The drawback of racing a half marathon is, because of its length, you're going to need some recovery time afterward. Usually one to three days of reduced training will work.
More: How to Recover After a Half Marathon
But if you plan to race a half before the full, you're likely a more experienced runner. The additional mileage and longer workouts will have a protective effect on you, and allow you to recover more quickly.
If you do choose to race a half marathon as your marathon tune-up race, follow these guidelines:
- Schedule them four to six weeks before your marathon to allow sufficient recovery
- Don't run more than one half during a marathon training cycle
- Prioritize recovery after the race: extra sleep, an ice bath (or two), and some easy cross-training like pool running will help get you back to marathon training as soon as possible
- Reduce the volume and intensity of the next one to three runs in your training plan, then pick up where you left off
When you're able to schedule a half marathon before the marathon, your finishing time may be surprising! Marathon workouts get you in incredible shape and your half could be an opportunity to run a new personal best.
More: How to Make the Most of Your Marathon Speed Workouts
