Longest run before a half marathon?

[Bananaandmarmite]

So, I’m doing a Half in 3 weeks. I did 11 miles last week but it was horribly hot and I did a run/walk. Today I ran 10 without stopping and felt strong.

I was planning on 12 next week then begin a taper. Do I need to do a 13?

I’m also worried that I’m even going to have time to get the 12 in….

I usually do 12 miles two weeks before & then taper for the last week.

Having said that, I only do a 12 to reassure myself psychologically... if you have run 10 miles already and felt strong, you'll be absolutely fine!

10 will get you round. Going further than 10 is a boost if you're comfortable and it fits before a 2 week taper.

At this point, the taper is the biggest difference you'll make for race day.

Sometimes I'll do an HM on a max of 10. Sometimes it suits me to go further. I'm planning more than 10 for my next HM as it will be trail and hilly so I want that extra time on feet as I'll possibly be out an hour longer than my faster road HMs and I want that stamina in my tank. I've gone further this year on a marathon, so althougb it's been a while, mentally that's an easier target than previously.

I always did 10 miles

Worked well for me, was just a parkrun to do on top then!

10 miles should be fine. Or slightly less - 15km. I like round numbers.

Any further in this kind of weather will be tough going.

Good luck for your HM!

My longest was 10. I did it twice around a month before then did some 6s and 5s up to the day

You'll be fine on that!

Race day sense of occasion will lift you through that last bit (and I'd say the actual Half will be easier and much more fun than a 12 mile training run)

I do know that doing a run right out to the actual distance is somehow psychologically helpful ("I've done it, so I can do it again!") but in terms of bodily performance you really don't need to.

Have fun on the day!!

I'm assuming by then that the heat will have vanished - people doing Half/Marathon this weekend and last have had quite a hard time. As you can run 10 miles in good style in this, you'll be able to cruise round the actual event (trust me - my 13.1 PB is from an early Oct Half where I'd been training in heat and then found that same effort on a cooler day meant a much faster time)

This block I've done 11 as my longest (plus 2x10s) but often I'll only do 9 or 10 as my longest. I'd always rather be undertrained than overcooked or injured!

Is it the Royal Parks one? I’m doing that one in 3 weeks time. I did 11 miles today, and am planning to do the same next Friday, and then that’s it for the long runs for me.

Best of luck with it!

If you can do 10 miles, you can do 13.

Don't worry about getting the 13 in if you don't have time.

That being said, I did do 13 before I did my first half but with the benefit of hindsight it wasn't really required.

Thank you all.

it’s the Cardiff Half. 1st October.

im going to attempt 11 tomorrow (time permitting as my daughter is coming and she has to work). Then I’ll begin a taper until the big day.

I don’t know if I’m excited or scared..

You'll be fine on what you've done so far. But if you managed your 11 today then that's a bonus.

Cardiff Half was one of my favourite races ever. You'll have a great time!

Good luck @Bananaandmarmite and I was wondering the answer to the question!
I have a half in 3 weeks and the furthest I've run is 10 miles and probably will do another 10 miles for a long run and am hoping that's ok!

Thank you all.

I did 12 today. Really pleased 😃. And now the taper begins. Not sure what I have to do in the next two weeks (advice appreciated) as the last time I ran a Half (30years ago), tapering wasn’t a thing!

im thinking short runs, good food, sleep 😴

I never did more than 10 in training.

Ooh good luck! Im doing the royal parks a week after you ! And was wondering the same thing this week!!

Bring the milage down about a third this week, and half next week with extra rest days just before. A short, gentle "shake out run" the day before gets everything firing, but not enough to tire you. My first plan had a mile that day. These days I'm fine with a gentle parkrun.

Nutrition shouldn't need anything special. The reduced milage will naturally replenish you. Avoid any aggravating foods/ alcohol 24-48 hours before. Drink well the day before.

That’s fab advice. Thank you

I have done two half marathons and for both my longest training run was 10 miles. I knew if I could do 10, I could do the rest.