I am training 4 the Great north run, but am struggleing to get past 6 miles???

Question

I've only been traing for 6 weeks, and come really far really fast, but my progress seems to have slowed and i'm worried i wont be ready 4 13 miles in 10 weeks time!! Any advice???

Answer 1

Keep going

Keep going!

try and push yourself each time and you'll get there

  

Answer 2

don't bother then, wait for the bus, it's easier and less work

Answer 3

You'll be surprised what you can do come race day. Earlier this year I ran the Dam-to-Dam in Des Moines, which was about the same distance (20K) without having run more than 6.5 miles in one outing in the previous 6 months. Don't worry about running more than 6 miles every time you work out either, 4-5 miles for a daily run with a 6-8 mile on either sat or sun will be sufficient. Good luck!

Answer 4

My first great north run and the longest training run I had done was 4 miles! (having said that I slept all the way home I was that tired). Now I tend to do 7 mile runs in preparation for a half marathon (this year I am doing a full one 2 weeks before so my runs are going to be longer). With the 7 mile runs I can complete the course OK, though slow a lot towards the end. Basically, if you can go a little further then the race atmosphere and the crowds will keep you going the rest of the way.

If you want to do a longer run then perhaps vary the route you are running. If you run the same route then at the same point your body will think "Im here now, so only another bit to go, I can feel this tired",vary the route and it gets confused and it can be easier to run further that way.

Try doing a long run but a little slower for a 1 off, perhaps go all out at the weekend and trry 8 slow miles. Depending on the time available to you, you can do this longer run once a week and the rest of the week 6 or 7 mile runs, and if you can then increase the distances untill about 2 weeks before the run - you dont need to be able to run the whole 13 miles in training the atmosphere helps a lot.

Failing that, run your 6 miles but add a little extra - run to the next junction before you turn for home, or add a loop round a block of houses to add a little distance (its amazing how easy it is to add 1/2 mile by ding that), then return to your route and go home.

10 weeks is enough time to get ready for the race, dont worry about it.

Ive mentioned the atmosphere, there are a couple of patches on the dual carriageway where the crowd is a bit thin and that can be a struggle (its uphill there too), but grit your teeth on that section, get back on the level and the crowds come back to cheer you on. Enjoy the day

Answer 5

1) Train more-This always helps, maybe about 3-4 times a week fairly brisk run about 30 minuts at a time.

2) Interval training-I find this the BEST way to improve my fitness and stamina over long distances for example, find a field nice and flat with low grass. Then maybe run fast for 2 mins then medium pace for 4 mins then slow for 4 mins. Repeat this 3-6 times and you will notice and instant improvement in your running style and stamina!

3) Eating well-This is very important and will test how much you really want to beat this girl. You must make sure you eat well but there is a difference between eating well and eating nothing. The key when trying to eat well is to eat more! This sounds crazy but if you give up say chips and then have nothing to replace them, your craving for them will become insane, where as if you find something to replace them you will hardly notice!

4) When racing-The comment above telling you to go out in the lead I would have to disagree with. It is always best to stay 2nd but right on there tail; the reasons for this being, if its windy then let the person infront ake all the wind whilst you cruise from behind and on the last 200 just go for it inside every runner theres that last burst of energy! You just have to find it!!

5)Over training- It also true that if you are over training you will not be able to run as far. I'd suggest have at least 1 day a week where you do NO physical excercise. Then maybe once a month have a period of 3-4 days where you just have a break from everything!

6)Drinking- You must ensure you are drinking loads of water! It is suggested you drink in excess of 3 litres a day to keep your body hydrated! You will never be able to run dehydrated!

Hope this helps!

Good luck!