Sub 1:30 Half Marathon in 2020 (Read 618 times)

Steve cancel the 10k and get down to Sumner beach 

JMac,  congratulations!!!

For me, ideal race temp is about 38-42F for me. I'm fine down to 32  but below that I quickly start slowing down.  It's really hard to get loose and stay loose & warm below 20F and so I struggle to do non-treadmill workouts in the winter.

 

I do think this is where I'll end up. I just can't maintain this lifestyle where I'm running 70-80 MPW. I have no idea how Keen does it. Maybe he just doesn't need sleep? But my sleep needs are so high, which means once a baby comes, I'm going to be a broken man and running will not be possible. But I may just do it here and there, especially on weekends, to keep msyelf somewhat in touch of how to put one foot in front of the other.

 

Steve - you're definitely meeting your goal of complaining about weather. You'll be fine. Run the race, complain after. I say this as someone who complains about weather all the time with my races.

 

Weather Complaining - Is there a lower bound of temperatures where people start failing? I haven't run a race below 32F/0C, although I've sure done plenty of workouts in them. I'm not sure where my lower bound is where I start thinking I may need to adjust. My guess is something like below 20F.

It is called "dad strength" and you just figure it out. Also, apparently it is easier when you have more, and it is different when they're your own. Keen is a different kind of odd.

I'm pretty sure the lower bound of failing is personal and actual. Personal in the way of mentally you've lost the race because you think it is too cold. Actual in the way it's ACTUALLY going to matter if you're running a half marathon at 29F and compare it to 40s or your PR.  I've not remembered racing in 32F and there is a few local races where you're almost guaranteed below 32 with clear roads so you're just cold at the start. Boston when it was 30s and windy a local runner said his legs started to lock up towards the end and he went sub 3 easy. Singlet and shorts for him on that day and he is experienced enough with cold/wind/being fast I'm sure he started to fail.

I'm sure it is similar to complaining about it being hot, or windy. SO many times we discuss how hot it is and the inverse (cold) isn't ever discussed. Windy day for me would have RUINED a BQ attempt last April and I was prepared to bail on the race because of it. Hot day...oh well hopefully I'm done in time. Cold day.....crickets.

2 part question  which doesn't really apply to the Half Marathon portion of this thread =)

1. Do you have any mile training advice or plans you really like? It's not anything I've specifically trained for and a lot of the top google hits are 4 week plans when I have 90 days.

2. Any advice for modifying training due to winter weather? My nearby tracks are all covered in snow and I would have to drive 50 minutes to get to an indoor track. Treadmills are available but it's hard to really sprint or do short intervals on them. I've been scouring neighborhoods and I've found 3 hills that get cleared really well of snow & ice that I can use for short hill sprints (<10 seconds) but beyond that I'm going to have to play things by ear.

3. Given that I just essentially took 3 weeks off and only cross trained, how much do I prioritize standard training components like tempo runs, and long runs or even VO2 which I usually only throw in when peaking for a race versus how much do I focus on race effort, or intervals that are slightly faster (or slower)?

4. It's going to be 40F this Sunday!!! That means I get to do a time trial on reasonably clear sidewalks!!!

The clothing thing totally makes sense and there probably is some high correlation. I also totally agree with DW  on temperature. I seemingly need slightly more clothing each year. A light sweat is absolutely perfect. I see guys running in the park with no gloves when it's 25 degrees outside and I wonder what I did wrong that I was given hands where I need gloves at 50.

Given my new goal for Boston is 2:32:59, I was trying to figure out what I need to run at the NYC Half to feel reasonably confident for that to work. I had originally thought that 1:14:59 would be a great goal, as there's something about that 75 minute barrier, plus it's more aggressive than just a "PR" goal. I did just convert a 1:16:05 into a 2:36:31, but a) that half had 6 miles directly into a 20-25 mph wind and b) it was a week sooner within my training cycle than the NYC Half, so realistically I can't expect to convert at HM+4 minutes again. I was thinking though that HM+5 is reasonable. Which means I somehow need to break 1:14:00 at the NYC Half in March. So Steve - throw it on the board. NYC Half on March 15. Goal is 1:13:59. Flavio - please see this and congratulate me on not sandbagging.

Steve - you're definitely meeting your goal of complaining about weather. You'll be fine. Run the race, complain after. I say this as someone who complains about weather all the time with my races.

 

Weather Complaining - Is there a lower bound of temperatures where people start failing? I haven't run a race below 32F/0C, although I've sure done plenty of workouts in them. I'm not sure where my lower bound is where I start thinking I may need to adjust. My guess is something like below 20F.

It's what I'm here for...just very frustrating that the worst day of the week is the day of the race.  I guess I should enter now - once I do that there's no point complaining because I'm doing it either way.  At least it's laps so I can have someone hand me water - not to drink, I'll pre-hydrate - but to dump on my head.

I had one training run where I did about 20km with 5km tempo at about -10C (14F)  but stupidly thought I'd warm up so went in shorts and shirt and no gloves.  Performance wise I was fine but my hands were in so much pain.  My half PB was -6C at the start (no wind, just cold and icy) and it was perfect.  But clearly I prefer it colder than normal people, for running anyway.