1 month to Half... AAAh!!

I have been planning this for months now, but finally officially signed up. I was excited for about 30 seconds, before I started to panick. Due to high heat, travel, new job, etc... I ended up behind in my training. Now, I need to double my distance in 4 weeks. (I am currently at 6 miles.) Well, more than double it i guess.... I am not so much "racing" as I am donating to charity for 13.1 miles, so time is not my top concern... My main goal as a new-ish runner is to cross the finish line in one piece with as little walking as possible...

Any advice? It's going to be a huge mental battle from here on out... (I'm doing this on my own with no running buddies, so I think at this point my biggest battle will be with my mind.)

*running to tape positive mantras to my bathroom mirror!*

First thing is... Don't panic! By the time I ran my half I had only run 10 miles. I was worried that I wouldn't make it but I ran it and I wasn't the last one to cross the finish line. You will want to try running 10 miles before the race. Take water and powerade or gaitorade with you cut it 1/2 water and 1/2 ade. Don't let rain or heat stop you. If you must, take a few walking breaks in the end. You can do this! I had to take a walking break a few times in training due to heat. As long as you finish it all counts.

...and start out slow. Don't try to sprint out at the beginning. It's easy to want to do that to keep up with the pack but you'll die early on. You will do great. I had run 9 miles max when I ran my first half. I agree that a 10 miler would be great beforehand. Have fun and enjoy the race. It's a great distance.

For the next 2 weeks you are going to need the 'LSD' training plan, Long Slow Distance, to build up to the Half. There is nothing bad about doing a run/walk/run Half, or any type run for that matter. Just getting out there and going for it is job #1.

__________________
"Life should not be a journey to the grave arriving in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways- Chardonnay in one hand, choclate in the other, totally worn out and screaming: Woo Hoo, what a Run"

Don't panic! You have plenty of time to get prepared and no matter what, you WILL finish! Add 2 miles to your long run the next 3 weeks, you should top off at 12 miles and then you'll have that extra 4th week for a mini taper. The main thing is for you to focus on the one long run each weekend til race day. Your not alone, we're here for you! What race did you sign up for? Now is also the time to figure out what you will want to wear or any gels, etc.. you'll be using during the race.

Dont think of it as panic, think of it as nervous anticipation. all the nerves will melt away the moment the race starts.

you will finish dont worry, also dont worry about not having any running buddies, its fun to run with people sometimes, but it can also be a bit of pain. running is "your" thing, when you run with people you kind of lose that, you have to be on time to meet. you cant just run out your front door.

add a mile onto your shorter runs and once a week on your longer runs of 5 or 6 add 2 miles like anthony said, you will easily be ready. you will see right away at the half that there are runners of every ability, the cool thing is that everyone is trying to do their best, its a race, but really your racing yourself.
i would make it a goal to finish, dont even have a time in your head for this first HM, just go run it nice and easy, walk through the water stations, drink when your thirsty, if your not thirsty its still comforting to take water even if you take a sip and spit it out. its refreshing.


cant wait to read your race report!

EXCITING!!!! I know you can do it! 6 miles is a great distance already - you will easily be able to finish it with 1 month to prepare. Everyone's advice above is perfect. Before my first half I had run 1 10 mile run and 1 13 (just to get myself mentally prepared to go 13 miles) but other than that my runs were all around 6 miles so you will definitely be able to do it. Don't underestimate yourself or the adrenaline of race day. Just signing up is a big step. Keep us informed on your training. Good luck to you and also, it is great you are running for charity.

You can do anything you set your mind to do!

Just wondering how the training is going. let us know.

Hey thanks everyone for the replies! Your encouragement and advice means so much to me! I don't feel quite so alone in this huge self-test when I know there are others out there in a similar boat, or just cheering me on. Gives that extra oomph, you know?

The training is going really well, better than I even expected!

My revised "catch up" training schedule is:

2 days- 3 mile run
2 days- weight lifting
2 days- rest (days before and after long run)
1 long run- jumped from 6 to 8, then did 9.3 yesterday. next weekend i'll get up to 10.5 (or 11 if i feel ok) and taper from there.

I'm feeling really good. I am terrified of injury, so i literally take every precaution. I've been using this month to experiment with what sports drink products etc. I like, which clothes are the most comfortable, Ice, Ibuprofen, rest, lots of sleep, stretching, etc... So far just light muscle soreness for a couple days, and I am starting to notice some light ligament (i am guessing?) soreness that seems to go away after a couple of days. Most of the pain is in my hips (I think I have "Popping hip syndrome") and may need to figure out some PT type excercizes that will help.

I think one of the biggest things that has helped me, actually, is listening to audiobooks instead of music. A lot of people have been looking at me strange when I say that, but what it has done is really cut out the inner mental struggle. I get bored with music, and then it turns into an arguement with myself to keep going. The audiobooks really keep my mind engaged in a different way. I realized, that the miles have passed before I even had a chance to argue with myself! It's really made running even more enjoyable for me. I do appreciate no headphones on some days, or music on others, but for the long runs, this has made all the difference for me.

The other 2 things very helpful things have been my hydration belt with water/gatorade (i really noticed a difference in my energy) and the COOL WEATHER! It rained on my last run, which was Glorious!

I'm still pretty slow, but I"m not focusing on that right now, and just trying to cover the distance with out injury. My next goal after i cross that finish line, is to work on my speed a bit!
xoxoxo thanks all for your encouragement!