Lessons learned from back to back half marathons (s0me of these I should have known LOL):
- Fueling and hydration are key. I did not eat enough of Friday or Saturday morning, nor did I drink enough during the race. (Just ’cause it’s raining doesn’t mean you aren’t sweating…) I ate pretty much constantly after the race on Saturday and I think it made a huge difference on Sunday.
- There is a difference between running a race and racing a race. I raced Richmond. My time may not have been that exciting, but I put everything out there. This is not something I’d recommend if you have a second half marathon the next day. (I don’t regret it though.)
- Sleep is important. I went into Friday sleep deprived. I didn’t sleep well on Friday or Saturday, so by Sunday morning, I was really tired.
- Back to back long runs are necessary. I didn’t train well for this. My mileage was lower than I wanted and the frequency of my runs was low. But, I did run back to back runs each week with my longer run the first day and my faster, but still medium long, run the next day. This gave my legs and my mind the strength to run through trashed quads.
- I enjoy these kind of challenges. There, I admitted it. I’m crazy. In my world, it makes more sense to run two half marathons in the same weekend than to run one full marathon. I want to do this again and I’m ready to train for Riverboat.
Speaking of Riverboat, I have sent in my registration. I’ve also registered for the Madison Mini in August and I’ll be registering shortly for the Frederick Half Marathon in May. That’s 7 races already paid for and we haven’t even hit 2014! I’m still very much toying with going for Venus as a Half Fanatic next year.
I am currently on Earth and Mercury and the Sun (52 halves in one year) are not options due to limits on time and funds, not to mention I’m not sure my body could do it. But 13 halves in 79 days? Yeah, that’s doable! I’m still planning my attack, but 6 of the 13 are set. What’s 7 more?
To that end, I’ve decided to join in the 14 in 2014 fun. This year I’m committing to 14 half marathons and I intend to do them all as IRL races. Crazy? Maybe, but what’s one more when you’ve managed 13?
Help me out! What’s your favorite spring half marathon (approx. March 15-June 1)? Bonus points if it is within four hours of DC!
Runner’s World Half in Bethlehem, PA. http://rw.runnersworld.com/rwhalf/
I would totally join in on 14 in 2014 but don’t think it fits in the budget 🙁
I did 13 in 2013 and will do 14 in 2014 too. But I’m doing a race variety.
I thought I was going to do a variety this year and then got sucked into all halves when I missed my first two shorter races…
I respect what some of the Marathon (and Half-Marathon) Maniacs have done, but in the end, it’s just numbers. To your point of funding – well said. I could easily do a 13.1 mile run every weekend, but because I am not paying for the privilege, it doesn’t count!
The Madison Mini is a fantastic race! I’ll be there as well!
I don’t have a favorite, but I’m considering heading to Toledo, OH for Glass City. It’s in April
ooh!!! That’s a lot of half marathons in 79 days! I’m on the sun level, but only because I was racing the states, I don’t think I ever did more than 34 in a year?
Ocean city 1/2 -end of April. Flat, flat race except for the bridge going from mainland to the assateague island at the very end if the race. Luckily in 2014, they are reversing the route, going from assateague to the OC inlet, so you tackle the bridge at the start of the race. Very fun! After party has been at Seacrets, surprisingly lame. I would skip it and go to the bayside skillet for an awesome breakfast. Good luck with the 14in 2014!
Thanks! I’ll have to check that one out! I’m hoping to have them all close enough together that I don’t actually have to do training runs in between LOL.
Long Branch Half in Long Branch , NJ and the April Fool’s half in Atlantic City.Both races are in April. Super Hero half in Morristown ,NJ in May.
Ooh, I’ll have to check dates on those. I haven’t run my New Jersey race yet…
It’s a little further away but I’ve heard good things about Cox Road Races in RI http://www.rhoderaces.com/half/ and I love Boston’s Run to Remember on Memorial Day weekend http://www.bostonsruntoremember.com/boston/index.html
Movie madness in Mt Wolf, PA. Cheap and good snacks afterwards. You run along the river, through a small town and one KILLER hill my husband loves it. I hate the hill but like how small and organized it is. Last year, he paced me to my PR. The year before, I ran it while training for the Bob Potts marathon and got my old PR then. I bet it’s 2 hrs from DC. Lots of great beers in York too!
Can’t help with the half. 🙂 Good lessons there. Back to back long runs is my secret weapon. I run all races nowadays and don’r race any.
You’ll do it! I think two in a weekend would be somewhat fun.
I still have to get Rhode Island and Massachusetts and Connecticut – you should join me when I head up there.
It’s not impossible!