Earlier in the week I noted that I had signed up for the Knoxville half marathon. I’m almost half way through my accelerated training program, so how are things going?
I’ve done two 11 mile runs this week. Yes, I’ve felt my muscles the entire week (especially after the first run) and my pace was quite slow (9 minutes/mile). But at least I’m pretty confident I should be able to chug through the event without collapsing on Cherokee Boulevard.
Now my primary concern is not the distance but the start time. Who set this up at 7 am? Not only will it likely be freezing cold, but more importantly it creates a dilemma with my eating schedule. I could wing a 5 mile run without eating in advance, but I don’t think that’s a good idea here. And generally I need to wait three or four hours after a meal to do serious exercise, or I don’t feel so good.
So what does this mean? Do I need to get up at 3:30 am for breakfast? Doesn’t sound like a good idea to me.
Usually they run these things that early so that people can finish before it gets too hot. Layer up a bit when you run, so that you can take stuff off as you get hotter and the weather gets hotter.
I would suggest carbo-loading in the evening, with a lighter breakfast to help get you moving in the morning. Something like bananas, yogurt, etc. that will digest quickly. Over the next week, you ought to also try to get to bed a little earlier each day and get up a little earlier each day so that getting up early on race day isn’t such a shock.
Thanks, Manish. Sounds like you’ve done this before. I obviously haven’t. It’s probably best to avoid the trial and error approach.
Did a couple of half marathons several years ago, but never got up to a full. Now, just running for the bus can make my shins sore for a couple of days.
Best of luck!!