Half-marathon training plan: 12 weeks until my first 21,1K

So as many of you might know I have registered to run a half-marathon at the Narva Energy Run on the 15th of June. I wrote about that in “My goals for the year 2014” and it is one of my top goals in workouts and fitness this year. 21,1 kilometres. A lot!

I registered in December 2013 and actually had a training plan ready even before that. I’m the master planner obviously 😀 I found the original 12-week training plan somewhere online, I think it was that one. I modified it to my personal preference and needs.

So I came up with something that looks like this:

Poolmaratoni treeningplaan JJV

I used my regular colours on this plan: 

  • running (regular and races)

  • muscle workouts

  • cycling

  • swimming

  • Nike Training Day: lots of different group workouts. More information here.

This plan might change a little here and there because let’s face it: sometimes life happens and you have to change some stuff, especially when considering my recent hamstring injury. The most unsure are Fridays since I don’t know when I’ll have Zumba classes with my best friend and when I won’t. But in general my plan is to do 2 Jooks Jõud Venitus workouts, one of them focused on intervals (Wednesday), one more focused on strength (Monday) and one slower and longer run on Saturdays. I’m also going to be doing 2 muscle workouts (BodyPump preferably), cycling and swimming. Occasionally do other stuff like Zumba, long walks etc as well.  Those extra workouts can change according to how I feel. If I feel like I need more rest, I might skip something in the plan; if I feel like doing more, I will. I’ve also started to think about doing a foam rolling class but it overlaps with Tuesday’s BP… I might have to buy a foam roller and roll at home a couple of times per week to really condition and stretch my muscles.

When it comes to nutrition, I won’t be changing much. Maybe only add more root vegetables and some fruits to get more carbs at the end of May and beginning of June when I have longer and more serious distances to run (like 15+ kilometres). I’m going to do everything according to how I feel and try my best to listen to my body’s signals. 

Whether I’ll do a carb-up right before the race, I don’t know yet. How do you carb-up without grains? I just feel miserable after eating grains: bloating, heartburn, gas and extreme heaviness in my stomach. So I don’t really want to eat them… What should I eat to get more carbs? Potatoes? Bananas? What else? I have no idea! More research needs to be done in that department. Liberal low carb is the plan from May I guess.

What do you think: can I do it? Is this a reasonable plan? What should I change? Let me know in the comments!

TriSmile33.3 vs Tartu Everyman’s Triathlon vs RMK Kõrvemaa Triathlon

For a good few months now I’ve had a very big goal in mind: to compete in a sprint triathlon. When this idea sneaked into my mind, I wanted to do the RMK Kõrvemaa Triathlon. Then I found out about the A. Le Coq Everyman’s Triathlon (Igamehetriatlon) in Tartu. Then I remembered that there is a very popular triathlon in Pühajärve: TriSmile33.3… I’m sure there are other triathlons out there as well.

So many options, one confused Margit.

So what does this girl do when she can’t make up her mind? Writes down pros and cons of each event. Then posts it on her blog and hope someone smarter can give her good advice or some tips. 🙂

 


 

RMK Kõrvemaa Triathlon

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Date: 19th of July 2014

Distances:

350 m of swimming

22 km of cycling (mountain bike)

4 km of running

Place: Soodla in Harjumaa

Pros:

+ A lot of participants (over 400 in 2013) –> not a huge chance I’ll finish last

+ A descent amount of time between the event and my first half-marathon in Narva (5 weeks)

+ Price: 16+10€

+ Normal sized starting groups (75 persons)

Cons:

– Women and men start at completely different times (10 AM and 1.30 PM) –> I find it odd/weird

Too little information about courses, for example the trail profile etc. I can find info only about distances, nothing more.

– Early start (10 AM)

No race briefing

– Transition area times aren’t separately measured, included in bike time

– Location: I need to drive/be driven there by a car

– No opportunity to train on the race courses

– No extra stuff: actual diploma, medal, T-shirt etc

– No social events

 


A. Le Coq Tartu Igamehetriatlon (Every Man’s Triathlon)

triathlon_logo

Date: 12th of July 2014

Distances:

500 m of swimming

20 km of cycling

5 km of running

Place: Tartu

Pros:

+ Relatively simple bike and running course

+ Price: 20+10€

+ Location: 100 metres from my Tartu home 

+ Race briefing

+ I know the location very well

+ Opportunity to train on the actual courses prior to race

+ Starting groups in swimming if necessary

+ A medal and a diploma for everyone

+ Social events (Pasta Party, afterparty etc) prior and after race

Cons:

Very close to my half-marathon (only 4 weeks after)

– Around 200 finishers and pretty fast finish times –> HUGE chance I’ll finish last and be disappointed

– Early start: race briefing already at 9.30 AM

 


A. Le Coq TriSmile33.3

trismile33.3

Date: 2nd of August 2014

Distances:

300 m of swimming

30 km of cycling

3 km of running

Place: Pühajärve and surrounding areas, Tartumaa

Pros:

+ A good amount of time between my half-marathon (7 weeks)

+ Over 250 participants –> according to last year’s finish protocol not a huge chance I’ll finish last

+ Late start (briefing at 1 PM, start at 3 PM)

+ Race briefing

+ Starting groups in swimming

+ Lots of extras: T-shirt, welcome present, swimming cap, medal, diploma etc

+ Social events after race

+ A good reputation

Cons:

Price: 50+10€

A difficult and challenging bike course: almost 300 metres of climbing altitude

– Location: I need to drive/be driven by car

– No opportunity to train on the courses

 


 

I want my first triathlon to be pleasant and beautiful memory that I’ll remember forever. I don’t want a bad experience like my first running race was… I have no idea which event to choose and soon I’ll have to register. Any advice is VERY welcomed! 🙂