Help me plan my races, please!

[mrsjthompson]

Subtitle:  How much racing is too much?

So, when last we left my saga, I was in a boot (and I can't thank you ladies enough for your support and good thoughts getting me through that!! (heart) (heart)).  I'm now in the middle of Couch to 5 K and it is going super great.  My plan is to finish this program, then 2-3 weeks after start a bridge to 10K run/walk program to get my base up, but not actually run a race at the end of it, then keep my base mileage around 12 miles/week.  So far I have planned:

5/10: Local 5K - my first race back, end of C25K, just looking to get my feet back under me.

11/1: local 10K as a training run.  Maybe.

11/29: Space Coast Half  - Right now just looking to get back to the half distance and do my best through mile 8 and walk the rest if things go bad.  Depends on how my foot handles the increase in mileage.

1/17: Quarter Marathon - using this for better corral placement for upcoming Disney races.  So I would want to push my pace in this one.

5/10 - Tinkerbell half - Not racing, but need to keep a decent pace to be able to stop for pictures.

11/?? - Wine & Dine half - same as above.

So, could I sneak a half in on 2/22?  It would pretty much mean being on a training program from September through May. I'm convinced overtraining lead to my injury last year, so I'm kinda leery of doing it.  Would I have to start a 12-week training plan each time from the beginning, or could I maintain a higher mileage and cut back training to 8-10 weeks?  My big goal for next year is Coast to Coast with Disney, and being able to relax in those races and have a good time instead of worrying about being swept. 

Things to keep in mind: 1.  I am old and slow.  2.  I want to do my best, but I'm not speedy and not trying to race race or place in my age group or anything.  3.  I have done exactly 1 HM and I broke my foot doing that.  Thanks for the H&F wisdom!

[G22]

I tend run about 1 race a month April-October. I like having something to work toward so that why I do it that way. I think your schedule sounds doable to me. I think knowing that over-training probably played into your injury last year, I would just be very aware about how hard your pushing yourself.

I'm like you, where I'm not speedy and not winning any awards. But I like to push myself and see where I can better myself. Here's my plan for the next 6 months:

4/27 - 5 miler
5/10 - half
6/14 - marathon
(another 10k and/or half somewhere in between here probably)
9/20 - marathon

[Wines Not Whines]

If you think overtraining caused your injury, I'd think hard about this. Running a half in late November, February, and early May means you'd basically be in half-marathon training mode for 8 months (September-May). You could back of for a few weeks in December, but then you'd have to ramp back up pretty quickly, especially if you're set on doing that other race on 1/17. Then you'd have to keep going through the February half and through another half about 6 weeks later. That's a lot IMO, if you've only done one half before.

Part of this is colored from my own personal experience last winter, because I kept signing up for races to keep me motivated and in training mode, but I think it was too much for me, and I ended up injured. Sometimes breaks are good.

I'm not saying you shouldn't do it. I'm just saying you should think about it, and if you do sign up for all of these races, listen to your body and tell yourself it's ok to skip a race if you're not feeling it.

[mrsjthompson]

@g22 - 2 marathons! That's awesome!

@winesnotwines - that's exactly what I'm worried about. That, and getting burned out on training. It's hard to focus when you're only running 5 miles a week, ykwim?

[gt7301b]

I'm not going to lie, I'd do the half, no doubt about it. If I were in your shoes (or boot   ) I would probably wait and see how things go with the training. If you are feeling good squeeze that extra half in there, if not step back for a couple weeks and focus on cross training rather than running.

[mrsjthompson]

Gah! I don't know!!! Good thing I have months and months to obsess over it, right?

[G22]

Apr 21, 2014 14:43:23 GMT -5 mrsjthompson said:

@g22 - 2 marathons! That's awesome!

@winesnotwinesthy are hat's exactly what I'm worried about. That, and getting burned out on training. It's hard to focus when you're only running 5 miles a week, ykwim?

This is my first attempt at 2 in one year. Well see how it goes I reallllllly wanted to do both and they are just far enough apart for me to try this!