Crazyness-Half Marathon as first race?

Ok, I have been trying to get myself ready for some sort of race this year but for on reason or another (health specifically) it has not turned out. I was going to do a 5K in July. That did not happen due to the above mentioned health problems. They have not gone away but I am dealing with them.

I just found out that there is a Half marathon -trail race- toward the end of October. Should I at least go for this? Or am I trying something to soon and to fast without proper preparation. Since this is trail it is more difficult than asphalt. That part has me concerned. If I recall, last time I did a "big run" on dirt (4 miles) it took me about 1.5 hours. Not only that, in the trail running book that I have it says go by time and not distance. I know I can do 2 miles in about one half hour or 4 miles in a hour (according to theory). That means right now, I would finish the half in about 3.5 hours or a little less.

I was mentally thinking this through, and if I start at 2 miles where I am now and add .5 miles every week, that would put me about 10 miles by the time the race comes around. Is it ok to add the .5 miles in training on trails when everywhere it says to increase by time and not distance?

Am I nuts in trying to see if I can do this? Is this realstically possible?

I would appreciate all wisdom and advise from all of you who have more experience than I do.

Thanks,
Red Rock

Well, I know zero about trail running, but it seems to me it would be asking for trouble.

You're talking about multiplying your mileage by six and a half in the space of a month and a half (the other two weeks being your taper).

Here I am knowing that I'm really cramming things very tight, getting back into marathon training and going from 14 to 26 in about the same period of time. And it's only been three months since my last (first) marathon, so I haven't lost that much fitness.

I don't think there's anything generally wrong with a half as your first race, but this one is just too soon, IMO.

Will they be doing other distances at the same event? A 10K would be more realistic.

Thanks Oak, I was wondering that myself. Yes, I can see a 10K being more realistic. Unfortunately they do not have any other racesat a shorter distance at this time. The only other one is the full marathon and I am not even going there right now.

Red Rock

I have to agree with Oak on this one. I've only run one half-marathon and I trained for 12 weeks for it---but I'm 51. My 28 year old son, on the other hand, trained for the same half-marathon and decided to do the full marathon at mile 11. The longest distance he had ever run was 16 miles. It wasn't the brightest thing he's ever done but he finished.

You want this to be fun and a positive experience and not doing the proper training may lead to injury. That wouldn't be fun:(

Thank you for conferming my thoughts on all of this. I'll see if I can't find something of a shorter distance.

Red Rock

familiar with this type of terrain, you could be setting yourself up for disappointment. I run on very rutted mountain bike and hiking trails. The paths can go from 20 feet wide to less than 2 feet wide. One route I take is almost perfectly flat for nearly 2.5 miles, then it flips upwards for a steep 1.5 mile uphill climb. The hill is so steep I've seen bikers suddenly stop at the base of the hill and turn around. The hill is a combination of rock, sand, and dirt. Running up it is a killer; but running down it also poses a challenge as the rock and sand make for slippery uneven surfaces. I cross a winding creek at several points--the makeshift foot bridges are often very slippery. The creek isn't deep; I could simply run through it as many do, I just don't like soggy shoes.

It takes some practice to get comfortable with the ever changing terrain. The steep hills, twists, and turns take a lot of energy to maneuver. My daily trail run is 6 miles in less than an hour; plus I walk a mile. Some days I do 8 miles, plus my walk. I want to work myself up to 10 and 15 mile weekend runs. Perhaps 20 miles. I constantly work and re-work my techniques to master the trails. Even though I run many of the same trails day after day, I find the challenge overwhelming at times. But that's also why I do it. I love the challenge.

I try to run safely, but I also run against the clock--it's always about time. One of the most important skills you have to learn as a trail runner is you have to learn how to fall. You need to learn how to tuck and roll. The instinct is to put your hands out to break your fall--you can't do that, instead you have to learn how to tuck you shoulder and roll. I think you are ready to run a trail marathon when you feel totally confident in your ability to handle any situation on the trail.

The trails take a lot out of me--that's why I have a road bike instead of a mountain bike. The road is where I go to recuperate--and it's nice because on the road I'm not eating dirt.:)