Posted by Remember back in January when I picked out a training plan for my upcoming half marathon? Then the universe said LOL and the next few months did not go according to ANY plan, training or otherwise.
January brought 22 days of travel for work and volunteer obligations, a sinus infection, and bed bugs.
February brought more travel and sub-zero temperatures. Without regular access to a treadmill, I was stuck inside.
In March came 18 days of travel, another sinus infection, and a kidney infection that turned to be e.coli (!!). I actually put a lot of miles in, but most were walking while traveling (I averaged 5-8 miles per day while in New Orleans).
In summary, I haven’t had a single week where I got all the runs on my training plan in. Oops. With that said, most weeks haven’t been a total fail and I know I can finish 13.1 miles – it’s just a matter of being able to finish in the time I want.
April finally brings warmer temperatures, and with it, the HIGH levels of pollen everywhere. April is also the month that some big miles need to happen, come hell or high water. If I can get a few good long runs in, I’ll feel much better about May 3. Right now, I’m not sure I’ll realistically be able to make my goal 🙁 Right now the plan is to stick with Coach Jeff and Chelsea for the first 12 miles or so and make them keep me on track.
Soooooooo if we could actually have some decent weather and I could not get sick or have my allergies make my head explode, that would be stellar. KTHXBAI.
What are your best tips and tricks for salvaging a disaster of a training plan? Comment below!
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Congrats on hitting your goal!! Try not to think so hard about a time goal. This is your first half, enjoy it! You only have one chance to do something for the first time!
For the first half marathon that I did, I followed a training plan but had a really bad injury about halfway through and just gave up on it. I had pretty much written off the idea of actually running the race in my mind until about 3 weeks out when I was like "you know what, I'm just gonna DO IT!" The longest run I did beforehand was about 9 miles and I had no problems running the whole half. I'm so glad I did and I loved the experience! 🙂
I usually have a some A,B and C goals that I can be happy with at the end of the race if things don't go as planned. Don't get discouraged. You'll need more mental strength come race day. You cannot go back and you can't make up miles now, just do what you can realistically from here on out. What you do training wise this week will show come race day. Hope this helps!
I know I'm already guaranteed a PR, and having never run this distance, I haven't set my goal anything faster than what I've already achieved in the past (in terms of pace for shorter distance races I've done). I know I can go sub-2.5, and I'll be disappointed if I don't hit that, but I'm also acknowledging that some things may be out of my control (if it's super hot/humid that day, I'll need to walk and drink more, and that may slow me down, etc.).
Thanks, Kathy! My longest distance race to date is a 15k, so I know I can get the 13.1 miles in! Just trying to make the most of these last few weeks and do the best I can!
Thanks! This is very helpful! I'm focusing on having a few great weeks of training and trying my best out there on 5/3!
Congrats on hitting your goal!!! Don't worry about the time, things happen that we can't control. Just go out and enjoy the run.
Thanks! This is definitely true. There's nothing I can do now – I'm just feeling frustrated. At the end of the day, I'm still guaranteed a PR so regardless, whatever my time is, it will give me a new goal to beat at my next half!
Honestly, just enjoy it! Pittsburgh 1/2 is an awesome, if challenging, course. The spectator energy will be there to help you along. When I did my first half I'd only trained for around 8 weeks and my longest run was probably a 15k. My only goal was to finish, I didn't focus on the time, that came later. At some point you're just going to think "okay, just one foot in front of the other, just keep going". You got this, I know it!