Forums >Racing>Sub 1:30 Half Marathon in 2020
Hi everyone,
I've been eyeing this thread for a while as my 2020 goal was to run my first half marathon. I wanted to establish a baseline time to see where I'm at before venturing into the thread. I haven't gone through much of the thread but just thought I'd start out by asking what time you ran your first half in and then how long it took you to achieve a sub 1:30 time. I had hoped to run an actual race for my first but since that's not happening at this point, I did a time trial. I didn't start "racing" until the 4 mile point as it was then I committed to the 13.10 mile distance as I felt good.
So the stats:
Miles: 13.10Time: 1:39:06 for a 7:34/mile pace
Splits:First half (6.55 miles): 50:57 for a 7:47/mile paceSecond half (6.55 miles): 48:09 for a 7:21/mile pace
Weather: 64 degrees/dew point 44 degreesShoes: Hoka Clifton 6
I can only imagine that 9 minutes will be a challenge to knock off particularly since I'm 48 years old but I'd like to make it a reach goal. I think just eventually finding a real race venue rather than a solo time trial would help some.
Thanks for any advice and relating the information I requested above.
Personal Records:
5K - 20:07 ran in September 2021 (The second half split during the 10K run listed below.)
10K - 41:10 ran in September 2021
8 miles - 56:15 ran in November 2021
Half Marathon - 1:39:06 ran in September 2020
Jason welcome that's a great first half time. Better than most 48 year olds for sure
Everyone is different. My first was a 1.35 when I was 43. My 2nd was 1.26 so I made good gains.
What's your training look like, mileage etc ?
Watson sub 40 is amazing especially considering no longruns this year. You must be stoked.
Zebano hope that knee thing clears for you but at least you are ready for the 8 week healing period
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 "
Jason - welcome. My half progression:
2011 1:45
2012 1:31
2013 1:31 (seconds better)
2014 1:31 (seconds better)
2015 1:28
2016 1:26
Piwi - the Rotorua half next Saturday will be my longest run so far in 2020!
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
Jason, I haven't gotten there, but I've been happy to chop about 14 minutes off my initial time. It's hard work, but rewarding. Good job negative splitting your time trial.
1:52 (14)
1:55 (16)
1:48 (3/17)
1:41 (5/17)
1:38:57 (9/17)
As you can see I need to race another half. The closest I've gotten are a few hilly trail 20ks.
1600 - 5:23 (2018), 5k - 19:33 (2018), 10k - 41:20 (2021), half - 1:38:57 (2018), Marathon - 3:37:17 (2018)
Hot Weather Complainer
watson - I think that 10km points towards a 1:28-29 half time but as you say, endurance could be a problem. I think you might just sneak in.
Jason - welcome to the thread. I think you've got a lot of improvement in you - your first time is really good. Can you outline when you started training and what a typical week looks like?
I did my first half in 2002 in 1:34 at age 25. I didn't know what I was doing training wise but had a good race with no fade. Because I was playing football I didn't train for my next race for another 6 months. I aimed for sub 1:30 in my second race in 2003 but had a fade and minor crash (recent crashes have made me realise it was minor but felt major at the time) to finish in 1:33. Same cycle, and one year later I ran 1:29:45 in 2004. So it took me 2 years but I wasn't dedicated to it 365 days of the year and my training wasn't optimal.
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
Cobra Commander Keen
Watson - Awesome job on the 10k! Nice RR as well, and kudos for the word "whilst". That's not one I hear much in America - we use "while" instead almost exclusively. Also, it looked to me like you were closing that race much faster than either of the two people immediately in front of you, for what that's worth.
Plenty of good weeks all around here.
I do agree with JMac regarding NZ course certifications (or lack thereof). Even my hometown has a certified 5k course, and there's literally zero running culture there - no track or XC teams (not now or in the past) for at least a 30 mile drive in any direction.
DWave - I take the "no loose ligaments" as a good thing. Hopefully the MRIs shed some light on the actual cause and you can get that sorted out. Also good that you're still feeling aerobically fit.
Jason - I ran my first half in 1:29:10 when I was 31 and had been running for 15 months. I only managed to shave a 69 seconds off that time (despite running flatter courses) until November of last year when I ran 1:24:18 (and felt like I left a good 30 seconds out there). Improvements don't typically come in steady increments, it's usually in steps.Your time is quite good for a first half - your massive negative split and that it was in relatively warm conditions for a half (relatively warm for me, at least) indicates that you're capable of running a considerably faster time right now.
I'll echo Piwi - what does your current training look like? That'll give us more info to go off of, otherwise about the best we could do is say "run more", which is so general it applies to almost everyone.
I managed to put together a decent week with 1.5 workouts, though still no LR. Even on my easy runs I've been needing to stop 2-3 times to pop my low back/hip as it has been getting uncomfortable (not painful) after a while. Sometimes I've needed to pop it a bit to start running, otherwise my left hamstring/quad feels so tight it hurts. The feeling (and reality) that I can't get through an easy run without stopping is quite discouraging. That completely changed this morning, though. I was barely aware of any issues with my hip/back this morning and practically sailed through my easy 10 miler this morning - and felt like I could have kept going for quite a bit further if I had the time to do so. I think I'll get in another easy run or two and if those go well I'll knock out a solid workout and maybe a 20 this weekend.
Dad brag: DD1's soccer team won their first tournament of the season over the weekend! Tons of fun to watch and the girls had a great time all around.
5k: 17:58 11/22 │ 10k: 37:55 9/21 │ HM: 1:23:22 4/22 │ M: 2:56:05 12/22
Upcoming Races:
OKC Memorial 5k - April 27
Bun Run 5k - May 4
Watson - nice RR. It's scary how fast the likes of Hamish Carson go!
Zebano - bummer on the knee. Frustrating!
Keen - hopefully no more explosions around your part of the world?! Good to hear the body sounds like it is coming right, that will do wonders for you and your overall frame of mind.
Jason - welcome. That is a nice effort in a time trial particularly with a good negative split. Per your question, an actual race day is definitely good for a bit of a boost too - just the extra adrenaline and atmosphere helps a lot. I will often be battling to hit goal paces in training, but come race day with a good taper and some race-day adrenaline it all falls into place (and then some). I don't think knocking 9 minutes off your current time is crazy at all. As you can see, Piwi, Watson and Zebano have made big gains over time. I've knocked almost 17 minutes off my half PR since my first race 5 years ago.
Like Keen says, for some people that improvement comes in steps, for others it's more steady over time. A lot of it comes down to consistent training, but depending on your background and physiology, it can take a while before you see all the benefits of that. My half PR sat at 1:18 for almost 18 months but since I broke through that it's come down fairly steadily - that's probably partly cumulative training load/benefit, and partly Vaporflies haha.
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: Waterfront HM, 7 Apr, 1:15:48
Up next: Runway5, 4 May
"CONSISTENCY IS KING"
Keen good to hear you finally had a decent run. I " crack " my back each morning on either side and it stops it from seizing up. If I dont get the pop sound I know its stiff and eventually I can get it. Nice on the soccer. My son used to play and a tournament win is a huge buzz.
Steve/Watson I think Chris's half in Rotorua is a bit hilly and off road so not a fair course to get a sub 1.30 but no doubt sub 40 10k is better than equivalent.
Jason also 48 is still a good age to go fast. I'm 52 and dont feel like I have lost anything ( except enthusiasm over the last 10 years.
I ran 12kms this morning at a reasonable clip 4.10/km and put an effort into the last km expecting about a 3.40 last km but I ran 3.25. I'm hoping this means I'm in reasonable shape ! Will have to do a 5k time trial to find out.
Do the kiwis know if Parkrun will be back on outside of Auckland?
Just seen on Facebook Parkrun back on outside of Auckland
piwi, you are in top shape. I think you could take down your PBs in several distances right now if you wanted to. Well maybe the shorter distances since we're coming into summer.
Steve thanks for the vote of confidence.
Did you guys see this act of sportsmanship?
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://amp.news.com.au/sport/sports-life/diego-mentriga-shows-epic-sportsmanship-to-james-teagle-in-santander-triathlon-2020/news-story/7cb35edcf50318915bb0162b96ad7dfa&ved=2ahUKEwir7LeRwPvrAhV5xjgGHR9VCzUQ0PADMAJ6BAgIEBM&usg=AOvVaw2Ijt1Ks-iEwqQSN0sX8XaU&cf=1
I think Rotorua is 3-5 minutes slower than a quick half. I am going to run it as either a very long tempo, or easy start with fast finish.
I race the Wairarapa half 15 days later, and that is where I want sub 1:30.
Piwi - yep, good on him. I saved Gene Rand from taking a wrong turn in a race 3 years ago and he ended up pipping me for third place. Still glad I did it though. Like Steve says you have had some really good consistent training and workouts and that one this morning is really promising. Parkrun would be a good one to keep you sharp until the Mount Maunganui race hopefully happens.
Re Rotorua Half / Watson - most of the course is on trails and to add to that, there's one absolute stinker of a hill near the start. I'd say it's easily 3-5 minutes slower than a flat half and possibly more. I like Watson's idea of starting easy as the last 6km of the course is all flat with one big downhill in there. One idea might be to aim to run that last 6km at sub-1:30 pace - I think that would be great preparation for Wairarapa which looks like a fairly quick course with only a couple of small hills.
Interesting chatting to Luke McCallum today. He knows most of the race directors as he often runs post-event massage facilities at races. Anyway he reckons Rotorua Marathon are going to cop it quite badly in the long run from this due to the way they've handled the Auckland runners both in terms of poor communications and not really trying to find ways to make it (safely) work.
It's a shame as it is a legendary race, but I have to admit it's slipped down the list of marathons I'd do, if was to do another marathon in 2021 or beyond.
It's interesting to compare them to Running Events who have had a number of events thwarted but who have maintained a very good reputation with runners because everyone knows they've done everything possible to try and find ways to make events work within the applicable restrictions.
RIP Milkman
Thread is flying as usual. Sorry for those I miss:
Piwi - as someone who ran a time trial 5K for a PR, one big piece of advice I can give you is the pace can slip from just pure mental laziness around KM 3. That's true in a real race, but it's even more so in a TT. I know we are big proponents of running by feel, but in a 5K TT, I think it's critical to be checking your pace more frequently. I saw my pace slipping at that point and had to do a check in where I realized I wasn't as tired as I should be, which means the pace shouldn't be slipping
Mark - having a coach through all of this is the one time I feel like it's worth any amount of money. I have no idea how to taper, un-taper, and re-taper again
Jason - welcome! Youll see a lot of stories here of growth. My first half marathon was 1:43, almost passing out at the finish (needed a volunteer to help me). I'm now down to 1:15. There are a lot of things you need as you start getting better, but when you're first starting, it's really just consistent mileage. Let us know what your training history is.
Watson - congrats again, really stellar work and good to see you running well again after it feels like you've had years of life getting in the way.
DW - felt that way all summer with zero speed. You already know this, but it comes back quickly. Just 2 weeks of mile paced work and some cruise intervals and I felt back to usual.
Keen - my proud dad moments right now are just my daugher smiles more at me than my wife. She hates it given she spends all day with her. I can't help being so great
Me - took 3 days off due to life getting in the way. My car broke down on Friday and the weekend was too hectic. I figured it was a good opportunity to let my achilles heal a bit. Nope. Seemed to make it worse, I coudn't run today. I find this often with my niggles: I need to keep running through them to prevent them from getting worse. I'll be on the shelf for a little bit. Glad I got that 5K PR in though, makes this downtime much easier. As I said to Keen before, I love being lazy
5K: 16:37 (11/20) | 10K: 34:49 (10/19) | HM: 1:14:57 (5/22) | FM: 2:36:31 (12/19)