Half Marathon before XC season?

Question

I put off running a half marathon earlier this month because I didn't feel prepared.

I still have the option to run one - but it's the day before I start XC practice.

How much will this hurt my training this season? Practice will be on the easy side the 1st two weeks, but I'm worried.

Answer 1

A half marathon is only 13 miles.  I assume the race is on Sunday, and practice starts Monday.  Most people do their long runs on Sunday anyways.  Assuming you have been training throughout the summer, your long run should be in the 13 mile area anyways.

Assuming you are treating the half like a glorified training run and are not "racing" it, I fail to see the problem.

Answer 2

I am not sure how your xc practise goes, but talk to the coach or person in charge. As a coach I might be quite happy because it shows you want to do things, and as long as there is no competition just after the 1/2 then ok do it.

Depends a bit on your age, fitness and ability. I assume you have been doing the training for it? Also if you are racing it or running it. I ran a 1/2 mara distance when 15, by 17 I was running that distance once a week.

You can always run a marathon but you may not be able to do a xc tryout every year.

Just weight up your priorities get some advice and make a decision and keep training.

Answer 3

u should at least give ur self 5 days to recover from a half marathon b4 u start running again, or i wouldnt do it if i were u.It could throw off ur whole training schedule.

Answer 4

Well, if you have a decent mileage per week, and do a good long run each week, then the half wouldn't really hurt.  However, this depends how fast you are planning to run the race.  If you plan to go all out, then this might affect your xc training (due to rest and possible injury).  But if you plan on running comfortably and fairly easy than feel free to go for it.  

So it just depends on how much effort you're going to put into the half.