1:30 (ish) Half Marathon??

Advice needed please ...

I'm scheduled to run my first half marathon at the end of November. At the moment I'm on course to run around 1:38 (based on my current training times) -  with a good training plan (and staying injury/illness free!!) could I run close to 1:30 by the time of my race or is that wishful thinking?!

I currently run 5 times pw and cover 30-35 miles pw on average (mixed up between speedwork, hills, shorter runs (5-6 miles) and longer runs (10-13 miles))

If anyone can offer advice/training suggestions/similar experiences it would be greatly appreciated!

Charlotte - Could you give an example of a typical weeks training? Maybe last week?

Can you comfortably run sub 7 min miles?

Typical training for me is 3 x 5/6 mile runs pw (1 steady, 1 incorporating speedwork (200-800m flat out with jog recovery and 1 with 3miles @ threshold with 1-1/12 mile warm up & cool down)) plus 1 long run (10/12 miles) and a 3 miler.

Currently my mile times are approx as follows:

3 miles - 6 3/4 min miles

5 miles - 7 min miles

10k - just over 7 min miles

10 miles +   7 1/2 min miles

It sounds very doable Charlotte, I train slower than that but can run under 1.30.

I guess the next question is how long have you been running?

The times above are my at the upper end of my threshold mins per mile - most of my training is at a slower pace.

I ran as a teenager (back in the 90's - ) then stopped competing and just went for the occasional run and mainly kept fit in the gym through my 20's. I started running at the gym regularly (3/4 times pw) last October and have started properly again since Feb/March this year.

Increase your longer runs up to half your weekly milage but do this only once a month.

Do some 5k parkrun races at least one a month.

Every two weeks do some speed track work and/or tempo runs/ tempo intervals.

Hill work can be incorporated into the parkruns if you can find a suitable course.

I did this kind of training and on less than 35 miles a week did last years GNR in 1:31. Didnt even feel the hills people speak of and flew the first 10k in 42 minutes.

Miles 8-11 were tough pace wise but because I had done long runs of 13+miles I knew I could run it so I excepted the flutulations in pace and come mile 11 just went for it and put the hammer down. Thats what parkruns give you and often what gets a pb for me.

So, more  miles, threshold work, dedicated track work.

Also if you can safely lose any weight, and I emphasise safely, think of ways you can. It does make you faster if all else is equal. Right now I am just under 70kg my HM was done at 75kg and I know I am faster and stronger now.

Fortune favours the brave

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

Listen to KK.

Though she does go on about non-running stuff too often she can run rather well;)

(I am now off to hide)

Thanks for the advice guys - much appreciated

Re the weight loss I'm currently 9 stone (5'8") and my body fat is around 16-17% (I'm 31) is this OK or do I have scope to drop a pound or two?

I'm doing a 10k towards the end of August so I will let you know how I got on and may want to pick your brains (again) about where I go from there towards my 1/2 marathon!

best luck, let us know how get on

I would say you have the potential to go sub-90.  If your local parkrun is flat then use it for tempo runs, trying to get used to running at your target half marathon pace (6.50m/m).  It would also be useful to do some parkruns at about 10k pace (6.30m/m at a guess) and then a flat-out 5k (as fast as you can!).  Although conversions from 5k to HM do depend a lot on your endurance, it would give you a guide as to your fitness and help you select a target, as will the 10k at the end of August.

I make your BMI 19 so it is unlikely you have a huge amount of excess weight and I doubt it would be sensible to try and lose any - you'll probably end up getting ill or injured as a result.

Best of luck!

1:15?

That gives you a Marathon time of around 2:38-2:40

Is that correct really ?

Those of you who run 1:30 and below what kind of mileage do you do per week when training for a HM?

Also pardon my ignorance but what is a 'Championship Time' please?

Charlotte Rose 2 wrote (see)

Those of you who run 1:30 and below what kind of mileage do you do per week when training for a HM?

Also pardon my ignorance but what is a 'Championship Time' please?

 

 

If you belong to a UKA running club and get a certified sub 1.30, you get into the London marathon on a special start that usually starts before the main start behind the elite women. Plus you get extra toilets and a really cool low mara number. It's the reason I joined a running club, to claim my place. Worth it

Stephen E Forde wrote (see)

Listen to KK.

Though she does go on about non-running stuff too often she can run rather well;)

(I am now off to hide)

oooh - sounds pretty cool!!

I don't belong to a club at the moment although I have been thinking about finding one in my area (Norwich) - have you noticed a significant improvement to your running since joing a club or not?

Charlotte Rose 2 wrote (see)

oooh - sounds pretty cool!!

I don't belong to a club at the moment although I have been thinking about finding one in my area (Norwich) - have you noticed a significant improvement to your running since joing a club or not?

No, I train on my own and just race for the club, but I'm an established runner. If your club does proper track sessions etc, it could be of benefit. Join an established one that stretches its faster runners.

Stephen,

See below -

http://www.virginlondonmarathon.com/marathon-centre/enter-virgin-london-marathon/championship-entries/

I have a mere GFA marathon time, it is much harder to get a Championship time.