Will be running first half marathon this weekend in over a year. Actually, first run over 11 miles in nearly a year because...well...long story. I'm being incredibly wishy-washy in picking a goal for this weekend, ranging from 'just finish' to try for 1:45.  Was able to log 11 miles last weekend in 1:37, so 1:45 seems do-able on race day.  But thing is, if I pound out the distance too hard, I'll get really set back health wise as my knees and ankles can't take the beating.  Couple that with a definite lack of endurance training of any kind....and you get me sitting here late a night wondering what a good goal might be.  Public angst...sort of the runner's version of pacing the floor.

mta:  Ok, in the warm light of the new day, I've arrived at a new place.  No more worries about time -- just run it, run it hard, but just bring it home and see what happens.

Taking stock:

- A year ago, I would have shot for a 1:35 or so and I'd estimate I'm at about 60% of my running fitness from a year ago...

- 5 lbs heavier...

- a year older, and at my age...that counts...

- can't run downhill, have to use little geisha steps and tippy-toe gently

- in the past year, have only logged 4 or 5 runs longer than 10 miles

I agree with Vino...a lot of it depends on the course.  Like, if there are a lot of downhills, that can put a pounding on your knees.  So without knowing much about the course, but scanning your log...I'd say that 1:45 is very doable.  Of course, it's not worth risking injury...if you feel any pain, immediatly throttle back and just be happy to finish.  We all have goals on race day...but then as race develops we always have to change our strategy (sometimes for the good..sometimes for the not so good).

Go out and enjoy the race!!!  BTW....what half are you doing?

You have been doing the miles so your fitness should be good, I would also think somewhere around 1:45-might be good to have a 1:50 goal, a 1:45 goal if things go  well and maybe 1:40-1:42 if things go really well.

Well it was 1h:43m:20 for official time.  I'm definitely still way undertrained for the distance, legs started fading from about 8mi onward. I paid the price for going out too fast, but still held onto even splits:

7:48 | 7:49 | 7:49 | 7:48 | 7:53 | 7:49 | 7:53 | 7:48 | 7:35 | 7:48 | 7:54 | 7:46 | 7:52

I'll take that. Just under 1 year from lying smashed in the road...it is all part of the journey. I'll be feeling this one for a few days.

You did better than you expected - excellent work!  You've come such a long way in the past year. 

You should be very proud of yourself - WE are!

Milk truck, looks like you are almost all the way back to your pre accident days and close to your PR's.  Good running.