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Jacy T.
Jacy T. Sendmail

New runner looking for advice...

posted 9 months ago | Report

Hey everyone! I started a C25K about 7 weeks ago and have my first 5K scheduled in a couple of weeks. So far it has been going great and I really love it. I haven't had to skip any weeks and have progressively been able to go farther during each session.

I was scouting around the internet the other night and found a HM in my area that has a great reputation for being a well organized and awesome race. It has a gentle downhill slope that should be fairly kind to a newbie like myself and isn't scheduled until next June. The problem is that because it has such a great reputation it fills up very fast. I'm concerned about registering for something in September when I'm still so new to this as I don't want to fall victim to the "too much too soon" problem.

Am I too eager to get into racing or is this far enough out that I can train and safely work up to a good base for something like this?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

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15 posts

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  • Jill W.
    Jill W. Sendmail

    you definitely have enough time to train! keep building you base and start training about 3 months before the half. sign up :)

    posted 9 months ago

  • Laura H.
    Laura H. Sendmail

    You have plenty of time to get ready. I did C25K and trained for a half. Read up on the cancellation policy or bib transfers for your goal race, just so you know what your options are if you end up not being able to do it since it is so far in the future, you could have a scheduling conflict, etc. Go for it!! After your 5k, find a good beginner half marathon training program. I am a big fan of Jeff Galloway's plans. Very gentle progression and injury prevention.

    posted 9 months ago

  • James S.
    James S. Sendmail

    Jacy,

    Hello and congrats on making the steps. I had the safe fear for my first 1/2 and iam sure its not the same for everyone but I have discovered if you register and spend the money then it will push you to train harder. Its DEF not to soon there is plenty of time to train. I look forward hearing when you sign up for it and Good Luck and congrats

    posted 9 months ago

  • Paul
    Paul Sendmail

    If the HM isnt until June 2013 then you have plenty of time to build up to it. Check what the cancellation rules are (at worst you forfeit your start money) but you should go for it and sign up when it opens in September.

    As for training, follow your c25k through to its end... then perhapes consider following a 10k plan, especially if your worried about To Much Too Soon (TMTS) .. a plan is a great way of ensuring you do enough but not too much. It can also keep you motivated if you have troubles in hat area.

    As for too early to race, Once you can comfortably cover the race distance its never too early to race as long as you are aware that all performances are relative, If youve only been running for a couple of months you cannot possibly hope to compete against seasoned vets. But you can race yourself, or against your last performance. That is for me one of the greatest things about running the competition against yourself.

    I would suggest you find a local 5k perhapes a turkey trot, or similar 'fun' event for when youve finished the c25k ... and again a 10k for when you complete the 10k plan. You can also schedule a few more 5k's to show you just how much you have improved, and you deffinately will.

    Keep up the great work Jacy.

    posted 9 months ago

  • Jacy T.
    Jacy T. Sendmail

    Thanks for the responses! I was beginning to think that I was crazy for wanting to tackle it so soon, but it's really more about pushing myself to accomplish something than anything else. I'm certainly not out to create any land speed records, just enjoying the challenge and wanting to have a goal to push toward for now.

    I am doing the local Color Run in a couple of weeks just to get the whole "how does this race thing work" out of the way, then I have a timed 5K in October. After that I'll look into starting 10K training and maybe picking up one of those on the way to the HM in June. Thanks so much for all your advice! Any other pointers you have would be most helpful.

    Thanks!!

    posted 9 months ago

  • Dan M.
    Dan M. Sendmail

    Since it is a local race, if you are not ready you can always go the expo/packet pickup and get your bib and packet. If there are support races 5K, 8K, 10K you may be able to drop to a shorter event when the time comes too.

    I agree with the rest, you should have plenty of time to train and get ready. The above options are true if it is your 1st race or 100th, some times people forget that you may be able to swap events.

    posted 9 months ago

  • Ray E.
    Ray E. Sendmail

    Not knowing you personally, I would still say that you probably have enough time. I am also looking ahead to next year and have concerns: injury? will i be in good enough shape, etc.
    One question that I keep asking myself that encourages me to go ahead and sign up for various races is:
    Would I be OK walking this race?
    If the answer is Yes, then I know I can probably change my status from Running to Walking later with no penalty (if I really don't think I could run a single step of the race for whatever reason). Mostly likely, I know I could walk it... so, why not go ahead and sign up?? Especially for the early registration savings!
    Doesn't the Penguin say something like "the only difference in a runner and a jogger is a race bib"?
    Good luck!

    posted 9 months ago

  • Wendy
    Wendy Sendmail

    You have plenty of time to train for the half. I say register for it before it sells out and you are mad at yourself for not getting in. If, for some reason, you can't do it...say illness, injury, etc. most races will let you sell/transfer your bib number to someone else. Go for it! I started training in January for a half in late March if that helps!

    posted 9 months ago

  • Paul R.
    Paul R. Sendmail

    You have plenty of time to get ready. there are a number of very solid plans that would allow you to pick up from where you will be when you finish your 5K and just keep on trucking. Enjoy the ride.

    posted 9 months ago

  • Chris G.
    Chris G. Sendmail

    Well signing up for a race is definitely a big motivator to keep you on track. If you need additional motivation or tips, youtube search "Cicirunner."

    posted 9 months ago

  • Nicole Z.
    Nicole Z. Sendmail

    I ran for the first time in July 2011 and started with the c25k plan also. This coming October will be my first half marathon. You have plenty of time so, sign up for it!

    posted 9 months ago

  • Tony U.
    Tony U. Sendmail

    Definitely sign up for it. You have plenty of time build your endurance to handle a half marathon. Good luck!

    posted 9 months ago

  • James H.
    James H. Sendmail

    Absolutely, go for it...that is plenty of time. I was around 5K in January and did my first HM in mid-March - not a great time by any means but I met my goal and had a blast. Of course that snowballed into several other races, and I just signed up for my first full distance in December...so be warned!! Good luck!

    posted 9 months ago

  • GavinPRO
    Gavin Sendmail

    Hello
    next June is plenty time go for it, it will keep you motivated and give you something to work towards over the winter months, along the way you will enter other events 5kms, 10kms as part of your preparation.
    FR sent - I want to read how you get on

    posted 8 months ago

  • Dragonflyte
    Dragonflyte Sendmail
    in reply to what Laura H. said:You have plenty of time to get ready. I did C25K and trained for a half. Read up on the cancellation policy or bib transfers for your goal race, just so you know what your options are if you end up not being able to do it since it is so far in th... read more

    Thanks for the reference of Jeff Galloway - I'm just browsing his site and training programs right now, how helpful...

    posted 8 months ago

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