The half marathon is one of my favorite distances. It’s long enough that it can push your limits and short enough that you can test your speed…. it’s kind of the best of both worlds. Recovery time (in comparison to a full) is much easier as well.
I’ve done four half marathons this year so far, but only one of them was for time. The remaining three were simply for fun or used as a training run with no time goal in mind. My fastest half marathon was earlier this year in Pasadena with a finish time of 1:44 or a 7:59 pace (read the recap here). My next half marathon is in a couple of weeks at the San Jose Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon. I’m extremely familiar with this course having run it 5 years in a row between 2007-2011. The course is mostly flat, with the highest and lowest points on the course being only 50 feet in difference.
My goal.
I would love to come in anywhere between 1:30 and 1:39. That is a big gap, but really, I’m happy with anything where the first two numbers are a 1 and a 3. Realistically, 1:35 would be AMAZING, but I don’t think I have enough speed work in recent months to pull that one off. Let’s take a look at what I would have to average for a few finish times:
7:00 avg. = 1:31:46
7:10 avg. = 1:33:57
7:20 avg. = 1:36:08
7:30 avg. = 1:38:19
Those are the magic paces. When I am running “fast” my pace usually falls between 7 and 7:30 for 5 or so miles. I feel pretty winded at that point, but am able to have some pretty good stretches mixed in there. I have a couple of weeks to allow my body to recover from some longer distance runs I have done recently and this week, I’ll be looking to get a couple of my runs in around the 7:30 pace just to remind my legs what I will be asking of them. Nothing serious, but I’ll mix in a fast mile during an easy run. Just a little refresher, ya know?
I’m actually pretty excited about this race. Familiar course, fun atmosphere and a tough goal. I’ll share more specifics on my race day plan as it gets closer. I feel like I am entering uncharted territory where “fast” runners live. I’ve always considered myself to more of an endurance runner rather than a speedy one.
>> TWEET UP planned at the RnRSJ Expo on Sat. at noon (details here).
>> If you’d like to run the race, click here for a coupon.
Do you have any races coming up with time goals?
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Good luck! I’m hoping for a PR in my next half marathon and just looking at the paces I have to hit makes me think “Dang! That’s fast!”
I recently PRd in a half with 1:44 and I am also aiming for a 1:3x for my next half! I don’t know when that’ll be, yet. Maybe the spring.
the other 3 half marathons were just for fun! haha you crack me up brian and you’re awesome!
You’ve got this buddy!
You’ve definitely got a 1:3x in you… excited to hear how it goes!
Can’t wait to actually do a race with you one of these days. I’ll be eating your dust, but that’s ok I’ll just tell myself I have to run fast enough to get to the finish before you leave :)
I haven’t ever broken my goal below 1:45 paces down like that, I like it!! I can’t wait to finish this marathon training so I can really focus on my half times!
GOOD LUCK!!!
Good luck! You’ve got this!!!
Good luck!!! You can hit those paces!!!
Start out conservatively and then see how you’re feeling around mile 3, at which point you start making it uncomfortable for yourself. You’ll get it!
You can do this! Good luck!
You totally have this! Mileage, fitness, speed? Check, check, check. Will be cheering you on – but from a ways behind (with a much slower pace)…excited for the meetup; see you there!
You can totally crush that goal time! San Jose is a great course for PR’ing. You’ve got this!
I’m running the Half Moon Bay Marathon on Sunday and hoping to finish in 3:49:XX. That’ll be 11 minutes faster than the marathon I ran in June. Awww! I’m hoping 12 weeks of good training can help me reach that goal.
When I signed up for RnR SJ, I wasn’t injured and stilly flying high from my RnR SF PR. Now with marathon training and a 17 miler planned for the weekend before (AAAAAH!) I don’t think a 2:00 finish will be in the cards for me. I’ll be happy to get a sub 2:20 or at least beat my time last year on the course.
I think you run pretty smart so I believe you can get that 1:3x :) You’ve got the legs, stamina and the speed in there.
I’ll be cheering you on from somewhere behind you on the course!
Looking to go about the same pace – would really be shocked and too excited to speak if I did 130 or below.
I’ll be cheering you on as you speed through your race :)
I have no races coming up although, SuperFit believes a marathon will be in my near FUture *as does my neighbor*. I’m toying with the idea although right now, I just want to run. I want to run all distances my routes will take me on (sometimes planned other times unplanned) at whatever pace I feel like running at. No pressure, no goal, just going out and feeling it out.
So, off topic…
I’m taking your birthday miles idea and I’m planning on doing birthday kilometres this coming Saturday with my friend Nookie. 29km (18 miles). I’ve never run this distance before but, I will run with the flow and see how it goes :)
I love halves for the same reason, long enough but short enough for speed. Totally on same page with that.
You can definitely get yourself to the finish line in that range- sometimes a bigger time goal range is better, less stress on such a small target. Next goal race for me is Wineglass marathon in 2 weeks, I have about a 5 minute range I am shooting for!
I have a 5K in 3 weeks, goal of sub-25; and my marathon goal is sub-4 hrs…not impossible, but quite a stretch!
You will rock it my friend.
I think a strategic 1:34:44 sounds fabulous. ;)
you can totally do it. especially knowing the course so well, i’m confident i’ll be seeing a 1:3X finish time from you in a couple weeks. but if not – all the work you’ve done isn’t discounted by a single race. :)
i have my first ten miler coming up. my reach time i’m aiming for is under 1:50, but being my first i’ll be thrilled if it’s under 2:00.
so… keep that in mind if you’re agonizing over your pace. you could be as slow as me ;)
I think you can definitely do it Pavey! I will be running with you in spirit #neverrunalone
Good luck! Sounds like you know what you need to do. Having all that experience on the course already and having really put some major distance training in i’m sure you’ll do great. It’s nice to have a big window for your goal. Heck even 139:59 would do it right?! =)
I’m a slower runner. My first half was 2:36 and it took me 5 1/2 years to get it down to 2:09. I’d LOVE to break 2 hours some day. That’s my goal.
You’ve totally got this! I am running a half this Sunday but it’s more of a training run since I’m 6 weeks out from my first full. I am hoping for somewhere between 1:50 – 1:55.