2 weeks to go to my 1st HM

[Dave58]

In 2 weeks it's my 1st Half so its getting real now. My training has gone ok so far. The furthest I've run is 15k and I'm aiming to do 18k tomorrow. My aim is obviously to finish the race first and foremost but I'd be lying if I didn't have a target time that I'd like to achieve. So I'm wondering what you all think is a realistic. My PB for 5k is 23.10 and for 10k is 53.58. I did the 15k in 1.21.16 so I've put myself in the pen for a 2hr 15 mins target. Its impossible to predict how I'm going to do as it's my 1st HM but do you think 2.15 is realistic?

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Pop your times into a prediction chart..that is what I did

E,g.

runningahead.com/tools/calc...

[Dave58 Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks for that Oldfloss. I did what you said and put a couple of different times and distances in to get an aver prediction. It looks like somewhere around 2:10 is a target to aim for. I'd be happy with that to say the least!

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Dave58]

Brilliant..really great...I think you will do really well.. what kind of course is it...?

I am slow and steady ( and old) and my time was predicted as 2.45... I did it in 2.54.. I was blooming thrilled and as roseabi said to me.. just enjoy... take it steady so you have some left in the tank for the last miles..and be prepared that anything can happen on the day... we had a headwind and the leg out was a slow but steady gentle uphill... coming back was great though

[Dave58 Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

The course is in Swansea on the coast and it's mainly flat and fast and incorporating the route of my local Parkrun which I've done 20 times. I'm really looking forward to it. Not nervous yet but I know I will be on the day. Thanks for the encouragment

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Dave58]

I was nervous the day before..but getting there and thinking what folk here had said and of the friends supporting me on the other forums.. I was totally calm....I just embraced every single moment..You will love it I am sure

[Dave58 Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

My main concern is that I tend to go too fast at the start of all my runs. I've recently bought a Garmin forerunner 30 watch to try to get my pace right. It's so difficult to judge because I've not done a HM before. I suppose the priority should be to enjoy it and forget about times but I am a naturally competitive type so its hard

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Dave58]

I had a runner with me who has run many before, he kept me in check... I would I think have speeded up a bit in the middle session but I bowed to his judgement and I wanted to finish in style..it helped that there was a headwind and an incline too..

Maybe tuck yourself further back in your group.. to slow you down a bit

I just wanted to run it to see if I could... I did it a few days before I was 69 And at the last minute I opened a JustGiving Page for British Heart foundation and raised £150 too...so I was determined to reach that finish line

[Dave58 Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Oh that's fantastic. Well done you. They say age is just a number etc. I'm 58 and fairly fit due to all the cycling I've done but I've only returned to running since last October. Last ran regularly in my 20s. Really enjoying it

[Dave58 Half Marathon in reply to Dave58]

Update. Did 18k run this morning in 1:41:43. Chuffed with that although it was tough

[Tasha99 Marathon]

Well my HM was 2:17 and my 5k is just sub 28 and 10k just sub 58. I’ve done a lot more longer distances than you but you certainly have the edge with speed! I think you could get nearer 2 hours 👍🏽

[Dave58 Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

Yeah it all looks like its pointing to about 2:10 or better is a realistic target. It's just the unknown as it's my 1st HM

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Dave58]

Good luck!

[Dave58 Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

I'll let you know how my 18k run goes tomorrow

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Dave58]

Just make sure you fuel well 👌🏽

[Dave58 Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

Did 18k this morning in 1:41:43

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Dave58]

Well done! Defo sub 2 hour 👍🏽

[Couchpotato2 Marathon]

Sounds great Dave, you are going to have a great race!

[Dave58 Half Marathon in reply to Couchpotato2]

I hope so. It's just the fact that it's a leap into the unknown which is scaring me

[Couchpotato2 Marathon in reply to Dave58]

that's totally normal but you are training for it and will be ready. When it's a distance I know I can walk I feel reassured (as a back up worst case). It's going to be great, i'm sure of it

[Dave58 Half Marathon in reply to Couchpotato2]

Thanks for the encouraging words. I'll report back tomorrow after I attempt a 18k run in the morning

[Couchpotato2 Marathon in reply to Dave58]

you know what to do.... Slow and steady wins the race

[Dave58 Half Marathon in reply to Couchpotato2]

Great advice.

[Couchpotato2 Marathon in reply to Dave58]

I'm expecting you to win btw

[Dave58 Half Marathon in reply to Couchpotato2]

No pressure then lol

[Couchpotato2 Marathon in reply to Dave58]

none. haha.

[Dave58 Half Marathon in reply to Couchpotato2]

Did 18k this morning in 1:41:43 😊

[Couchpotato2 Marathon in reply to Dave58]

Wow well done, that is fantastic!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Sounds very achievable! You can do it!

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon]

Yes totally, you can aim for 2.15. There might even be a pacer to tuck in with? From reading your responses you do what we all do and get carried away by running with others at the start! It works well for shorter runs in some ways, giving you a boost but I started way above my natural pace on my 2nd half marathon and by 8 miles in I was running out of steam! My first half was at a local route and I broke it down into 7k chunks, which helped me loads, as well visualising the end of that section. It is a demanding distance so you need to hold something back to keep going. I started quicker on my first half for the first 3k then slowed to a natural pace. I slowed down on the hillier bits but made up my pace on the flat and found that I had something left for the final 2k. But it is a test of mental strength as much as physical and adapting to whatever the day throws at you! I fell over in the first mile of my 2nd half marathon 🙈🤣 so anything can happen. But you have trained, you have the pace and it's good to aim high. Trust you. Enjoy it. 😊

[Dave58 Half Marathon in reply to Clairecandothis]

Oh thanks for your fantastic insights from your experience and your words of encouragement. I did 18k this morning in 1:41:43 so that would be on target to get comfortably inside 2:15. I wish I could just relax and just run and enjoy it without being too concerned about the time but it's my natural instinct.

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Dave58]

Wow well done on that pace and if you had the rain we did! We are all competative, mostly with ourselves lol. I'm training for my first Marathon in October and I want to do it in unrealistic times! On the day I'm sure I will just be happy to finish! 🤣

But do enjoy your run. The atmosphere will carry you forward and you are well on track for the time you want!

[Dave58 Half Marathon in reply to Clairecandothis]

It was dry and quite warm this morning, no rain here for a change! Good luck with your Marathon training

[Sqkr Half Marathon]

You run at about the same speed as me, and my half distance is just under 2 hours so it's not at all unreasonable. That said, it's your first one so play it by ear (or foot?) and enjoy it. Targets can come later! 😊

Ps. lnitially misread your post, and thought said 'my aim is to finish the race first' and I was all 'coooooool! There's some excellent ambition! A podium finish!' so was a bit disappointed on the reread.

[Dave58 Half Marathon in reply to Sqkr]

Haha not a chance in hell of finishing 1st unless they let my use my road bike! Did 18k this morning in 1:41:43 so delighted with that. If I could keep that pace up I'd be in with a chance of sub 2hrs which would be awesome. I'd be happy with sub 2:15 though

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

As others have said it is a realistic target. I understand why people say just focus on getting round for your first HM, but it is normal to have expectations. I did.

You know what you have been doing in training. You have the pace, it is just a question as to whether you have the stamina to sustain this over a HM. However, given your 15k times, even if you have a slower last 5k you should be within your target time.

[Dave58 Half Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

Good point. I think its human nature to set targets. I did my 1st 18k run this morning in 1:41:43 so delighted with that. Just need to keep that pace up for another 3.1k!!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Hi Dave, when I trained for my half, I ran it twice in training - race day was my best time (just under 2hrs 11🙂). Looking at your times (you are a lot faster than me), I'm going to go out there and say you can go sub 2hrs! (no pressure though!😉)

That said, who knows what the weather conditions will be like, your fitness on the day etc etc. Go out there, enjoy and savour the experience - it is a fab acheivement completing a HM, whatever the time!😀