I missed the half marathon benchmark due to being out of town, and as a result Saturday's 25K was pretty rough. I got to about 12 miles or so and then ended up walking most of the rest of the way. Should I take another try at it this weekend to get the longer distance in - just so I'm prepared for the upcoming 30K on August 7? I don't want to over train, but I do want to keep up and on track. Thanks.

Mary,
Look at it this way... You got to 80% of the distance, and the remaining 20% wasn't so good. But...not so bad that you couldn't finish it. Funny thing is, if you compare it to a marathon, 80% puts you right at the 21 mile mark. The running world is full of stories that start out, "I was doing great until I hit that 21 mile mark and I knew I only had a 10K left, but the wheels fell off." It's not recommended that you try to go out and make up miles, so my suggestion would be not to try again this weekend. I would have you follow the schedule as planned leading up to the 18.6 Benchmark.

Here's how I see your situation: You already know why it didn't go so well for you, "...due to being out of town..." and that's a valid excuse. Sometimes life throws us a curve. If you can get your head around making the best of the mileage in the upcoming weeks, you should be mentally prepared for the 18.6 benchmark. Next weekend (8/24-8/25) we're right back up at 13 miles again. Go into it with the attitude that's it going to be a training run/walk that you will do within your ability, and do everything you can to make it go well, ie; POSITIVE. This includes fueling, hydration, clothing and most of all, attitude. Remember, you've completed the 15 mile distance, and you CAN do this.

We all have bad days. Over training just makes them worse.
Doug

Don't you remember the first day of P-Fit they said "the only difference between a runner and a walker is the walker knows when they will walk"? I've always kept that in mind. I started running 5 seasons ago - I was never a runner before that. I remember the 25K so vividly. I was in pain. I was in despair wondering what the heck I was doing. I was certain that there was no way that I was going to finish the program. I kept it up and during the 30K something clicked! I started crying sometime around 16miles because it felt great!! I couldn't believe that I was doing this. I was officially a runner!

My first marathon, that year,I ran it in 5:38:46. I walked a lot. The speed walkers passed me. But I finished! It was great! I challenged myself to do it next year to beat my time. I've now done a marathon for the past 4 years! Last year I ran Victoria and I finished as the first girl in the early start!

Don't doubt yourself. Have fun with this. You don't need to run every step of 26.1 miles. Be proud that you can finish it. Not too many people can say that.