Hi there. Remember me? OK, so it’s only been 5 days, but whatever.
I’m grumpy lately, which means I don’t feel like writing. Who wants to read my woe is me crap anyway? I’d rather write about good stuff, but it seems few and far between lately. I’m hoping that’s coming around soon.
Let’s try a few things…
The chiropractor is going great. I really look forward to my weekly visits there. I still have a lot of work to do, but I at least can pass the FMS test now for my legs. My arms are another story entirely.
I just had my yearly review at work and it was glowing. Seriously. I got an overall mark of “exceeds expectations” which is as high as our department is allowed to give.
We had a gorgeous weekend this past weekend, weather-wise. Although it was a tease, it just reminds me that spring is around the corner (hopefully – I’m frackin’ freezin’ right now!!).
There. Those are some positives off the top of my head.
Anyway, on to my question for all you runners out there in blog world…
I have a race on my schedule I really want to do (Newport 10 Miler). I’ve never run more than 5 miles, and this was last Labor Day weekend right before my injured IT band. I’m taking a much slower approach coming back from that injury and, on the calendar, I will only be up to running 5 miles again by the time this race comes around in late April.
What would you do? I’m doing a run/walk approach right now so I figured if I can’t run the whole thing (not happening), then I’d be mixing in those walks anyway. I honestly don’t know how big of a leap it is. I don’t know if there is a time limit either, so obviously that concerns me (I should probably check that out now that I think of it).
I’d love some honest feedback. I’m thinking I probably can’t do it and will have to wait until next year, but wanted some opinions from you folks that run ridiculous things like marathons. HAHA
Don't blink. Just run. 
I think that is totally doable for you. Even with the walk/run ratio, most races have a 14-16 minute average you have to pace. As long as you are logging a solid 5 miles without too many walk breaks, I think you’ll be fine time wise. As always, take your training one week at a time. If you don’t feel confident a week out, see about trying to transfer the bib.
Oh that’s good to know! I didn’t realize that.
Congrats on your review! I just had mine too, same result :).
I think you will be ok as long as you go into planning to run not race. A lot of marathon programs only go to 20 miles and that 6 is run on will power and heart. So they say I’ve never done one :). But for my halves my longest run in training is usually 10. Just be sure to take plenty of walk breaks 🙂
Well congrats to you too! 🙂
I’m not a good source for training advice, but do think the important thing is to keep it fun and low-pressure. Staying engaged and keeping going for the long haul is way more important than any one particular race, so whatever helps you keep moving forward as best you can without hurting yourself, I’d go for that!
Oh yeah, I’d really be running it to enjoy myself. I don’t really “race” races.
Why not show up with the plan to run/walk it (or at least the first five miles), and then see how it goes. If you feel good and time permits, walk the last half; or walk with occasional little running segments. If anything starts to hurt, drop out. Most importantly, have fun! 🙂
That sounds like a good plan!
I think you’ll be ok. Is it the type of race to fill up early? You could always see hoe you are the week before and make your decision last minute (although that typically costs more)
Congrats on the glowing review, outstanding!!:)
I’m not really sure. I was thinking I’d check out what the transfer/cancellation rules were.
And thanks!! 🙂
That’s a great idea-sometimes it is worth it to buy the cancellation insurance!
I don’t have any advice for you – I am a 5k gal! But I think the walk/run option would work!
Thanks – that’s all I’ve been up until now!
Hmmmmmm…. check time limit for sure.
If you feel comfortable running your normal mileage and then carefully walking the rest and have already paid for it I say why not.
If you have not registered yet I wouldn’t.
I haven’t registered yet. I was thinking I might make it a last minute call.
I don’t have a lot of advice; I’m a new-ish runner myself. My inclination would be to take it easy with training but try to go for it anyway – as others have said, you can always walk/run and still enjoy the fun atmosphere of race day, especially if you’ve already paid. At least you get a T shirt, right? As long as you don’t injure yourself more trying to “be ready” for it, you should be fine.
Congrats on the positives, like at work! 🙂
Haha, I do love my swag!
And thanks! It was definitely a nice review. 🙂
First of all, I didn’t realize that I wasn’t following your blog! For shame Tanya, for shame.
I say do the Newport 10! 5 miles is a good base, and you can always run/walk the final 5. Plus, you’ll have race day adrenaline on your side. Plus plus, you sound like you know that you need to take it slowly, so it’s not like your racing toward a PR.
From an ultrarunner’s perspective, if you slow down enough, you can accomplish any distance. You never run a full 50 or 100 before the actual race, so it’s ok that you’ve never run 10 miles before. It may not be the most comfortable or easy run you’ve done, but you can do it!
LOL, that’s OK. There are plenty of people I follow who don’t follow back. I never hold it against them. Thanks for following now though 🙂
Thanks for the vote of confidence!
I think you should run it only because I really want to run it but I can’t because I won’t be home for it… so basically you will run it in my place. I think you can for sure run the entire 10 miles. The longest run I did before my first half was only 9 miles but somehow I pushed through the last 4.1, so as long as you are able to get your training runs up to 6-7 miles, you’ll be totally fine. Just heal up those legs fast! I know that’s way easier said than done given that I’m going on two months without running…
LOL, OK – I’ll be a surrogate for you.
My two cents: take it easy. I was down for about a year with an IT Band issue, then got back into running (very slowly) and ended up with runner’s knee. With my history of running injuries it taught me that run/walk methods are just fine. I need to put less pressure on myself, not feel competitive and not pushing myself sooner/faster/harder than I am ready for. Take it easy!