General Discussion Triathlon Talk » 1st Half Marathon Rss Feed  
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2008-08-31 8:36 PM

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Subject: 1st Half Marathon
Going to do the Harrisburg (PA) Half Marathon next Sunday, Sept. 7th. It's a level, paved course. My goal is to do this in as close to 2 hours or less as possible.

Two questions...

1). What are some times any of you other BTers have had for half marathons. Curious to see how my goal compares to other real life times, and,

2). How should I approach my training for these six days prior to the event?

Thanks for your input.


2008-08-31 8:58 PM
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Subject: RE: 1st Half Marathon

nxm165 - 2008-08-31 9:36 PM

1). What are some times any of you other BTers have had for half marathons. Curious to see how my goal compares to other real life times,

I think you'll see a very wide range of times, here, just as in real life.  I'm guessing that there are folks here who run < 1:15 (my best, back in the day, before surgery, blah, blah, blah, was 1:16), and others who would be thrilled with your 2:00 goal. 

 

2). How should I approach my training for these six days prior to the event? Thanks for your input.

I assume you mean your tapering -- your training should be pretty much over by now!  You aren't going to make any great gains in the week before the race anyway.

If you are on a decent plan, then just follow it.  Otherwise, design a taper for yourself; but the answer to 'what constitutes a taper' depends on your current volume -- I don't see any logs, so I don't know what that is.  But the generic answer to your question is:  taper.

2008-08-31 9:32 PM
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Subject: RE: 1st Half Marathon

I ran a 1:48 in my first 1/2 which was also my first race in 2 years, I followed my training program (Hal Higdons) and followed the taper. For running the actual race, I computed my projected  pace from what my comfortable long run speeds were.

http://www.marathonguide.com/fitnesscalcs/PaceBandCreator.cfm

check out the link above, I created a pace bracelet at a time that I wanted to run, and kept my mile splits under the pace chart and ran what I wanted to run. For me it kept me from thinking too much about time and weather I was on time or behind and let me concentrate on my form and staying relaxed.

Also as an aside, be careful with the water stops, typically they are every 2-3 miles if you hit each one you will add a ton of time to you overall race. Depending on your fitness maybe 1-2 stops along the race, otherwise steer clear, unless you need it then by all means stop....pinch the cup while running/drinking, its the only way to drink on the run w/o choking.

2008-09-01 6:43 AM
in reply to: #1640888

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Subject: RE: 1st Half Marathon

I did my first and only half this past May in 1:43.  I also did that without any structured training so my taper was more along the lines of 'running enough to feel loose but not enough to be sore plus some extra days off' the week before the race.  I also found that staying hydrated the week leading up to the race was more critical than with tri's because there's no bike leg to drink and I have a hard time drinking while running.

Good Luck!

2008-09-01 6:44 AM
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Subject: RE: 1st Half Marathon

Looking at your running, you've got about as much of a base over the last two months as I have put in.  I just ran a half on Saturday and finished in 2:09.  However, I'm in the desert and it was already 90 degrees by race time...and got hotter as we went.

I think you could break 2 hours fairly easily without too much strain on the body.  As for training, like someone else said, do a little bit of a taper.  Cut back on the intensity and volume of your runs just a bit and perhaps add a little more biking and swimming.

2008-09-01 10:36 AM
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Subject: RE: 1st Half Marathon
Sounds like a plan. My thanks to all who responded.


2008-09-01 10:40 AM
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Subject: RE: 1st Half Marathon
i ran my first half mary last weekend. with only 2 weeks of training time for it. with a time of 1:44. just pace yourself and have fun. and be sure to drink at everystation. even if its only one swallow. it helps. good luck. have fun, be safe.
2008-09-01 1:11 PM
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Subject: RE: 1st Half Marathon

The only suggestion I can give you since I don't know you is: whatever your final time goal is, split it in 2 and force yourself to be at mid point ABOVE the split. So if your goal is 2h00, you should be ABOVE 1h00' at 10.55km mark, let's say in between 10 and 11 km.

You will see that you will start and you will feel great in the first few km (as usual) and you will be much below 1h00 at mid point. You will pay that with interests...even in the following days.

But if you will negative split, you will have a great feeling at the end and recovery process will be very short.

Let us know how will go...

2008-09-01 3:52 PM
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Subject: RE: 1st Half Marathon

 If you have raced recently you can get a pretty good idea.  Since the only race recorded on your page is a duathlon I'll do the best I can with that.  From the 15:18 you did on the front end of your duathlon, you have sufficient speed to run one in 1:54 (it is likely faster than that unless you ran the first 2 miles all out).   Your logs show that you are getting in runs in the 11 mile range etc.  You likely have sufficient endurance to hold that 1:54.  I do agree with the conservative approach and negative splitting.  The race really begins at about the 15k mark so be prepared for that mentally because miles 9-11 are the zone where many fall off.  Just mentally know it will be tough then and be prepared to work, you'll be fine.

 You will not do anything that will help your race at this point other than allow your legs to be prepared.  Most recommend low mileage with some low volume pace work at race pace.  I usually will run maybe 2 miles easy a day before, two days before nothing, three days before some easy running maybe 4 miles or so, 5 days out maybe 3 x a mile at or about race pace.

Personally the half that I do is in the spring and my family has a busy spring that keeps me from being very fit so I am never ready.  Usually I  am in the 1:27ish range however I have run marathons where my splits have been that fast so if I really trained for one I would be in the low 1:22-1:23ish. 

Best wishes and have fun, I highly recommend the negative split approach. 

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