Advice please

[limberlou]

Hi everyone - having said for ages “10k will do me - no intention of going any further”......I’ve now started sneaking a bit further and after hitting 10 miles last week ( and just under the previous week) I am now thinking maybeeee????

So.... what sort d times do I need to be aiming for? I’ve read that the median time for women is 2:21, which is faster than my 10 miles so realistically my HM is gonna be about 2:40-2:45 at the mo. And everyone would have gone home by then so what do you guys aim for please? And I’m talking to the older slower ladies now 😁

Or shall I just carry on plodding?

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

2:40 is still very respectable! Do what feels good for you. Don't focus on times. 👍🏻😉

It also very much depends on the course, a tricky trail course can take me 2:45 easy.

Have a look a what event you fancy and look at last year's times to get a realistic idea. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[Hidden]

My predicted half marathon time at present is 2.59, but I will be very surprised if I manage it that fast - though, who knows, I’ve got weeks of training still to go. Your predicted pace is fine, you won’t be last in by any means. You have to remember that, unless there is a strict cut off time, many people walk the entire course, or walk a lot of it. For Oxford half, which I’m doing, they tell you that if you’re doing it at party speed (ie hungover and mucking about as you go) to use the pavements as they are opening the roads again after 3 hours- and that’s a Virgin Sports organised event - so most races are pretty lenient about time. When I did Blenheim 10k it took me 83 minutes, and loads of people came in behind me.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Keep on doing what you're doing! Especially for your first half - the goal is to finish, still standing Your guestimate of times will be well within the cut-off time for pretty much all HMs I would think - I haven't seen any which are less than three hours and many are longer than that. Absolutely no worries sticking toy your pace. Good luck!

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks / I’ll keep plodding on then.

[Oldfloss Administrator]

I was predicted a first time HM for my age four days before my 69th Birthday...and based on my stats for my runs.. of 2 hrs 45... I did it in 2 hrs 54...Folk had not gone home and there were folk coming in after me...

Find a good Marathon group/plan... ( roseabi got me through... and was fantastic!_)

I was totally thrilled to finish... I think there were places I could have gone faster, but I wanted to do it, finish it and enjoy it... and I managed all three...)

Having something in the tank for the last three miles as, every one tells you, is essential and that is where, for me anyway, slow and steady wins every time...

You train properly and you will do it xx

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks il look at roseabis plan

[Becky1606 Half Marathon]

I’m running the Ealing half in September and my predicted finish time is 2h45 as well, although tbh I’ll just be relieved if I finish it...

[Windoze Half Marathon]

Take it from me...dont go flat out for the first 17k in the heat , especially if its "undulating" 🤣🤣🤕🤕😳😳

Generally they advertise the cut off times but 3hrs-3:30 be fine for most.

If your unsure email the event organisers.

Even if you only do one HM I highly recommend it! 😎

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to Windoze]

Daft thing is I’ve not even done a 5 or 10k race yet. Not sure about running with other people . 🤣🤣

[Windoze Half Marathon in reply to limberlou]

Start with a park run. Get used to the feeling 😎

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to Windoze]

I’ve done one park run and I wasn’t keen. Too much of a huddle at the beginning and bit demotivated that most had cleared off by the time I finished. I did it in 39 mins , bit slower than usual and there were still others behind me but the speediest just ran and went.