How bad is this going to hurt?

[savan]

Back in the summer, I was on a runner's high.  I had just PR'd in the half marathon and was well into training for another in October.  I got this awesome idea that I'd run the Tinkerbell half and signed up.  Fast forward many months, another half marathon later, and that runner's high was long gone.  I was tired of the constant training and did not want to run over the holidays.  So I didn't.  We decided that DH would use my bib to run Tinkerbell and I never thought of it again.

Then last week DH stepped on a toy and injured his foot.  After a week of pain and limping he saw the doctor and got orders to wear supportive footwear and not run.  Ugh.   We have a hotel booked, 3 day park hopper tickets, and a Tinkerbell bib just for me next weekend.  

So, how bad is it going to hurt me to run the half?  I plan on running 3 miles tomorrow and attempting 8 miles on Sunday.  It's like riding a bike, right?  I'm not looking to race it or even come close to PRing.  3 hours should be achievable with a 2:30 half PR.  Right?

[pamela]

I ran 10 miles 7 weeks ago, then had to take a break. Just started back and can't do three straight. It's going to hurt, but you might survive since you were further along before and I don't think you took off quite as long as I did.

[savan]

Jan 9, 2014 22:53:46 GMT -5 pamela said:

I ran 10 miles 7 weeks ago, then had to take a break. Just started back and can't do three straight. It's going to hurt, but you might survive since you were further along before and I don't think you took off quite as long as I did.

Ugh.  That's what I'm afraid of.  And when I said I didn't want to run over the holidays I was including Thanksgiving  :?.  I'm just hoping that the 2 years of non stop half marathon training will count for something.

[arterr0]

You'll be fine. Just take it easy and plan to run/walk. I've survived several HM with slacker training. My PR is a little faster than yours (2:10), and I have done a 2:45 with no runs over 8. 3-ish should be an attainable goal.

[hannahb]

It's gonna hurt but then again doesn't running a half normally hurt?

[clseale]

You'll be fine. They always hurt, your race will just hurt more at a slower pace. You don 't seem to have any delusions about this. Take it slow & steady , and try to enjoy the race atmosphere.

[Susie]

If you're good with a run/walk, it'll hurt but be a do-able hurt.

I'm not sure I'd analogize it to riding a bike though, unless we're talking about how your ass feels after your first ride in a month or so. I took a month off from running after a half on 11/17, and by a month later, 3 miles was an ugly scene.

[taratru]

I've run a grand total of 13 miles since November 9. I'm running Tink half and 10k. I don't know how it will hurt, but I'm planning on taking it easy and having fun.

Good luck!

[savan]

So I feel much more confident today. I ran 8 miles this morning and it went pretty well. I allowed myself one half mile walk break to give my joints a rest from the pounding and still finished in 1:41. That means even if I have to walk the remaining 5.1 miles in the race, I won't be swept from the course.