So, I’m running a half marathon this weekend. Or maybe swimming it. Depends on how you read the weather forecast. As I mentioned recently, I, umm, haven’t been running a lot. Other than a half marathon in Ireland in July and a half in Wisconsin in August plus Ragnar, I haven’t run more than 7 miles in a row since June. Oops.
The race I’m running is part of one of the Mainly Marathon series. For a lot of reasons (not the least of which is I’m totally untrained), I’m only running one out of the five this time. And I’m really only doing it to see the friends I made in the last two series I did.
I guess I should still set some goals, huh?
1. Finish with a smile on my face.
2. Take in fewer calories than I run off. (What can I say? I’ll pass the snack table every two miles and it has great stuff at it!)
3. Finish faster than my slowest half marathon ever (Kentucky, this year).
4. Finish with a PR and dry clothes. (Yeah, both of those are a pipe dream).
I know I can’t be the only one who has ever run or contemplated running a race for which I am not completely trained. Life sometimes gets in the way, injuries happen, time moves faster than you expect… So, while I can’t condone running a race undertrained (note that I did not say untrained), here are some tips for making that (probably poor) choice a bit safer.
1. Know your limitations. It’s one thing to be undertrained. It’s entirely different to choose to run a race when you are completely untrained for that distance. For example, I know my long runs have been a bit short for the last three months, but I’ve run 15 half marathons this year. It won’t be an amazing race, but I know I can cover the distance. But I would never go out and run a marathon on the amount of running I’ve done. I’m crazy, but I’m not insane.
2. It’s all about your attitude. Run the race to have fun. Talk to other runners. Chat with the volunteers. High five every kid who wants one. You aren’t going to set a PR, so you might as well have fun on the course.
3. Start slow. Walk when you need to. Duh.
4. Know your race. Does it have a time limit? Are there enough people running or walking or spectating to keep you engaged for what could potentially be a long walk? Do you need to take your own water because the aid stations will run out or shut down? The beauty of the Mainly Marathon series is that it’s a combo of half marathoners and marathoners. I will never be by myself and I will be far from the last one out there.
5. Most importantly, listen to your body. Are you undertrained because of injury? Will this reinjure you? Did you have a good base before the injury? Or are you like me, and just suffer a slump in your training? If you decide to do this thing, really pay attention to how you feel on race day. Be prepared to take a DNS or a DNF if you need to. No race is worth risking your running future.
When was the last time you ran a race without the proper training? How’d that work out for you?
(This post is part of the Friday Five hosted by Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney. as well as Jill Conyer’s Friday Fitness link up. Go over and check out their awesome blogs!)
Good luck and be safe out there. Listen to your body!
Great post, and one I needed to read. Between Eli’s medical procedures and hospitalization this summer, the horrible Florida summer heat and humidity, work insanity and injuries, I’m very behind on my training for Wine & Dine. I’m up to 8 miles so far and am planning for 10 this weekend. I’ll probably get to 13 before the race but they will be very slow miles and I’ll definitely not be getting any PRs at the race. I think adjusting my expectations and goals is the biggest challenge for me!
Didn’t know you had a half this weekend. I think you will surprise yourself-don’t forget to have fun 🙂
Great advice – especially #5. Good luck and have fun this weekend!!
Thanks! It should be fun.
I love that photo, you all look like you’re having so much fun! Good luck and have fun this weekend. And thanks for the tips. I’ve just started running this year and have been too paranoid to try to run a race without all the training runs, but I’m sure this will come in handy in the future. Listen to your body is a great tip at any time because even if you’ve technically trained for a race, things are different day to day.
I even remember the off color joke we were laughing about…
Awesome post, I think everyone runs a race here and there that they really haven’t trained for properly…life just gets in the way sometimes. The last race that I was really undertrained for was the Diva’s Half Marathon in VA wine country (2013). Between all the hiccups with the race organization and my lack of training it wasn’t the best running experience but by listening to my body and adding in more walk breaks I was able to cross the finish line. Like you said, I wouldn’t condone it but you do what you gotta do sometimes! Have a great weekend!
THanks. And that Diva race was hard with the heat and the hills and the issues, even for people who were trained. Good job finishing it.
Haven’t we all. I ran a half marathon half trained so I walked half. Good luck this weekend. You are stronger than you think.
Thanks. I usually have trouble from mile 7-10 and then my body remembers how to run a half.
That is one of my biggest fears is entering a distance race and burning OUT before I end it. OH NELLY!! Your options are very good especially RUN when/if you have to!!!
Thanks – I’ll likely run as much as I can, which is probably the first 7 or so miles. We’ll see what happens after that.
Have fun!! 🙂
Thanks!
Admitting that you’re undertrained is the first step to a successful race. And then, following all of your guidelines, especially the one about taking it slow and walking when you need to. No need to risk injury!
Admitting that you have a problem… “Hi, I’m MCM Mama, and I don’t train for the races I sign up for…” (OK, that’s really just a summer/late summer problem I have. Note to self: spring races only.)
I have SO done this and you have the perfect attitude. 🙂 Just enjoy being outside!!
Looks like I’ll be getting poured on LOL, but I can still have fun.
Really great points! There is a BIG difference between injury and slumps! Pinned this one so I can look back on it!
Thanks! Yeah, I’m lucky it’s just a bad attitude that is my problem, rather than a physical issue.
I usually do several halfs a year, but suffered a stress fracture in my foot late January and finally just now it’s healed and I can start training again. I’m worried I may not be ready for my late January half I signed up for and if I don’t have enough time to train, but I imagine I can always walk.
Be careful. Don’t try to build your mileage too fast as that can lead to a new stress fracture. Good luck! Hope your training goes well.
Yup, walk when you need to and don’t go out too fast! Good tips. Have fun and enjoy your visit with your friends!
Thanks! It should be a fun day.
My longest run for marathon training was 18 miles and that was 3 weeks ago. I still have 2 weeks to go to race day and I don’t know if I’ll be running it, based on my bursitis. I’m doing PT in the mean time and keeping my cardio up, but it still feels like, if I’m cleared to run the marathon based on staying pain-free long enough before race day, that I’ll be undertrained since I’ve been tapering and healing for 5 weeks. I’m torn between going out there and walking the whole thing at a fast pace if I have to, just to do it, or skipping it and waiting to go out for my first marathon when I’ve had an injury-free training cycle. But nothing will ever be ideal right? I’ve never really been undertrained for a race, but this might be my first time, and I’m struggling with keeping my expectations low. So your post was very timely and relevant for me 🙂
Glad my post helped. I see nothing wrong with walking the marathon UNLESS it’s likely to reinjure you. If that’s the case, I’d totally wait.
I do believe in repeating “Yes, I can, yes, I can” – ad infinitum! Usu don’t end with a smiling face, though!
I plan to be smiling. Even if it’s only because I ate a cookie each time I passed the food table.
Good luck this weekend! I ran into the undertrained problem for my first half of the fall season last month. Just try to have fun out there and smile for the cameras. You are doing better than those who aren’t even out of bed yet 🙂
I know I’ll have fun. I always do with this group.
I too think that you have the right attitude heading into this. #5 is so important! Have fun this weekend!
Thanks! I’m just praying for minimal rain.
Following most of your suggestions racing untrained turned out fine. Even my first impromptu ultra 🙂
Not sure I’m ready for an impromptu ultra LOL.
I once ran a half marathon with absolutely NO TRAINING as in I didn’t run a single step in the entire year preceding the race. I finished in 2:20 and it was the most painful thing I’ve ever done.
Ouch. Yeah, I’m at least semi trained. Slow as all get out, but I can do the distance. Just hoping for under 2:30…
Good luck to you! Life happens and you don’t always have time to be prepared for every event. Just make it a long run and enjoy it instead of feeling competitive about it because I’m sure you will be just fine.
It may be a long walk, but I have lots of friends here, so it will be fun either way.
Have fun and listen to your body are the most important things – I think with any race!
My first half I was WAY undertrained. The longest run I had ever done was 6 miles, and in the month before the race I had been sick and the longest I had run was 3 miles. My only goal was to finish, so I was pretty ok with my slowness. I managed to not get injured either! 🙂
Thanks! I know at the very least, I’ll have fun.
definitely #1 – if you know your limits and are honest with yourself about it, that can get you through!
Good luck! I’m a beginner runner..glad I found your blog
Great tips. I’ve run a few races undertrained. It was the best of times and the worst of times. But I finished with a smile on my face!
Good luck out there! Great tips! I love trying to finish with a smile! and if you walk a bit, no one cares 🙂 Enjoy!
I have run MANY races under trained. Most recently my half marathon last weekend. When I do this… I throw all time goals out and make it a choice to just have fun! 🙂
sounds like you had a good race despite the weather and being undertrained — i was glad to see your fb post and can’t wait to hear more about it!
Hi Crazy! Pleased to make your acquaintance, my name is Insane!
1. … But I would never go out and run a marathon on the amount of running I’ve done. I’m crazy, but I’m not insane.
I’m pretty much about to do what you’ve clearly stated NOT to do! I don’t recommend it to anyone either, but this isn’t ANY Marathon! THIS IS BOSTON!
Rules 2, 3, 4, and 5 on your list is KEY for me! I am trying to keep everything in perspective and know I will not be able to run the kind of race that I ran to qualify for Boston in the first place! I want to stay grounded and simply enjoy the Boston experience! BUT I AM STUBBORN, so we shall see if I actually follow through! Should be an interesting race to say the least! Hopefully I make it out of there in one piece!