How to keep going???

Hi girls .. So, I did another 7 mile run ( ) yesterday. It just seems that I have to stop to walk for a few minutes in btwm. Its like I hit a wall or something after 5 or so miles. Im training for a half. Any advice on how to not stop and just keep running? Once I stop to walk its so much harder to get back into running. All i want to do is walk after the 1st time I do it.

Ive tried slowing my pace and already im a very slow runner so its not like im pushing myself too much.

Any advice from the marathoners???

Re: How to keep going???

We are obviously on the same training schedule, this past weekend I had to do 7-9 miles and the only reason I got to 8 was b/c I did a loop and had to get home!

I honestly think there is nothing wrong with walking if you need to. One of my runner friends says its a myth that you have to keep running for the whole thing--she always walks.

I think it just takes time to be able to get up to running for an entire 7-8 miles and setting small goals (running to that stop sign, then setting another goal to run to the street sign, etc.) breaks it up a bit.

Also, running with others REALLY helps! I ran my 8 miles with DH and that helped me a lot!

Re: How to keep going???

No advice. I jsut wanted to give you . I know how important this is to you

Re: How to keep going???

I would definitely stop if you need to. Sometimes I find that the distance and convincing myself that I shouldn't stop played more of a head trick with me. Setting smaller goals and saying, I am running at least 5 miles today, and then getting to the 5 miles and thinking, no way, you're going 2 more, helped me push through. You will get there, I promise. I trained with a friend and she stopped when needed and it actually helped her and she beat me by a couple of minutes. The training for me was honestly harder than the half marathon in all honesty. You will get there and don't get down on yourself. You also have to remember, the weather plays a factor I know especially for me. I could never pull off an 8 mile run in this weather!

Re: How to keep going???

time on your feet is time on your feet. That's what long runs are about. Walking is not a sin! (I have had to during my 20 mile runs)

Otherwise:


*slowing down
*making sure you are hydrated
*carbs - usually if you run more than 45-60 min - you might want to start thinking about carbs (gels, beans, even sports drinks)
*step back. what is your schedule? you might be over-trained and stepping back to a 5 mile run might rejuvenate you!

Re: How to keep going???

The last few days have been so humid. I run a lot and had a hard time doing 7 miles yesterday and today. Yesterday, I walked at mile 6 because the air was just so thick.

And ITA with Erica

Re: How to keep going???

I would like to know how long it takes you to run that far? anything over an hour can require fueling such as gels or even an electrolyte type drink. I am training for the Marine Corp Marathon and I find that the sports beans do not upset my stomach or the GU brand Frech Vanilla gu.

Re: How to keep going???

I did that a lot when training for my first half, and was able to run for most of it when I did the actual race. I stop to walk for a few minutes during most of my long runs, and i Feel more prepared for my upcoming races than ever before....

Re: How to keep going???

When I was training for my first half when I got to some of my longer runs I had to stop and walk. I also stopped for a few minutes sometimes to just stretch out. A 2 minute stop to stretch can help so much!!

Have you been doing crosstraining to give your legs a break once or twice a week? I found that helped as well.

Re: How to keep going???

I love this board. Thank you all so much for the responses...

It took me 1.32 to do the 7 miles. I did actually eat a GU like 15 minutes before I went out there. Im definitely not drinking enough water during because the water fountains sometimes are really gross and I dont like holding a water bottle while running.

I guess I should stop feeling like Im failing when I have to walk some. I just feel that if I have to walk to finish 7 whats going to happen at 10? Crawling? haha

Re: How to keep going???

I think Hal Higdon's son ran a ~2:30 marathon while walking through water stops. There is a program that has you run a mile and walk a minute that gets you a 4:00 marathon.

I think hydration seems to be an issue. an you loop around to pass your house and stop to drink? fuel belt (you don't even really notice them)? stashing water on your route before hand? stopping at a convenience store to buy some water/sports drink.

For 1:30 you probably need to consume some carbs during your run. I don't like gels, so I do sports drinks for that length, but otherwise I like sports beans.

also, like others have said, the heat and humidity can do a real number on running.

Re: How to keep going???

Can you try running with a friend or a group?

Re: How to keep going???

Re: How to keep going???

The sport beans are by Jelly Belly--I use them after running for 60 minutes.

You need a hydration belt! I have two--one that has 4 bottles around and one that only has 1. You can get these on runningwarehouse.com or any other running site. You don't have to run with a bottle in your hand and you don't have to worry about yucky fountains!

Re: How to keep going???

I was like you and couldn't run with a water bottle but trust me, it will make the difference keeping you hydrated! I finally caved and bought a bottle like below and I sipped on it throughout the race and even stopped to refill at a water stop. Also, try Chomps. I would use these or the jelly belly energy beans and for the half. To me, the chomps were tastier than the beans, more like a fruit snack but my friend preferred the beans. Around mile 7, I ate a couple of the Chomps and it seemed to really help give me a push although it could have been mind over matter. I put 3 Chomps into the zipper pouch on this water bottle so they were easily accessible. This water bottle is really light weight and just slips right on your hand so it wasn't much effort carrying it the whole time. Hydration is so important and can definitely make the difference, trust me! This is the water I purchased below, definitely try it out!

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Re: How to keep going???

Awesome! Thanks girls!

Question about the belt. Does it stay in place while running or does it bounce around?

Re: How to keep going???

I have a fuel belt and it does not move at all!

I, too, hate gels. My first time using them, I cried while running, b/c I had to wash it down with so much water and I just didn't know how I was going to fuel during a race.

I have tried chomps, but they are a little too big and jello like for me.

beans are perfect for me...it takes me a while to finish a bag...I just snack on them little by little.

for 1:30 a sports drink would be fine too. I really only eat beans over 15 miles...everything else is powerade.


Also, last year I started to freeze the gatorade G1 pouches. I would open it as I started and take about a mile to eat the slushie. I found it really helped to keep my cool and refreshed and added some carbs in too.

Re: How to keep going???

When I was training for HM, I remember that I needed to repeat the week with the 8 mile long run. Of the entire training plan, it was the only one that i had to repeat. The second time around, it got much easier! I also agree with using the Jelly Belly Sport Beans whenever you feel that you need a boost on a long run. I buy them at ****'s.

Also, whereas I was always stubborn about not walking, I read recently in a running magazine that sometimes walking for a short time here and there can actually help you make your goal time.

Re: How to keep going???