GNR in 4 weeks. I can do 5k Help!!

[Redtartanshoes]

That’s it basically.

I signed up. I’ve done nothing. I could do 5k in under 30 mins before Xmas but have done little running since then.. although a couple of pump type classes a week.

I really want to do it. Am I mad? Any advice?

[1Potato2]

Hi. Runner here.

Honestly? I'd look into deferring (although the race pack arrived today so maybe it's too late). It's a half marathon; you have to respect the distance. You haven't trained for it and if you try and run it, you won't enjoy it. You could run/ walk it I guess?

I'm sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear. Defer or walk it. Please don't risk injury.

[MeanTangerine]

^ agree.

What is the longest distance you have run in the past and when was it?

[Redtartanshoes]

Longest 10k a year ago

[TittyGolightly]

Not just the distance. The topography is brutal.

[goldface]

I did it a couple of years ago and it's not to be underestimated; either the distance or the route. It needs training. I'd defer x

[CanYouHearThePeopleSing]

What everyone else said. I've run a few marathons, and tend to run 1000 miles a year, but for various reasons haven't been able to run much since may, and I've had to defer a HM place for the end of Sept. I can run 5k now, but there's no way I could run a HM in a few weeks. It would be madness to try. I've been cycling a few hrs a week to keep my fitness up but I still wouldn't bve able to run more than 10k sensibly.

[MeanTangerine]

Hmmm.

Many people sign up every year and don't train for it. Some of them finish it, some of them don't. A lot of them walk it. If you want to go and be part of the day then go, but take it very easy and prepare to be sore the next day!

It's difficult to advise you on how to train, because there is so little time left. Sudden increases in training lead to injury. I think you'd be best off doing a few "jog 50 walk 50" type runs (maybe 30mins?) around your gym classes. But that would be more to check that your running gear doesn't chafe/blister. Don't overdo it. Better to walk the GNR than tear your Achilles.

[TittyGolightly]

My husband did 6 months of training - including running up mountains - before doing it for the first time. I genuinely thought he was dying when I met him at the finish line.

[AuntieStella]

There will be a lot of walkers, because it's a big event and there are many underprepared people doing it for charity.

If you don't care about your time, and they are closing the course after the time you think you could walk it, then go for it. But do not attempt to do more than run/walk intervals, and don't do too much too fast at the start (awfully tempting to do exactly that, because it's too easy to be buoyed up by the event. Resist!) Pick an interval you think you can keep up - maybe jog 10mins, walk 2? - and stick to it

What's the latest they keep the finish open?

[SassitudeandSparkle]

There is a killer hill in the GNR (IMO - I hate long drags up hills and that extremely short steep drop isn't good on the knees either!) so I would think about skipping it or walking. If you've never run close to a half-marathon distance though I doubt you'd enjoy it as much as you would with more training - it's a lovely atmosphere.

[Redtartanshoes]

Got my bloody race pack this morning

I really really want to do it. I’m from NE originally, and I’ve wanted to run it for 30 years. I’m thinking I’m gonna get out and run tonight. And Sunday. And every other day until then. I’ve a hotel booked l, worse case I don’t do it but at least in 4 weeks I’ll be closer to running it then I am now.

Run walk is w very good idea. Will need to find out what time they close the course.

If I am gonna do it should I just concentrate on running for next 4 weeks rather than any other exercise other than a swim to relax?

[dangermouseisace]

The trouble is, you are not meant to increase your total distance each week by more than 10%. So if you’re going from a few miles each week to 20 in a week then you are likely to end up injuring yourself. I think that mixing up your training would be better as you’d be able to increase your fitness without injuring yourself from high impact exercise. Triathletes do less running but seem to get on well in races, so obviously swimming/cycling are good. TBH I’d make the intervals on race day shorter-run 3 mins walk 2 as 13.1 miles is a long way, and with long intervals you are likely to burn out too soon. I have a friend who did a 10k this way due to injury, and got a pretty good time! If you are going to try and do it, make your longest run at least 10 days before race day.

In fairness, in your situation I’d be looking to defer. I’m doing a half at the end of the month, but didn’t even apply until I was running at least 3 times a week and doing around 20 miles per week.

[PattiStanger]

Sounds too much of an ask to me.

Can you defer and let someone who has done the training run this year. Do they keep waiting lists in case of drop outs? Seems a shame to waste the place

[SassitudeandSparkle]

If you defer, you might get a guaranteed place for next year, worth checking.

[Sammysquiz]

Don’t do it. I appreciate you really want to, but your body needs to get gradually used to pounding long distances, and you are very likely to end up injured.

I did similar for the NY marathon 20 years ago and the knee injury I incurred still bothers me now.

[GettingAwayWithIt]

If you’ve only ever run 10K as the furthest I’d defer, you will be covering 21K in four weeks time. I know you said you really wanted to do it but I’d strongly recommend you defer to next year and actually plan to do a few runs over next spring and summer instead of going to classes.

It’s a long way to walk if you’re not used to the time on your feet and it’s not really an achievement for a relatively fit person to walk a half marathon.

[SavannahSky]

It's only 13 Miles! Maybe look up the Galloway method

Run the first 10k ( you will manage more on the day,Adrenalin and crowd pull you along) aim to get to 8 Miles then run/walk

[SavannahSky]

Oh just seen you've not trained up to 10k.... maybe not then

I'm in similiar position. Training not gone to plan because of the heat!

[Desmondo2016]

I think you can do it. I've done similar in the past. Don't overtrain or worry too much about pace. Put in a couple slow 8-10ks this weeks then 10-12 for a couple weeks and then do a slow 16k (10 miler) by a week before. Do one 5-7k about 5 days before and then just go with a sensitive pace and a pma on the day. I wouldn't be looking at a pace under 6m30 a kilometre in your situation though. Maybe for you the challenge is entering and finishing it, place/time doesn't need to matter.

[MeanTangerine]

Don't worry about them closing the course. I have a mate with severe asthma who walked it for charity a few years back. Took her 4 hours, but it was still open when she got there

You might want to think about where you stay the race from though - it may suit you to move back further from the start line than you've been allocated, wherever that is. That way you won't have everyone running past you the whole time.

[MeanTangerine]

*start

[thenightsky]

How old are you? I could have probably walked/jogged a half marathon in my 20s. Now I'm in my 50s there's no way I'd not knacker at least one major joint or muscle.

[Redtartanshoes]

I’m 35 so kinda middle of the road.

In a plot twist my bloody big toe tail has come off

[MeanTangerine]

Why? What happened to it?

[BikeRunSki]

Did your toe nail come off running? Bhiw far did you run? You said it ran 5K before Christmas. What can you do now?