[wa5yom]

My daughter is scheduled to run her first Half marathon at Houston in a few weeks (while I run the marathon)..<br><br>
Her goal is to run the NYC marathon ...Nov. 2008...<br><br>
She just started running this past march...<br><br>
The problem is...I believe she is not ready...<br><br>
Her work schedule has kept her very busy so she has maxed out at a 6 mile run...along with an ankle injury...the injury caused her to not train for 3 weeks resulting is a very difficult 5k during Thanksgiving (she had to walk about a third of it)<br><br>
It would be a very sensitive issue for me to recommend that she skip the race....<br><br>
She said...I can walk part of it....but she is convinced that she can do it...and must do it...<br><br>
So...before I offer her some coaching advice (for anyone else I would recommend that they re-group and train for a spring half)...I am looking for any advice as to how she might be able to finish this race...is there any reasonable walk/run strategy?<br><br>
I am really at a loss here...so some help is really appreciated.<br><br><img alt="roll_eyes.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/roll_eyes.gif"> Tim,<br>
Ardmore, OK.

 

[Coastwalker]

Hi Tim,<br><br>
If your daughter is having trouble finishing a 5K, and has run no longer than 6 miles, completing a half marathon is going to be a challenge unless she understands that she will most likely be walking much more of it than she will be running.<br><br>
What is the status of her ankle injury? If it has not healed completely, she is only risking making it worse by taking on a half marathon, especially one for which she has not adequately trained.<br><br>
Do you know why it is so important to her to do this half marathon? Understanding that should help you know how to approach the topic of whether or not she should attempt it. I absolutely agree that she will be much, much better off if she changes her focus to another half marathon sometime in February or March. Running a half then rather than now will not do anything to reduce her ability to run New York, if that remains in her plans.<br><br>
Good luck!<br><br>
Jay

 

[dromedary]

hi Tim,<br><br>
I agree with Coastwalker on all his very excellent and wise points. Having been in a similar situation as your daughter (ankle injury and an upcoming half marathon), I ended up canceling that race and scheduling a later one. It was a difficult decision, but luckily I had a lot of wise people (a great PT) guiding me through a tough time. It's hard to accept that your body isn't ready for something when your mind is eager. Looking back, I was glad I took my PT's advice because I did really well in Dallas.<br><br>
Coastwalker is especially right about finding out what is your daughter's true motivation for having to do this particular half marathon. Maybe that will help.<br><br>
I also looked in all my books regarding Galloway Method (walk/run). Since your daughter's longest workout was 6 miles, I looked at his schedule, but unfortunately that still leaves 8-10 weeks in the training program for a half marathon. But please bear in mind, the Galloway Method is really not intended for the injured. It's more a way for a healthy, uninjured person to ease back into running or to prevent injuries.<br><br>
Still, you might want to read what's in the Galloway site (training schedule, info on walk/run intervals, etc.)<br><br><a href="http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/half_marathon.html" target="_blank">http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/half_marathon.html</a><br><br>
She should definitely walk more than she runs. An ankle brace might help. This is the one I used for a few weeks (it's a lace up with side supports):<br><br><a href="http://www.mcdavidusa.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=2&DEPARTMENT_ID=" target="_blank">http://www.mcdavidusa.com/store/item...DEPARTMENT_ID=</a><br><br>
I got that one because a Ultra runner friend reccommended it. It's ok for walking and jogging, but it does mess up your running gait long term, so it's definitely something that's temporary.<br><br>
You're in a tough spot...I can understand how it would be easier to give running/coaching advice to someone you're not related to. But you also don't want to hurt and injure the ones you love.<br><br>
Best wishes--hope she (and YOU) will be ok.<br>
dromedary

 

[Pie Jones]

Tim...I agree that all you can do in that situation is try and get her to run conservatively so she doesn't get injured or have a miserable day. I've never practiced any of the Galloway run/walk at timed interval stuff, but I paced a slower group in a marathon last year (some in the group just doing the half), and used the idea of walking briefly just after each water stop. Grab the water, run til you are out of the way so as not to impede any runners behind you, then walk and enjoy the fluids. That seemed to work pretty well since many new runners don't drink well on the run anyway. The combination of a short walk and refreshments seemed to do the trick each time. I think it's just best to strategically walk before you physically have to walk, which means starting that strategy from the very beginning of the race.<br><br>
Since there is probably not any reason for her to taper, you have three weeks to try some long run strategies. Maybe start with 30-60 seconds of walking at the end of each mile this weekend, and see how that goes. Then she would have 2 more weekends to experiment and walk more or less as needed. She could aim for 7-8 miles this weekend, 8-9 miles next weekend, and maybe even 9-10 the week before the event. If she feels too taxed, she could skip that last long one, but with the walking breaks, they might all go well.<br><br>
One other suggestion....Don't let her try to run more weekly miles than normal.....just do a regular week and focus on getting the long runs in because they are key. If she gets to 9 miles or so in training, she should be fine to finish the event in a time/condition that will make her happy.<br><br>
Good luck with her race........and yours.

 

[TheProFromDover]

Tim,<br><br>
What has her mileage been since the 5k?<br>
What is her planned mileage for the next three weeks?<br>
How was the ankle during the 6 mile LR, and what was her pace?<br><br>
CRaig

 

[wa5yom]

Thanks for the ideas everyone...I will drop her a note and ask some more questions.....then report back...<br><br>
Tim,<br>
Ardmore, OK...

 

[wa5yom]

Well....we had a discussion...looks like she will skip the race...which is a big relief...I was concerned that she would risk injury...so looks like she may try to get ready for the OKC Memorial Half Marathon....if she does this one ...I can run it with her...it is a couple weeks after Boston....which is perfect for me...<br><br>
Thanks for your help....your support was very valuable...<br><br>
Tim,<br>
Ardmore, OK.

 

[evryday]

I remember, not that long ago, my quest to "become" a runner. No amount of input from others could convince me slow down, rest, strengthen, train properly etc. In my mind you just went out and did it, gutted it out, prepared or not.<br><br>
It wasn't until I realized you don't "become" a runner, you just <b>are</b> one. And your either a well prepared runner or not. And being a not so well prepared runner is not a bad thing, it just presents a wonderful opportunity to become well prepared.<br><br>
Sounds like your daughter has made a pretty wise decision to try for a spring half. She's smart to take your advice. It's making these sacrifices that strengthen our character. In my younger days, I would have been too stubborn and foolish to make the better choice. (actually I'm still to stubborn and foolish!)<br><br>
I plan the OKC marathon to be my first M....maybe I'll see you and daughter there (Look for me...I'll be the guy looking stubborn and foolish!). Good luck at Houston.

 

[tomwhite]

..tim//......no advise to give,,,,,,just wanted to wish her Good Luck/////

 

[dromedary]

hi Tim, I'm glad you and your daughter talked about it and decided to postpone. You probably want her first half to be a special memorable event in a good happy way <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
Merry Christmas to you and your family,<br>
dromedary

 

[wa5yom]

Absolutely.....I would hate for her to be miserable as she was during the 5K before Thanksgiving....<br><br>
OKC is a week after Boston...it will be hard for me to run the Half.....but if I can,,,then I will run it with her...I will have to play it by ear...<br><br><b>evryday...</b>hope to see you in OKC...they have a great Marathon....and the beginning is definitely special.<br><br>
Tim,<br>
Ardmore, OK.