Racing a 5K two weeks before half marathon - bad idea?

[boston340]

There is a local 5K that I'm interested in running in May; it is 2 weeks before the half marathon that I'm already registered for.  

My two big goals for 2014 are:

1. Run two half marathons (aiming for under 2 hours)

2. Break 22:30 for 5K (this is a stretch goal, by best is 23:15 right now)

Is it okay for me to race a 5K just two weeks before my half marathon in June?  

[Deleted]

I think that's fine. Given how short the distance is, it doesn't take long to recover from an all-out 5k.

I'm not sure how to best organize your long runs around that, though.

[boston340]

You're right, I'll need a details plan for the long runs around the 5K. I doubt I'll make my PR goal in that race, but I will be training hard between now and then for both races!

[andrealynn]

I would run a 5k, but I wouldn't race one, if that makes sense.

[gt7301b]

Opps, I had it backwards.  You'll be fine.  I raced a 10k the week before a half and set a PR in both.

P.S. if you are running 5Ks in 23:15, I think a sub 1:50 half is a realistic goal.

[pag41989]

I would but I was also running 3-4 miles as my short runs during the couple weeks before my half which is equivalent to a 5K anyways. I am not sure I would push myself too much with a PR though.. of course I was super paranoid about injury.

[Deleted]

Last year I PRd a 5k on week, and then raced a 10k one week later (the 10k wasn't a lifetime PR, but it was my fastest time in 3 years). Doing the 10k, I felt no worse for wear having done the 5k the week before. 

If anything, it helped because I knew what speed I could push myself to. 

I think a similar effect could be felt in the HM. Your slower HM pace should feel comfortable in the race having done an all-out 5k two weeks earlier.