Half marathons are tricky (for me). It’s a distance that is long enough to test endurance, but short enough to cause trouble. You can easily sprint out of the gates at a faster than comfortable pace and find yourself at mile 10 “gassed” and done.
But that’s the beauty of it.
It’s just long enough that running a 10k speed will leave you empty and running a marathon pace will leave too much in the tank. It’s walking that fine line of pushing your endurance with a touch of speed (and some brass to run aggressive).
This weekend, I’ll be running the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in Pasadena. My last half marathon was in April of 2012 and I set a PR dressed as a bunny. Since I won’t be rocking ears this weekend it leads me to my next question:
How fast will I go?
My half PR is 1:50 on a hilly San Francisco course. Pasadena is not flat, but (based on the elevation chart) it looks manageable to hit a new PR. 1:45 would be a good goal. That would be running 10 miles 30 seconds faster. Seems logical.
Pacer?
I’m going to run with a pacer for the first time. I usually use them as a self-checking gauge to see how I’m doing on race day. I’ll start between two of them with my first goal leading and my back-up following. Keep the first one in sight and hope you don’t get passed by Plan B. For this event, I’ll take advantage of the 1:45 pace group allowing me to keep my “speedy temptations” reeled in.
I’ll be utilizing the course bands provided by RNR and will run without ear buds. This will also allow me to engage in conversations with the pace group and listen to any advice or instructions the pace leader has.
1:45, here we come.
I’ll be taking a ton of photos and sharing them over the weekend. Use the official hash #RnRPAS (on Twitter and Instagram) to follow along with all the excitement from fellow myself and fellow runners.
What do you think about my race goal?
1:45 is an 8 min. pace.
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Sounds doable to me (well for you, not me). ;) I love the distance of a 1/2 marathon. I’ve been itching to run another one and need to just pick one! Good luck to you!
Go for a flat race… makes the PR more doable. The 1/2 is a great distance.
Good luck!! Totally have faith that you will get your shiny new PR but wouldn’t it be so much better to earn the PR while wearing bunny ears??? Have fun
haha… i can’t make the bunny ears “a thing.” It was Easter Sunday, that’s why I was wearing the ears. President’s Day weekend… abe lincoln hat?
I think your goal is attainable for you – for me, not so much since I have never trained for a marathon. Go go go!
Thanks… running is always fun, training or not.
eeeee! so excited for you! have a great race!
Thanks Greeeeeeen Bean.
You can soooo do this!! I love running with/near pacers because it definitely helps to reign me in in the beginning, and also forces me to keep up my pace mid-way through when I start to get tired. Have a great one and I’m looking forward to hearing about your new PR!
Thanks… the first 3-5 miles is always the point where you go out too quickly… hoping the pacer helps keep it together.
I personally never set race goals, but I know you like the numbers game. I have no doubt in my mind that you’ve got this.
I’m all about the numbers B-bomb! It’s what keeps my going forward. Thanks.
you so got this! pacers are the best and the worst, i mean you want to punch them by trying to keep up with them, but they work.
If i punch my pacer, do I get to say “Cotter said I could” ?
Dude, easy.
hey. Don’t steal my thunder. We can’t go around telling people it’s easy. What you meant to say was “dang, that sounds hard. it’s gonna be super challenging and you should get a million dollars when you accomplish that goal.” Ya, say that!
Personally, I think you’ve got a 1:45 and better in you! Good luck this weekend!!
Thanks… this will be a good test for me, but I have some longer races coming up. A balance of speed and endurance, I guess.
I think you’ve got it!!!!!!! Wear a purple polo??
ha! Maybe the purple polo is my secret weapon.
You’ve got it!!! Can’t wait to see the results!
Thanks… it will be an Southern CA warm up for Disney.
You got it!!! Will be cheering you on from Canada :)
I expect FU Faces and Teddy hugs to be happening ALL DAY!
Sounds like a reasonable goal, and I like your idea of hanging out between the two pacers. More importantly, though, it’s so good to hear someone praise the difficulty of a half-marathon … gives those of us who top out at 13.1 miles some bragging rights! Good luck.
The 13.1 is my favorite distance. It is a respected distance and you should always be proud of ANY run. Especially if you have a medal to prove it.
You’ve got this. I’ve never used a pacer, I can’t wait to hear what you think of using one.
Hopefully the pacer is willing to tie a rope to me and drag me across the finish line… that still counts, right?
You’ve put in tons of miles since that bunny ear race – I think your goal sounds do-able. And now that you’ve shared it, you’ll have the extra “peer-pressure” motivation to really push it. Good luck and can’t wait to hear how it went!
Part of why I love throwing my goals out there. I can’t let all my veggie friends down!
You should go ahead and start a draft for the post about your new PR buddy! ;)
Have fun and enjoy the bands on course!
“I did it. I saw my watch say 1:43 and could see the finish line… it was an all out sprint to glory.” Will that work?
I’d love for you to PR in my scenic new city (but my heart still remains in Bklyn, NY). I understand that the course is hilly but given you are from San Fran, it should be no problem for you.
Hope we do get to meet!
I hope so as well. The hills are the wild card… they can easily eat up valuable minutes.
You got 1:45 in the bag. Kick ass.
I have to carry a bag, too? Ugh. Fine!
You got this! Go get that 1:45!
I’m gonna chase it down!
I think this is totally doable and you have a good plan. Best of luck!
Thanks…
Based on your progress the last few months, I think a 1:45 is well within your reach.
I’ve never used a pacer group, only because I’ve often seen them start too fast (on or faster than pace) which doesn’t necessarily work for me, as I like the first mile a bit slower, but I can’t wait to hear all about it!
i hope that doesn’t happen… i’m relying on them to keep me calm the first few miles.
YOU CAN DO IT!!! Can’t wait to hear about your PR ;)
Thanks virtual twin.
Good luck this weekend! I just did RnR St. Pete, and I loved it once again. Sounds like you’ve got a good plan going, and I love the way you explain the conundrum of the half marathon as far as speed and pacing are concerned! I look forward to hearing how you do!
Thanks… hop on a flight, let’s make it back-to-back weekends of rock ‘n’ for you.
I believe in you Pavey!! PR for Happy Hearts everywhere!!! ( no pressure or anything…) haha But seriously it sounds do-able and I think with all your running this year you can bang our that PR!
oh… i’m gonna have to win this thing if I’m doing it for happy hearts.