Ricole Runs (Sometimes): Decisions, Decisions. What Would You Do?

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Decisions, Decisions. What Would You Do?

So my next big race is the Portland Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon next weekend on May 20th. I signed up for this race over a year in advance when they announced the inaugural event and had a one day sale (I believe it was May 1, 2011!). I'm still glad I signed up, but it's kind of a pain because the Girls On the Run 5k is the day before (SIGN UP!), and it's going to be cutting it close making it down to Portland and to the Expo before it closes at 5pm. That's what you get when you sign up more than a year in advance I guess?!

Anyway, so I've been going back and forth about my two options for this race: 1) Go for a PR, and 2) Make this one of my 20 milers in training for the Seattle Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. Both of these options have pros and cons, obviously. Which is why I'm here asking for your help and advice.

Option 1: Go for a PR. Obviously I'd love a PR. However I'm not sure it's possible at this time. My PR was set a long time ago (nearly two full years ago) during an all-the-stars-are-aligning moment, and although I came surprisingly semi-close at Lincoln City in March, I was still two full minutes off. I also don't think my half marathon pace has improved any since that time (it's possible it's even slowed) and the course is eerily similar to Lincoln City's with a big 3-mile-long hill in the middle. Look at these two elevation charts:

Lincoln City Elevation: 656 feet of gain

Portland Elevation: 338 feet of gain

On the other hand, although it might not be possible, why not at least try? Running a half marathon all out should improve my marathon fitness, yes? And I'm way ahead of my marathon training, after all, and this is exactly why, because I built this race and a recovery week afterwards into the schedule. I've ran one 20 miler already and plan to run a 22 miler the weekend of June 2 (3 weeks out from the marathon).

Option 2: Make this one of my 20 milers. After running the Seahawks 12k as part of a 15 miler I was instantly in love with the race-as-part-of-a-long-run idea. It helps keeps you motivated and pushes you. It makes it something to look forward to instead of dread. It's so much easier than running the 20 miler not as part of a race. This would add one extra long run to my training schedule (making my total 20+ milers = 3 instead of 2), which would probably help my marathon fitness. I am training for a marathon here, after all (not a half marathon), and I REALLY want a marathon PR in June.

So what will improve my marathon fitness more? An extra 20 miler or racing a half marathon? Given that a PR probably won't happen, is it worth going for it?

What do you guys think? What would you do? What do you think I should do?

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mego@watchmegorun · 673 weeks ago

I think you should see how you feel that day. If you go out there feeling really good and a few miles in, it seems like a PR is within in reach, go for it. Otherwise, just enjoy it and make it part of your 20 miler. I don't think either one would be bad. Both will end up benefitting your training and you're far enough out still that it won't make a huge difference if you don't the 20 miler next week.
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tashamalcolm 91p · 673 weeks ago

Tough decision! Here is my 2 cents. What is your overall goal, your "big picture"? If it is the marathon then use Portland as a training run. At least that is what my coach would tell me. I am just running Portland for fun. I too signed up on May 1st and wished that I hadn't now. I will never sign up for races so far in advance now. I have 4 HMs between this weekend and the end of June because I signed up in advance. Not good!
My recent post Bloomsday: an unexpected PR

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hikermom · 673 weeks ago

I say listen to your body. You may be tired after your event on Saturday and traveling. On another note, it looks like you have a partner for the Danskin tri:) I won an entry from the Purple Giraffe! I can't believe it! Yikes!
My recent post Boredom and Excitement!

2 replies · active 673 weeks ago

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ricoleruns 72p · 673 weeks ago

Yesssss!!!!!! I'm so excited!! �Let's open water swim together! :-)

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hikermom · 673 weeks ago

Definitely! I have been excited all day. I can't believe I won!
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enthusiasticrunner 32p · 673 weeks ago

I think you should run 20 miles, and see how you feel at the 20 mile mark. If you feel like you can push it and get the PR, go for it! If not, just say it was a 20 mile training run! It will take the pressure off!

Good luck! Hope it goes well!

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marathonlar 68p · 673 weeks ago

I would definitely argue that you have put in your long runs for marathon training so I wouldn't worry about getting the 20 miles in. Go for the PR...those are so much more fun than running 20 miles slow :)
My recent post The Week I Ran a Marathon

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Maureen · 673 weeks ago

You're doing Portland RNR? The route goes right by my house and I'm planning to be spectator extraordinaire. Look for me just after mile 7!!!
Good luck!!
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alimcrws 38p · 673 weeks ago

I'm not going to be helpful b.c I'd always go for the PR!!!!!!!!!!! ;)
My recent post The diagnosis: It’s called an Upslip

1 reply · active 673 weeks ago

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ricoleruns 72p · 673 weeks ago

You KNOW that's what I want to do too!� :-)

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Erik · 673 weeks ago

Yes! Why not warm-up for a mile or two then set out at a 1/2 PR pace. If you're feeling it, go for it! If not, enjoy it!. When you're done, you'll be at 15.1 with a two mile warm-up and then just stroll around for an easy 5 (that sure is easy to say...) whether you go for it or not!!
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Cynthia · 673 weeks ago

I say go for the PR! I don't think you need another 20 miler in there.
I PR'd at a half marathon last year, one week before I ran Seattle RnR Marathon. I knew I wasn't going for PR for the marathon so I decided why not go for a PR at the half. Even though I did end up PR'ing at the full too.
My recent post Lake Lowell Half Marathon Recap

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elizabeth · 673 weeks ago

tough call. i did a 1/2 marathon as part of my 18 mile training run and hated it. i ran the 1/2 too hard and my 18 miler suffered. i guess it depends on your overall goal- if it is the marathon, then do it as a training run-because if you push for a PR the recovery may take longer than expected. and I say your option is to find a 1/2 marathon a month out from your marathon and push for your PR then. it workedfor me last fall :):) but…all of that being said-it could be another stars aligned kinda day and you may as well push.

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Kim @ (Just) Trying · 673 weeks ago

I'm not convinced that hill at RNR Portland is going to be that bad. It looks gradual, and I'm learning that elevation maps can be deceiving. 300 ft over 3 miles seems doable...might be a PR course, especially if the weather is perfect.
My recent post Three Things Thursday

1 reply · active 673 weeks ago

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ricoleruns 72p · 673 weeks ago

Good point!� It is certainly half the hill of the Lincoln City half, or at least the total elevation gain is about half of that.�

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Lauren · 673 weeks ago

Hmm, if it were me I'd probably do the race as part of a 20-miler. I had two 19 and two 20+ runs as part of my training and that really helped me feel prepared. Then again, my half PR is also almost 2 years old and I've since run faster on a plain old training run! Even so, I'd prefer to train hard for a PR rather than come upon it incidentally, and that extra mileage will help with your marathon.

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Erika · 673 weeks ago

This is a tough one! I think you see how you feel that morning and make it a game day decision. If you are feeling speedy, go for the PR! If not, then do an easier LSD run and add a few miles before or after but don't go too crazy. Quality miles are better than quantity at this point, so close to your marathon!!
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Jamie · 673 weeks ago

I'm not sure what I would do! I'm interested to see what you will decide, I'm sure you'll make the right decision for yourself :)
My recent post Five is the Magic Number

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pensive pumpkin · 673 weeks ago

I have no opinion because, you know, I'm new. I'm just excited you'll be in Portland too! I ran ten miles yesterday in prep! Yay! RnrPDX here we come!!!
My recent post How Do You Taper if You Weren't Running?

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Robyn · 673 weeks ago

I have to go against the popular opinion on this one and say I think you should make it part of your 20 miler. A couple of reasons...mainly because if you want to PR the marathon, you don't want to risk any kind if post-race injury/soreness time just for the sake of a half PR. If the
Full PR is what you care about more- I say it's much wiser to play it safe. Doesn't mean you don't get to race the half, maybe just don't do it all out. Plus, when we try and PR every race...it gets to be too much pressure and not as fun. Also, I would definitely say an extra 20 miler is better for marathon fitness, in the grand scheme of it all. Of course, up to you, and either way I am sure it will be an awesome race! Love me some Stumptown :)
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Thursday, May 10, 2012

Decisions, Decisions. What Would You Do?

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