Sub 1:30 Half Marathon 2021 Edition (Read 448 times)

Mikkey


Mmmm Bop

    Piwi - Big congrats, that’s a fantastic time especially as you haven’t run a half in 6 years!  I’m sure you could get close to 1:20/sub 37 10k if you keep up the consistency and add a bit more mileage. 👍

    5k - 17:53 (4/19)   10k - 37:53 (11/18)   Half - 1:23:18 (4/19)   Full - 2:50:43 (4/19)

    zebano


      Piwi - heck of  a race and incredibly even splits! Way to surge to drop the orange shirt.

       

      Watson - sounds like a solid race given how little fitness you have currently. You'll be tearing it up in no time.

      1600 - 5:23 (2018), 5k - 19:33 (2018), 10k - 41:20 (2021), half - 1:38:57 (2018), Marathon - 3:37:17 (2018)

        Mikkey thanks yes i will keep training hard. Looks like my last long run was mid April and only around 20kms. My mileage has been 70 to 80 kms per week which is marginal for me to hold pace in a half and up.

         

        Zebano thanks yeah I think that guy cooked himself although did achieve sub 1.24 but went about it in a painful way.

         

        I noticed there was only 80 odd half runners and around 400 10k and 400 5k runners. We Kiwis are a little lazy 😴 

        55+ PBs 5k 18:36 June 3rd TT

        " If you don't use it you lose it,  but if you use it, it wears out.

        Somewhere in between is about right "      

         

        Marky_Mark_17


          Piwi - excellent job on the race despite the fact it sounds like the body didn't quite agree with running in a different time slot.  Your splits were super consistent throughout even though it sounds like you were working hard at the tail end of the race.  Good reward for the consistent training you've put in over the last little while and given also that it's the first half you've raced in a while.

           

          Me - back to earth with my first (and hopefully last!) DNF in yesterday's XC race.  I got a mega stitch partway into lap 2, 1.5km later and it had gone way beyond suffering to 'nah this isn't right' so I pulled the pin.  Probably paid for my near-complete lack of XC experience, I sat well behind the guys I knew like Simon Mace and Nick Moore who are around my pace on the road but are very experienced XC runners but maybe not conservative enough as it was a hot and windy day, plus like Piwi I was running at a pretty unfamiliar time too.

           

          I'm putting it down to a bad day given how well things went two weeks ago, but I'm also not in a rush to attempt 4 or 5 more XC races this season so I might try and scout for mid-winter halves instead to keep the race sharpness up before September.

           

          Weekly for period: From: 10/05/2021 To 16/05/2021

           

          Date Name Distance
          in km
          Duration Avg Pace
          per km
          Elevation Gain
          in m
          10/05/2021 That run where the tank farm has no tanks (or farm) 5.25 00:25:48 04:55 8
          11/05/2021 That run where half an hour earlier was a lot quieter 17.03 01:10:26 04:08 35
          12/05/2021 That run where it was half an hour later because I forgot my alarm 12.01 00:51:44 04:18 21
          13/05/2021 That run with the first hill sprints in ages 12.01 00:53:54 04:29 118
          15/05/2021 Warm up 2.10 00:10:16 04:53 31
          15/05/2021 That run with the DNF 4.59 00:17:24 03:47 86
          15/05/2021 That run where it was back on the pavement 5.64 00:25:39 04:33 75
          16/05/2021 That run where some albums can be good but not good for running 22.31 01:42:17 04:35 229

          Total distance: 80.94km

          3,000m: 9:07.7 (Nov-21) | 5,000m: 15:39 (Dec-19) | 10,000m: 32:34 (Mar-20)  

          10km: 33:15 (Sep-19) | HM: 1:09:41 (May-21)* | FM: 2:41:41 (Oct-20)

          * Net downhill course

          Last race: Maraetai HM, 10 Mar, DNF

          Up next: Waterfront HM, 7 Apr

          "CONSISTENCY IS KING"

          watsonc123


            Mark - nice week.  XC is a lot slower than road, looking at Strava I wonder if km one was a bit quick?

            PRs: 5km 18:43 (Dec 2015), 10km 39:59 (Sep 2020), half 1:26:16 (Sep 2016), full 3:09:28 (Jun 2015)

             

            40+ PRs: 5km 19:31 (Oct 2020), 10km 39:59 (Sep 2020), half 1:29:39 (Jun 2018), full 3:13:55 (Sep 2022)

             

            2023 PRs (hope to beat in 2024): 5km 20:34, 10km 41:37, half 1:32:32, full 3:21:05

             

            2024 PRs: 5km 20:25

            watsonc123


              RR

              Park Run - Trentham

               

              This was my first ever park run.  The local park run started up a few months ago.

               

              8am start, Saturday morning.

               

              I leave home about 7:30.  I do a 3.8km warm up run which is also the commute.

               

              I am not fit at the moment.  It is a fairly slow course too.

              The course starts at Trentham Memorial Park.  The first km is on pavement.  Then it is down the river trail (diry/gravel).  Turn around at 2.6km.  With the return having the last km run through the Bush.

               

              I know a few people there.  There is about 70 in total.

               

              We take off.  I start at a reasonable pace.

               

              I am just behind David who is one of the better 60+ runners in the region.

               

              I go past David at around 500m.

               

              My watch beeps at 4:12.

               

              I then go down the river.  Pace is fine, next km in 4:11.

               

              There was quite a bit of overnight rain, so there are. many puddles, although the surface is reasonable.

               

              Pace still fine, I am not catching 6th place.

               

              Turn around done.

               

              Third km in 4:15.

               

              The fourth km is a struggle.  A combination of fitness lacking, slightly up hill and a moderate wind.

               

              Fourth km in 4:31.

               

              Over the stop bank and going for home through the Bush.  I am too far behind 6th to follow.  But I am pretty sure of the way.  Through the bush and then it is 50 metres to go.

               

              I finish in 21:38 (officially 21:37).  And of course my GPS measures short (this is a properly wheeled course)

               

              David finishes just behind me.  He had a terrible cross country last week (and I was not great) so that was pleasing.

               

              Take homes:

              - More training needed.

              - Having a local park run nearby us really good as I do find racing regularly helps me a lot.

              - The course is slow.  Looking on Strava, the last 2km are 10 s/km slower, so my true fade was more like 5 s/km.

              PRs: 5km 18:43 (Dec 2015), 10km 39:59 (Sep 2020), half 1:26:16 (Sep 2016), full 3:09:28 (Jun 2015)

               

              40+ PRs: 5km 19:31 (Oct 2020), 10km 39:59 (Sep 2020), half 1:29:39 (Jun 2018), full 3:13:55 (Sep 2022)

               

              2023 PRs (hope to beat in 2024): 5km 20:34, 10km 41:37, half 1:32:32, full 3:21:05

               

              2024 PRs: 5km 20:25

                Mark thats a tough initiation into x country. It must be very hard to pace like an off road race. I've always been happiest settling into a constant pace as you are used too as well.

                Hopefully the next one you feel better.

                 

                Watson that sounds like a tough course. Its great you have it there now as you can use it for tempo training too.

                 

                My week. I went out and did 6kms recovery just now and couldn't break 6 min/km 9.30 mile pace 👌

                Weekly for period: From: 10/05/2021 To 16/05/2021

                Mouse over for conversions

                Date Name Distance
                in km
                Duration Avg Pace
                per km
                Elevation Gain
                in m
                10/05/2021 Beach jog and swim with Grayson 6.01 00:29:20 04:53 18
                11/05/2021 Beach jog and dip with Grayson 6.01 00:31:07 05:11 18
                12/05/2021 Kirkwood/Parsons siting 12.01 01:04:59 05:25 161
                14/05/2021 Beach jog with Grayson 6.02 00:31:26 05:13 18
                15/05/2021 Afternoon Run 2.01 00:10:42 05:19 9
                15/05/2021 We Run the Night half marathon 21.11 01:23:30 03:57 10
                16/05/2021 Morning Run 6.02 00:37:05 06:10 7

                Total distance: 59.21km

                55+ PBs 5k 18:36 June 3rd TT

                " If you don't use it you lose it,  but if you use it, it wears out.

                Somewhere in between is about right "      

                 

                darkwave


                Mother of Cats

                  Piwi - excellent fantastic job.  Especially with fried rice as pre-race fuel?  BWah?   I enjoyed the report.

                   

                  Watson- slightly uphill 4th KM with headwind sounds rather unpleasant.  Good job on a tough course.

                   

                  Marky_Mark- I think anytime you go from not feeling great to feeling NOT RIGHT is time to pull the plug.  Stupid to push through and set yourself back.

                  Everyone's gotta running blog; I'm the only one with a POOL-RUNNING blog.

                   

                  And...if you want a running Instagram where all the pictures are of cats, I've got you covered.

                  Marky_Mark_17


                    Watson - I probably went out a bit hot even though I tried to be conservative.  Good job on the parkrun.  The gravel sections would've slowed things up a little bit.  It's a good benchmark to work from and nice to have 5km events around that we can use as good fitness checks without being anything too serious (also free!).

                     

                    Piwi - backing up after last night would've been very tough on the legs!

                     

                    Me - gonna scratch NZXC Champs and Auckland XC Champs from my planning.  I may do another XC race or two but I just don't rate my chances of getting where I would want to be in the time available.  Luckily I did find another half down in Te Anau at the same time we are staying in Wanaka in early August.  It's mostly trail but they are pretty good quality trails (with some fantastic scenery!) and it will still be a good rust-buster before September races.  So that might be a go.  Looks like another small capacity-limited race so probably a good chance to check it out while I'm down there.

                    3,000m: 9:07.7 (Nov-21) | 5,000m: 15:39 (Dec-19) | 10,000m: 32:34 (Mar-20)  

                    10km: 33:15 (Sep-19) | HM: 1:09:41 (May-21)* | FM: 2:41:41 (Oct-20)

                    * Net downhill course

                    Last race: Maraetai HM, 10 Mar, DNF

                    Up next: Waterfront HM, 7 Apr

                    "CONSISTENCY IS KING"

                    JMac11


                    RIP Milkman

                      Piwi - what an unbelievable run! I feel like a proud father who watched his son go wayward, only to return to glory (forget the fact you're 20 years older than me ). I really am proud of you for it!

                       

                      I agree with Mikkey. It's crazy you ran that time with no half marathon in 6 years and with so few long runs! I feel I need a few 25K long runs to succeed at the half. You have a lot of potential to keep getting better. I hope the fire is still there and you stick with it while the iron is hot

                      5K: 16:37 (11/20)  |  10K: 34:49 (10/19)  |  HM: 1:14:57 (5/22)  |  FM: 2:36:31 (12/19) 

                       

                       

                      SteveChCh


                      Hot Weather Complainer

                        piwi - Great effort, that is crazy fast.  Nice RR.  Interesting that racing at night seemed to mess with you so much.

                         

                        watson - Good effort, doesn't sound like an easy course.  You're building a nice platform of races.

                         

                        Mark - Ouch, sounds painful.  Have you had stitch issues before?  Wise decision I think.

                         

                        me - It was supposed to be another mileage record and longest ever run this week but yesterday didn't go too well (thanks for all the feedback on Strava).  I was going along feeling good for 30km when suddenly started getting cramp in my hamstring which got worse for 2km before I decided to pull the pin - getting home by shuffling to avoid cramp wasn't worth it.  Unsure what the cause is, probably needed more fluids in the end, and I also went too fast at times.  Also it's the end of big block of training at record levels, before a down week next week.  The wind picked up early in the run so in the middle I had an 18km stretch into a strong-ish wind (not Wellington levels but good practice).  This left a tailwind for what was supposed to be the last 10km which unfortunately I only got to enjoy for 6km.

                         

                        So what has felt like plain sailing hits the first bump in the road - I won't panic but it has dented the confidence a little.  The coming week is about 80km I think which never used to be a down week but hopefully freshens me up a bit.

                         

                        Weekly for period: From: 10/05/2021 To 16/05/2021

                        Date Name mi km Duration Avg/mi Avg/km Elevation Gain
                        in m
                        10/05 Warm up 0.35 0.57 00:03:30 10:00 06:08 0
                        10/05 70 mins easy pace at Mission Bay 8.99 14.47 01:10:08 07:48 04:51 6
                        12/05 Warm up 0.33 0.52 00:03:05 09:21 05:56 0
                        12/05 Med-Long incl. 8 x 1km @ HMP off 90 secs recovery 9.96 16.02 01:12:52 07:19 04:33 10
                        13/05 Recovery 5.54 8.92 00:46:54 08:28 05:15 18
                        14/05 Warm up 0.28 0.45 00:02:35 09:14 05:44 0
                        14/05 Easy 10km 6.30 10.14 00:50:12 07:58 04:57 11
                        15/05 Warm up 0.28 0.45 00:02:50 10:07 06:18 0
                        15/05 Long incl. 8 x (1km easy, 1km @ MP) 20.05 32.26 02:38:44 07:55 04:55 52
                        16/05 Recovery 4.06 6.54 00:36:26 08:58 05:34 6

                        Total distance: 90.33km

                        5km: 18:34 11/23 │ 10km: 39:10 8/23 │ HM: 1:26:48 9/23 │ M: 3:34:49 6/23

                         

                        2024 Races:

                        Motorway Half Marathon February 25, 2024 1:29:55

                        Christchurch Half-Marathon April 21, 2024

                        Selwyn Marathon June 2, 2024

                        Dunedin Half Marathon September 15, 2024

                          Jmac awww thanks Dad 👨  appreciate it. I think even if I can consistently hit 60 mpw I will get some good gains. I really had to work hard last night from start to finish whereas my 10k time trial was just butter and smoothe.

                           

                          Steve wow I'm so impressed with your long runs. The cramp may have been the pace and distance combination been a new stress to your legs ?

                          We are planning another Christchurch trip in the next month.

                           

                          Mark good idea stick to road racing  you are a boss at that.

                           

                          Darkwave thanks I thought rice would be ok.

                           

                          Last night been dark was an interesting experience.  There were street lights on one side but not the other.

                          They had photographers every so often with big spotlights facing back at us completely blinding us. Also vehicles with flashing lights etc. Definitely a unique experience ✨

                           

                          More photos sorry...

                           

                           

                          Me and Ben working together

                           

                          55+ PBs 5k 18:36 June 3rd TT

                          " If you don't use it you lose it,  but if you use it, it wears out.

                          Somewhere in between is about right "      

                           

                          Marky_Mark_17


                            Steve - bummer about the blow-up on your long run but sometimes it's just a bad day.  The wind probably took it out of you and if it was cramp it was likely hydration or electrolyte-related.  You have been posting some big mileage so a lighter week will probably be good for you at this point.  I wouldn't read anything into it other than just an off day given how well you have been tracking lately.  Anyways another good week despite the long run not going to plan.

                             

                            Stitch is generally a non-issue for me but weirdly it's something that I'll inexplicably cop seriously once or twice a year.  Last time it happened  was around this time last year in a MP workout.

                             

                            Piwi - that would've been a very different experience to run in.  I have done a few night / evening races but they have been track events which is actually not that different to running an early morning track session in the dark - except with other runners and with spectators on the home straight.  Having spotlights in your face would've been very disorienting.

                             

                            I agree with JMac and Mikkey that you've got more upside in a half.  Just having had this one under your belt alone would help you with pacing next time around, it's been a long time since that miserable day in Taupo!

                            3,000m: 9:07.7 (Nov-21) | 5,000m: 15:39 (Dec-19) | 10,000m: 32:34 (Mar-20)  

                            10km: 33:15 (Sep-19) | HM: 1:09:41 (May-21)* | FM: 2:41:41 (Oct-20)

                            * Net downhill course

                            Last race: Maraetai HM, 10 Mar, DNF

                            Up next: Waterfront HM, 7 Apr

                            "CONSISTENCY IS KING"

                            watsonc123


                              Steve - nice week.  Your long run looked good, even if you had to cut it slightly short.

                               

                              Piwi - good week, and once again, great run.

                               

                              My week was good.

                               

                              Thursday's steady pace run was good.  The second 5km of the 10km steady was in 22:01, and the whole steady part was definitely not all out.  So I expected to be a bit quicker on Saturday.

                               

                              Saturday's Park Run was a bit slower than hoped.

                               

                              Today's long run was my longest this year.  I didn't realize it but on the uphill section of around 1km at 15%, according to Strava it was the quickest I've done that in.

                               

                              Weekly for period: From: 10/05/2021 To 16/05/2021

                              Date Name Distance
                              in km
                              Duration Avg Pace
                              per km
                              Elevation Gain
                              in m
                              10/05/2021 Evening Run 4.69 00:26:25 05:38 15
                              11/05/2021 Evening Run 7.01 00:39:32 05:38 24
                              12/05/2021 Evening Run 7.08 00:37:33 05:18 23
                              13/05/2021 Evening Run - Steady Pace 3.0-13.0km 14.12 01:05:53 04:40 49
                              15/05/2021 Warm Up 1 3.60 00:17:44 04:56 2
                              15/05/2021 Warm Up 2 0.18 00:01:02 05:44 0
                              15/05/2021 Park Run 5km 4.98 00:21:38 04:21 8
                              15/05/2021 Cool Down 4.15 00:23:18 05:37 15
                              16/05/2021 Afternoon Run - Harcourt Park to Cannon Point, Down River Through Kiwi Park, Dead End, Kiwi Park, then Home 20.75 02:00:32 05:49 318

                              Total distance: 66.55km

                              PRs: 5km 18:43 (Dec 2015), 10km 39:59 (Sep 2020), half 1:26:16 (Sep 2016), full 3:09:28 (Jun 2015)

                               

                              40+ PRs: 5km 19:31 (Oct 2020), 10km 39:59 (Sep 2020), half 1:29:39 (Jun 2018), full 3:13:55 (Sep 2022)

                               

                              2023 PRs (hope to beat in 2024): 5km 20:34, 10km 41:37, half 1:32:32, full 3:21:05

                               

                              2024 PRs: 5km 20:25

                              Mikkey


                              Mmmm Bop

                                 

                                 

                                 

                                 

                                 

                                 

                                 

                                 

                                Your legs might be a bit short, but they still look ace!

                                5k - 17:53 (4/19)   10k - 37:53 (11/18)   Half - 1:23:18 (4/19)   Full - 2:50:43 (4/19)