Forums >Racing>The Waltons aka Advanced Half Marathon Training Thread - 2022 edition
Hot Weather Complainer
I find both threads very supportive - the other thread can get a bit more spicy, and at times a bit trolly (I just join in now...), but I agree it's more focused on the marathon distance. I have only been posting my weeklies there out of laziness and because I'm more focused on the marathon distance at the moment. Having said that, my new coach/physio team seem keen on getting me to do more 5km and 10km races along with strength training to boost my musculoskeletal fitness so I'll be doing more races of all distances in 2023. I even got my Park Run barcode yesterday - first planning session with coach tomorrow and I'm guessing there could be a 5km in January, even though I feel miles away from having any speed. In conclusion, I don't know what to do with the threads...
Mark - it sucks that you're going through another sickness. Could be Covid or just a new cold variant that has picked up pace in the last few years.
5km: 18:53 12/22 │ 10km: 40:49 2/22 │ HM: 1:27:32* 5/22 │ M: 3:35:02 10/22
*Net Downhill. Flat course PR: 1:29:25 6/16
Upcoming Races:
Selwyn Marathon June 4, 2023
Hagley Park Run July 1 and August 12, 2023 (threshold Check ins)
Canterbury Road Running Champs 10km August 26, 2023
Run Prix Half Marathon (Melbourne) September 24, 2023
Good call on racing shorter distances more. I found it a little strange that you never did shorter races during training cycles. A 5km race only requires 3-4 days to be near fully recovered.
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)
Definitely don't have any answers for this but asking if there will still be 2 threads next year and if so is half/full the right divider? Are there any lurkers that would think about posting regularly if something changed slightly?
We did try merging the threads halfway through the year. It didn't really work, for the reasons that Fred and Steve mentioned. Hence a bunch of us ended up either back here or cross-posting, which is how it used to be anyways.
I did notice some folks had started up a beginner half marathon thread, I suspect that is actually a more logical merge for us, given the generally friendly and supportive attitude of folks on this thread.
Steve - yeah I'm slowly improving. If it was just a cold, it's not like any cold I've ever had before. Spent 3 or 4 days just feeling totally wiped out... like having a 4-day hangover with headache and can't-be-assed-moving-off-the-couch.
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: Xterra Waitawa, 21 May, didn't die
Up next: Xterra Hunua, 11 June, also aiming to not die
"CONSISTENCY IS KING"
JamesD
I'm fine with keeping the current threads, as I'm almost certainly never going to run a full, and I like the vibe in this thread. Haven't looked at the beginners half thread, but as long as they're serious about training, I wouldn't mind merging with them. My only concern would be that it gets difficult to keep up if there are more than about a dozen people.
Covid seems to be coming back in my area too, though symptoms don't seem to be as bad as they were earlier. I had my booster 12 days ago, and just found out that someone who sat next to me at an environmental group meeting last week and was wearing a mask because of what he thought was a cold later tested positive. I haven't been tested and haven't had any symptoms (unless covid caused the latest flareup of my knee trouble, which doesn't seem likely).
Post-1987 PRs: Half 1:30:14 (2019); 10K 39:35 (2019); 5K 19:12 (2017); Mile 5:37.3 (2020)
'23 Goals: health; consistency; age-graded PRs; half < 1:30
I think seeing if the new HM tread with merge with this one is a good idea. James makes a good point about the manageable size of a group. Though I plan to run a marathon next fall, I'm more comfortable talking about halves and shorter events.
5k 23:48.45 (3/22); 4M 31:26 (2/22); 5M 38:57 (11/22); 10k 49:24 (10/22); Half 1:48:32 (10/22)Upcoming race(s): Federal Twist 10k, 6/3; NYC Marathon, 11/6/23
I'd be open to the merge. I don't really fit with new HM or advanced, so maybe this would be ideal.
HCK, in your case in think "experienced" serves to qualify you as "advanced." Don't let the latter word dissuade you. I stayed away until this year because I didn't consider myself "advanced" and I now regret not being here sooner.
I'm not sure what word would be more appropriate but there must be one. We're all running probably 4+ times per week, posting on a forum and looking for ways to be better so if not advanced, we're certainly all serious. Just because we're not elite doesn't mean our training isn't advanced but I wouldn't want anyone to be scared off by it.
100% endorse what Fred said. I should also add that Fred has been pretty much the star of the thread this year, I've lost count of the number of PBs he's racked up.
You're going to make me blush. I've benefitted from having so much more room for improvement as well as running so many different distances, not to mention soaking up hints and knowledge from the forums.
Fred - Agree with Mark, it does seem like you get a PR every other week! It's fantastic.
Mark - Just had session with new coach - ChCh marathon is completely changing the course, no more river (and pot holes) although that isn't the reason. Traffic management cost has become ridiculous so it's going to be a 10.5km lap, 4 times for the full. I actually think it isn't as boring as it sounds, all within the Four Avenues and Hagley Park, on fast recently sealed roads. Good for supporters/race crew too.
I'm OK either way re threads for 2023.
Steve - Chch marathon website must be out of date. I think 4 laps on good surface is a good thing. I really don't think 4 laps has a risk of boredom, you'll be having a rather good day if at the 32km mark you're getting bored!
I'm OK either way re threads for 2023. Steve - Chch marathon website must be out of date. I think 4 laps on good surface is a good thing. I really don't think 4 laps has a risk of boredom, you'll be having a rather good day if at the 32km mark you're getting bored!
Kinda makes me sad though. Another event falls victim in some form to the whims of local authorities.
I think it's NZTA rather than a local authority.
Rotorua seems to have sufficient road control to keep its course for 2023. So does Wellington Round the Bays (long race is a half).
So in part, it's the Chch organizer not wanting to spend extra money.
Four laps would also have the benefit of reducing a long into the wind stretch too.
I'm still a bit sick (3 weeks now). Sore throat is still there, and my asthma is (for me) fairly bad. So I'll be having another week or two very light training, and hopefully I'll be better. It's the worst cold I've had for a while (I've had many negative RAT results, so I just think it's a cold).
Watson - it hasn’t been publicly announced yet, my coach is mates with the major sponsor so got the early word. It’s because of the council, not NZTA, the cost and hoops to jump through is getting worse every year. I agree it won’t be boring and is a good way to break up the distance. Around the river is scenic but pretty boring since all the houses were wiped out.
Hope you feel better soon!