• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Race Pace Jess

Header Right

  • Home
  • About
    • Disclosure
  • Running Tips
  • Run Coaching
    • Race Pace Personal Records
  • Other Services
    • Press

Mar 22, 2013
Running Tips

Should You Race Mid -Training Season?

Racing in the middle of a training schedule can make or break your race season.

There’s a time to race and there’s a time to run. The line between the two can feel blurred especially when everyone around you seems to be racing and setting new PRs while it’s been months since you’ve raced.

Here are five things to take in account before deciding if you should “race” or “just run” a race in the middle of your training schedule:

1. If you are scheduled to do a long run the weekend of your race and you know you can hold back during a race and not get caught up in race day excitement then go for it. If you can’t hold back and run at your prescribed pace for your long run then skip the race.

2. If you’re bored with your  long runs, are having trouble fueling on your own and/or need extra motivation, registering for a race as part of a long run can be the jolt you need to get back into the swing of things.

Philly 1/2 Marathon
Setting a half marathon PR has it’s ups and downs when in the middle of a marathon training schedule.

3. If you haven’t ran a race since your last “big race” and you need to practice getting ready for race day. This can be a great way to rehearse everything from fueling, clothing, and getting up early to actually running at your goal race pace (though running at goal pace should only be done if the race distance is significantly shorter than the distance you are training for and it’s what your schedule calls for).

4. After months of not racing, holding back during long runs and pushing during speedwork you may not have a good idea of where your fitness is and what your goal time should be for your goal race. Racing during your training schedule can be a great way to set a time goal and to assess what things are going well for you and where you can improve.

5. Look at your overall training schedule. If racing a half marathon in the middle of your marathon training schedule leaves you so sore that you miss the following week’s key workouts then don’t race it. On the flip side, if you have a recovery week built in the week after the half marathon or know you recovery quickly from hard race efforts, then go for it.

 

PS I’m working on a BIG opportunity for my Race Pace Wellness Newsletter Subscribers for next month. If you’re not on the list sign-up here so you don’t miss out!

 

Share
Pin
Tweet
0 Shares

6 Comments

Don’t miss out

Join 600 other Runners just like you!

« Girls on the Run 4th Annual Celebration and Silent Auction
Practice Makes Perfect: Train at Race Pace »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Beth @RxBethOnTheRun says

    March 22, 2013 at 11:00 am

    I love this blog post and it couldn’t have come at a better time, since I’m trying to decide whether or not to run 13.1 as a training run tomorrow! Great advice, as always! And I LOVE that picture of the three of you from Philly!

    Reply
  2. Jen Correa @ Mom's Gotta Run says

    March 22, 2013 at 11:10 am

    This all sounds familiar to me. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Michele @ Nycrunningmama says

    March 22, 2013 at 11:50 am

    I agree 100%. I’ve seen so many runners get caught up in racing a TON during their training cycle…it seems to limit what they can really accomplish with training if they are constantly tapering and recovering. I try to limit myself to a few races…I like doing a half marathon in the middle b/c it gives me a break for a week or so (I prefer longer training plans). I’m doing a 10k in a couple of weeks on what what have been a cut-back long run week!

    Reply
  4. Shannon @ Mon Amour says

    March 22, 2013 at 12:49 pm

    I like doing 1 or 2 races for time during training and then maybe a fun trail race here or there just to switch things up/for fun. I just signed up for a 10 miler a few weeks before my half this spring that I’m going to use to practice everything for my half so I have time to make any changes. Racing also keeps me really motivated for my big race

    Reply
  5. Mo says

    April 8, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    I too like to “practice race” before a big race. I like to practice enough and condition myself enough that their are no surprises on race day.

    Reply
  6. Aimee says

    April 18, 2013 at 8:51 am

    I’m getting ready for the Long Island run. I have to say my heart goes out to all the victims and their families and to everyone in Boston. This attach was a horrible, and cowardly action.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Primary Sidebar

I'm Jess Underhill, a certified run coach and freelance fitness writer. I experienced my first runner’s high when I was 13 and it had a profound impact on how I saw myself and this world. My mission in life is to help people chase down their personal bests and crush their goals so that they too, can change their perceptions. Read More…

Let’s Connect

Join Race Pace Run Club

Subscribe to get tips and connect with runners just like you!

Follow on Instagram

Categories

Become a smarter runner and achieve goals that set your heart on fire

  • Home
  • About
  • Running Tips
  • Run Coaching
  • Other Services

Copyright © 2025 · Cultivate Theme theme by Restored 316