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Run/Walk/Run LHR
What is race pace...if you haven't ran a race before?
I am training for a HM several months away. I was just assuming my Race Pace would be basically about the same as my training pace. I have no idea what time I will finish in, but I assume it's going to be quite close to whatever my long run training pace is when the time comes.
Is that just how it works for first-timers? You just run the race at training pace ?
Run Stupider
That's one option, and a pretty safe one -- very strong chance you'll feel good the entire way, and feel fine afterward.
Another option is to go out faster and try to go faster the whole way. This is a bit riskier - you might wind up feeling tired and walking, or you might get sick to your stomach. Or you might make it to the end with a faster time.
Another option is to go out comfortably at your training pace, but then when you have about 3 miles to go, start going faster and push to the end -- this isn't so risky, but should be exciting.
So it's a trade-off.
I'd like to point out that the more conservative plan (go out comfortably) leaves you more room to improve your time the next time you do this distance
Yes, I don't want a time I can never PR again . Fortunately for me, it's not really a fear I have!
Francis - I think this is an excellent question.
If you havent run many races, then its kind of hard to know what your race pace is compared to your training pace. Preferably your race pace ought to be a little faster.. I think the best way to predict your race pace is to run some shorter races during your training process and push them 'just a little'... Since you are training toward a target HALF marathon, you could probably get an idea about your HALF Marathon race pace by running some 5 mile races or 10K's.
Also, you can run some shorter races and the plug your times into a pace calculator (RA has one, McMillian or runboyou and there others)...this gives you an 'idea' of what you might be able to do in a longer race, based on a shorter race that you have already completed...(they are fairly accurate in that they give you an idea).
And then you can look at it from another perspective -- it doesnt really matter if you wnat to just go out and run the race and enjoy it....then you will know and can train to run it faster the next year......
I think you will find in most races you will probably run a little faster then your training runs...the excitement and crowd and all the other runners tend to pull you along...
Happy Easter
I like this idea for someone running their first half. There's less risk, but you still get some racing experience by pushing it at the end after you have been on your feet for a while.
A common mistake that first timers make is going out too fast. Between the adrenaline and all of the other runners pulling you along it's easy to do. Try to make those first few miles feel as ridiculously easy as you can. Let the rabbits go. You'll catch a bunch of them later on in the race.
Good luck.
You'll kind of know your race pace by mile 1. I am betting you'll find yourself to be atleast a min/mile faster than your faster training pace if you hold back and do not go with the rabbits.
The race day magic cannot be explained, but the race day excitement, not holding back for a training run the next day, competitiveness etc all contibute to this.
monkey groovy
And then add 6 minutes to your 10k predicted time, and 15 minutes to your HM predicted time, to get a more realistic idea of what you can run in those races.
lonely planet boy
Keep training! Like you said, your goal is still months away. Keep the HM on your calendar, and in your mind each training run.
Even if you don't spend extra money and energy on other races, you'll likely be a much more experienced runner in a few months, and you'll have a better idea of what your 13.1 race pace could be.
Till then, I wouldn't worry too much about speed. Keep enjoying the journey!
Keep training
Thank you!
Yes, I've kind of got the idea that the Goal Race HM will end up being more or less training pace, like just the "next long run" on my training schedule.
I just keep reading things that say your week's LongRun should be X slower than Race Pace, etc.
So far I run all one pace.
It's pretty hard to run any more more slowly than I already do.
Goal: sub 16:00 3 mile.
