What’s Your Longest Long Run?

on February 16, 2014
in All Posts

I had something different for breakfast this morning – Chia Seed Pudding.  I bought a huge bag of chia seeds for the Coco-Nut Cups so I’ve been trying to find creative ways to use them up.

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Chia seeds come from a desert plant and are packed with omega 3s, protein, and many vitamins.  Two tablespoons of chia seeds contain 4 grams of protein, 9 grams of healthy fats, and 11 grams of fiber (Source).  I’ve been putting chia seeds in smoothies, oatmeal, and – of course – chocolate!

 

The cool thing about chia seeds is that if you mix them with a little bit of liquid and let it stand for a bit, a gel-like texture forms.  You can even use this chia seed goo as an egg replacer in many recipes.  Obviously, it wouldn’t work for omelets!  But it does work quite well for stuff like cake, cookies, and pancakes.

chia seed egg

I followed this Daily Burn recipe to create Vanilla-Almond Chia Seed Breakfast Pudding.  I whipped up the mixture before going to bed last night, and this morning, I had a delicious (and super easy) meal.

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I layered my pudding with granola and blueberries.  Mmmmm.

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It’s worth noting that Henry thought this was delicious, too!  It’s hard to impress him these days…

 

What’s Your Longest Long Run?

 

This afternoon, we are tackling 10 miles.  Oh Lordy.  My half marathon is in three weeks, so it is definitely time that I get up to double digits.

I’m trying to decide what long runs I’ll do for the next two weekends.  I don’t want to jump forward too much in mileage, especially considering my lack of double digit runs. But I think there’s a huge mental benefit for doing the Half Marathon distance BEFORE race day.  However, I’m running up against the clock.  I could do 11.5 miles next weekend, and then squeeze in a 13 miler, depending on how I feel.  But maybe the mental boost of running the race distance is not *worth it* physically this time around…

 

So – when training for a half marathon, what’s your longest long run?  Do you prefer to save your body for race day or do you really benefit from *knowing* you can do the 13.1 miles before you toe the starting line?

{ 51 comments }

 

  • Aishah @ Coffee, Love, Health February 16, 2014, 10:09 am

    I remember running 10 miles before my first (and only thus far) half marathon. I see a lot of people like to tackle 13 miles before the race, like you said, but why is that? I guess I didn’t think to because I really wanted the first race I ever did to be special. It was my first time going that far ever. I hope to do one again in the future. <3

  • Megan February 16, 2014, 10:28 am

    I’ve always heard that you don’t need to run the entire race distance. Plus you need to taper…

    The longest long run I’ve done before a half was “10” miles. I thought it was 10, until I got a Garmin a few yrs later and discovered it was 9. I actually think that was beneficial for me bc I pushed myself harder in the race bc I had a false sense of what my training pace had been. 🙂

    Good luck!

  • Erica { EricaDHouse.com } February 16, 2014, 10:47 am

    I ran my first full last year so my weekend LR’s are 8-12 miles most weekend now. When I trained for my first half I did run 13 twice before race day. I wanted to make sure I could do it! Now if I have a half coming up I just aim to do 12 a week or two before.

  • Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries February 16, 2014, 10:54 am

    I have a half marathon on March 15th, and I’ve been debating the same thing. I’m curious what others will say!

  • Chrissy February 16, 2014, 11:02 am

    It depends who I am training with…I would never go less than 12 miles, but sometimes the people I’m running with want more. I’ve gone as high as 14! I’ve, also, used training plans with adding mileage via time. Instead of distance, we’ve concentrated on hours run.
    We received over a foot of snow last night. I’m thinking it will be a long distance snow shoe today. Good Luck with your race!

  • Sharon February 16, 2014, 11:07 am

    Not sonic a runner myself. Back in the day, 13 before race day is what I aimed for I think – or that’s what Hal Higgins aimed for, I should say. ;). Chia seed jam is great, too!

  • Maeve February 16, 2014, 11:08 am

    I just read a really interesting article about training methods that dont bother with a long run. Instead of running 3-4x a week with a long one, they do 6x a week and top out at 60% of the distance. The idea being that you are used to running on tired legs.

    I dont know if I would do it myself, everyday running is a huge commitment and I think it would be challenging to do so without injury and burnout…but nonetheless it’s definitely a fascinating article challenging the “assumption” that we need a weekly long run!

    http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/16/marathon-training-minus-the-long-run/?_php=true&_type=blogs&runwell&_r=0

  • Amy @ Juice Boxes + Crayolas February 16, 2014, 11:23 am

    I typically only run two 10-milers before a half marathon. It’s enough to get me the fitness level I need without overdoing it on my legs. Good luck with your half!

  • Sierra February 16, 2014, 11:31 am

    I’m training for my first half now, and included a 12 mile run as my longest. I didn’t want to go all the way to 13 and tire myself out before the race, but mentally I know the closer I get in training, the better. Have fun with your 10 miler today, I’m headed out for 9!

  • Marie February 16, 2014, 11:49 am

    Keep the 13 miles for race day! My longest training long run is 11 miles. When I’m at 11 miles on race day, I feel a rush of energy that every step that I take is one more than I did in training, so it feels like a victory! Finishing a long distance race is my go to «backup goal», and I’m happy with whatever happens.
    That strategy was really helpful for my first marathon. At 20 miles, I knew every step was the longest distance I’ve ever done: I was on cloud 9, finished the race like a champion and NEVER hit a wall.
    BTW, this running passion has been developed thanks to YOU: you are the first blog I’ve read and it’s fun to follow your adventures. Buying a house and having kids are steps that are near in my future and reading your take on it is inspiring. Much love!

  • Tracy February 16, 2014, 12:00 pm

    The longest run I did before my half was 10 miles! I workout 6 days a week and do so much other cardio I feel like my body was going to be ok for my half, which it was! It is hard to get those long runs in when you are a busy mama! I think you’ll do great, you are already so active! 🙂

  • Lee February 16, 2014, 12:12 pm

    I’ve done halves where the most I’ve run is 10 and others where the most is 12.5. I haven’t really seen a huge difference during the actual race between both distances as the longest run.

  • Elizabeth @ Positive Change February 16, 2014, 12:31 pm

    The pudding looks really good! I have been seeing this around the blog world but it just kind of freaks me out! I have to give it a try though! I will run up to 15 for a 1/2 if I am trying to PR. If I am just training for fun I will run up to 11 ish.

  • Sara @ LovingOnTheRun February 16, 2014, 12:39 pm

    I haven’t trained specifically for a half marathon but if I were going to I would probably fit in one 12-13 mile run. Though if you are on a time crunch and can fit in a 10-11 I think you would be more than fine!

  • Runner Girl Eats February 16, 2014, 12:46 pm

    My highest mileage run was 11 for my half. It was definitely long enough to mentally prep me for the race. I like saving the 13.1 miles for race day and focus on running strong training runs of less mileage leading up to it.

  • Kerry February 16, 2014, 12:56 pm

    The last time I raced a half I had actually been training for a full. The full was cancelled a couple of weeks prior to the race…you know, after I had done a few 14 mile runs, a 17 mile run, and a 20 mile run. The half was BREEZE after that.

  • Heidi February 16, 2014, 1:02 pm

    My longest run before a half is 10 miles. I figure after that there is only a 5k left and I can just use Jedi mind tricks to get through that if need be.

  • Steph February 16, 2014, 1:11 pm

    I have to say I love that even with your new ish format, you still post on Sundays. I love to read on the west coast with my morning coffee in bed 🙂

  • Tess February 16, 2014, 1:42 pm

    I’m running my first half this April. I will definitely want to run the distance before the race just to make sure I can do it. You being a veteran of fitness probably don’t have the same nervousness as I do. You inspire me!

  • Jessica R February 16, 2014, 2:20 pm

    Prior to my first half marathon 10 was the farthest I had gone. I like to go closer to 15 now but that is only when I am have the time to build up to it. In your shoes I would stick with the 11.5 or so and call it good. You know you can make it from there! I miss running long!

  • Kim February 16, 2014, 3:37 pm

    I’m also training for a half marathon but mine is 7 weeks away! I just hit 10 miles today. I’m hoping to work my way up to 13 in the next three weeks and then alternate between 10 and 13 every weekend after until race day. I know a lot of people “taper down” once they get closer to race day but that thought scares me. I want to know I can do it! Good luck on your race!

  • Jelena@ThoseLittleThings February 16, 2014, 3:41 pm

    I am running my first half marathon on 6th of April. I am at 16 km (10 miles now), so unless I get scared, I think I will do the full length before the race

  • Katie H. February 16, 2014, 3:43 pm

    Unless I’m “trained up” (meaning I’m running my second or more half-marathon of the season) I stick to 10 miles pre-race. Otherwise, you might risk overuse injuries if you do too many “longest ever” runs right beforehand.

    Whatever you decide to do will be right for you! Good luck in your last weeks of training 🙂

  • Jackie February 16, 2014, 3:44 pm

    I’ve only done 10; and aside from soreness after the actual event, I didn’t feel much of a difference between pre-race 10 and actual-race 13.

  • Sarah February 16, 2014, 4:20 pm

    I’ve only done 2 half marathons, and training for a third, but I’ve done 12 as my longest run 2-3 weeks before the race. Mentally, I figure I can squeeze out one more mile for the race. I’ve seen plans where the longest is 10 miles, but three miles seems like a lot of “extra” to pull out during the race!

  • Cortney Jantzer February 16, 2014, 5:06 pm

    It depends on the race, season, training cycle and goals but generally speaking as long as I get a 10 long run (in addition to my other training) in two-three weeks before, I am good.

  • Sara February 16, 2014, 5:54 pm

    I ran 13 miles for my first few but now that I have the hang of it, I typically cap it at 10 miles. I think it’s different for everyone based on how you have trained leading up to that point. I wouldn’t do 13 the weekend before but that’s just me! Thanks for including the chia seed pudding recipe! I’ve been meaning to try something like this.

  • Abi@AbsofSteel February 16, 2014, 6:15 pm

    I am currently training for a half and I plan on getting in the full 13.1 before running it. I am doing it about 3 weeks before though. I wouldn’t do 13 miles only 1-2 weeks away from the actual half. Maybe you could compromise and do 12 next week, I’d feel pretty confident about doing a half after 12 miles.

  • Kati February 16, 2014, 7:26 pm

    I’ve done 5 half marathons now and have always done 11 miles two weekends before and 8-9 the weekend before. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it right? I think just building up your mileage and being consistent is the most important part of any training rather than actual mileage.

  • Pamela February 16, 2014, 7:37 pm

    Hmm – I’m training for my first 1/2 and feel like I mentally have to work my way up and do 13 before the race (mid-April). I did 10 today too, my farthest ever!

  • Amanda - RunToTheFinish February 16, 2014, 8:16 pm

    You totally just reminded me to go use the chia seeds in my cabinet!

    I think the length of my runs depends on my goal for the race. I have one in two weeks and I did 14 this weekend, but I also ran a half 2 weeks ago so my body was primed for that and I mentally wanted to cover a little more distance to help me push harder on race day.

  • Melissa @ Mel's Miles February 16, 2014, 8:26 pm

    I like to do a 12 miler before half marathons, but don’t always have time. I think a 10 miler is great and will definitely get you across the finish line successfully. You might even PR 🙂

  • Chattynatty February 16, 2014, 8:35 pm

    I’ve never done the full 13.1 pre half. 11-12 max. Same for full- longest 22

  • Luv What You Do February 16, 2014, 8:43 pm

    20 miles. I did two of them before my last marathon and that was awesome.

  • Rebecca February 16, 2014, 11:24 pm

    Hello giant Babies R Us ad at the top of the page. Not sure if that’s just me or…

    My dad does 8-10+ a lot of weekends it seems like, if the weather’s right and his running buddies want to go that far. He’s come home and said 12 before, but I don’t know if that’s specifically when he’s training for something or if that’s just because he feels like running that far. Right now he’s working on elevation for this Colorado run in June. Inclines on the treadmill are work. Crazy man.

  • Cathy February 17, 2014, 1:13 am

    I usually try to run a 13 miler before a half or at least an 11. But I totally get what you’re saying – is it worth it to be mentally ready or 100% physically ready.

    Also where do you buy your chia seeds? I’ve been wanting to try them, but not sure where to get them from. Thanks!

  • Megan @ The Skinny-Life February 17, 2014, 7:58 am

    I have a chia seed pudding recipe on my ever evolving list of recipes to try. Good to hear you liked it! I thought it sounded weird, but now you motivated me to try it.

  • Amanda McQueen February 17, 2014, 9:16 am

    I almost always keep my body where I can run a Half Marathon at any point, but before my first Half I did the most I ran was 10 miles. Now as far as marathons go, I never run more than 20 miles in training. So using that principle I would say that there really is no reason to run the race distance before the race. Your body and adrenaline will carry you that extra distance on race day. I definitely wouldn’t run 13 miles the week before the Half (if I read that correctly). If you are going to do it I’d do it ASAP and then taper off. I personally like to do my last few weeks before a Half like this … 10, 12, 8, Half.

  • Jill February 17, 2014, 11:34 am

    I don’t think I’ve ever gone over 10 miles training for a half. If I can run 10 and feel good while doing it, I’ve always been confident that come race day 13.1 will be no problem with the added adrenaline and a good playlist 🙂

  • Aqiyl Aniys February 17, 2014, 12:24 pm

    My longest run so far is 7 miles. This is really good for me because I disliked running but I am starting to enjoy it. I used to have bad running technique and used to land on my heals which didn’t make running enjoyable. I have worked on my stride and land on the balls of my feet which takes a lot of pressure off my body. I am running for you one hour currently, but what I am working on is increasing my speed. I am currently running at 7mph per hour and once I get that up to 8-9mph I then intend to increase my distance.

  • Kelly February 17, 2014, 1:39 pm

    I think the furtherest I ran was 10 miles. I think after 10 miles it becomes more of a mental game anyway…physically if you can run 10 I think you can run 13.

  • Natalie February 17, 2014, 1:49 pm

    I’ve done two halves. Ran a 12 miler before the first and an 11 miler before the second. My long run route for my second always ended with two brutal miles uphill. When the race was flat/ downhill at the end, those last few miles felt so easy!

  • Courtney February 17, 2014, 2:14 pm

    If I’m trying to PR, my longest long run will be 15-16 miles. If I’m not, if I’m just enjoying it/joining in with friends, then I’ll max out at 10. 🙂

  • Mary February 17, 2014, 3:46 pm

    I never run longer than 11 miles when training for a half…gotta save the distance for race day!

  • Sarah February 17, 2014, 8:53 pm

    I always like to save the distance for race day! Seems more special that way.

  • Emily February 17, 2014, 11:28 pm

    While training for a half this fall, my longest run was 12 miles. This was perfect, as I knew I had enough endurance to run the full half marathon, but the distance still excited me come race day.

  • Laura@SneakersandSpatulas February 18, 2014, 9:45 am

    When prepping for half marathons in the past, I’ve always run 12 miles two weeks before the race as my longest run and then tapered from there. I feel it is close enough to race distance to feel confident without actually running a half marathon! 🙂

    I’m training for my first 70.3 distance this summer and I was wondering what you did as your longest run in training for the 13.1 mile run when you were training for your 70.3?

  • Carina February 18, 2014, 1:54 pm

    I couldn’t find the pudding recipe you mentioned.

    I’d echo what others said about the 15-16 mile long run distance you need to PR. Now that I’ve been running long enough that PRs don’t just happen, for a half, I usually train up to about 16 miles for my long run, ideally with about 8 at tempo pace. Totally depends on your goals though. For a first or for a not strenuous PR, with 10 miles, should be no problem to finish, and maybe even PR if you haven’t really trained for and raced a half well before.

    • Caitlin February 18, 2014, 2:21 pm

      dailyburn.com/life/recipes/chia-breakfast-pudding/

  • Elsa February 19, 2014, 4:46 am

    My longest run before my 2 half marathons was 17-18 km. I’m now training for my first full and aiming to do the full distance a couple of weeks before race day. I think I just want to be sure I can make the distance.
    Kind of like when I swam the distance of my sprint tri non-stop in the pool a couple of weeks ago in training just to be sure I wasn’t going to drown.

  • Laura February 19, 2014, 2:37 pm

    I never do 13. I figure that helps me feel more of a sense of accomplishment when I run the actual 13.1 on race day. And I am usually running against time constraints, so a 12 or 11 miler has to make do. I think I’ve done 15-20 halves and so I have a very standard training schedule where the last month I do 11, 10, 12, 9 and then the race. Halves are actually my favorite distance: 2ish hours of running seems perfect and every race I tell myself, this is a great day for a long run with all these people! I love races.

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