org or redwoodsmarathon.org . Both are on the same course and have a few different distances.
I’d like to see the money plan as welll 😉 ok..in some ways I think this is like training for an ultra. Have you looked at any of those plans? It seems like you have a solid plan for building, but you also don’t want to burn out and I think that’s something a lot of those plans do well.
so freaking cool and I kind of really dislike you right now because I’m digging through the details of this and pondering…
I have no idea how the logistics of this would work but I’ve been considering it as well. How does one plan to run 5 half marathons in 5 days? I feel like that doesn’t happen very often in one’s running career.
I like the plan and the map…hopefully see you there…although it it “three for me”
I like your map too I have one in Powerpoint… but so far for me it is 10 states +DC and will be 40 Halfs when I complete Glasgow Scotland Half Marathon in three weeks..