Anomalous
Did you find it necessary to complete the suggested half marathon race during your marathon training? There are only a limited amount of races during the week that I am scheduled to run the half, and unfortunately none of them are local or within reasonable driving distance. I know that doing the race is a beneficial way to help you gauge what your marathon finish time will be, but I may not be able to register for one. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Half Fanatic #3091 ~ Marathon debut: 11/16/13 Anthem Richmond Marathon
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Trail Monster
Is there a half that works better for you? Closer to home and around the same time? It doesn't have to be the exact week in training but a half will get you a better idea of your abilities. Just switch out that week with the race with the week before or after it in your training schedule.
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During my last marathon training, I had no races from where to do them. There were NO races anywhere near us because it was 100F down here. Anyway, I was able to train without the predictor races and still PR at the marathon. It is not the best option but if you have to, you have to.
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Right now, the only half that works is RnR Philadelphia. It is actually on the right date and on the east coast. The races that I've seen for the week prior and after are further away.
I understand, D. Thanks!
Personally I don't think a predictor half marathon race is vitally important during training for your first full, especially
if one has done at least a few 1/2's in the recent months leading up to the full training. I think if one has done a few
halfs (as you have done) and if they have pretty consistent finish times and are really in tune with their reasonable
marathon pace you should be able to extrapolate a rough finish time without a race.
Of course if you can get one in, with enough of a lead time prior to the marathon all the better but I don't think it's
worth interferring with a needed long run and in the last 6 weeks of training I would rather skip the 1/2 and devote
myself to having a good solid build up of long runs.
Also a lot depends on the marathon you are doing.....elevations, expected temps, crowd size etc. A lot of factors
can come into play during the full that a 1/2 race cannot predict.
I had done 16 halfs prior to my first full and gave myself a finish goal of 4:40 based on a 1,800 ft elevation gain
and came in at 4:39. My 1/2 PR at the time was 1:59 but I knew with about 1,200 ft of gain in the 2nd half of
the race that the +20 minutes for my first full was not going to happen. So I planned to go slow, come across the
half around 2:10 (was actually 2:14) and save some energy for all those hills later on.
So in summary I wouldn't worry too much about getting in the 1/2 race. I would focus more on solid training for the
long runs and a race day strategy appropriate to the particular race.
Personally I don't think a predictor half marathon race is vitally important during training for your first full, especially if one has done at least a few 1/2's in the recent months leading up to the full training. I think if one has done a few halfs (as you have done) and if they have pretty consistent finish times and are really in tune with their reasonable marathon pace you should be able to extrapolate a rough finish time without a race. Of course if you can get one in, with enough of a lead time prior to the marathon all the better but I don't think it's worth interferring with a needed long run and in the last 6 weeks of training I would rather skip the 1/2 and devote myself to having a good solid build up of long runs. Also a lot depends on the marathon you are doing.....elevations, expected temps, crowd size etc. A lot of factors can come into play during the full that a 1/2 race cannot predict. I had done 16 halfs prior to my first full and gave myself a finish goal of 4:40 based on a 1,800 ft elevation gain and came in at 4:39. My 1/2 PR at the time was 1:59 but I knew with about 1,200 ft of gain in the 2nd half of the race that the +20 minutes for my first full was not going to happen. So I planned to go slow, come across the half around 2:10 (was actually 2:14) and save some energy for all those hills later on. So in summary I wouldn't worry too much about getting in the 1/2 race. I would focus more on solid training for the long runs and a race day strategy appropriate to the particular race.
I appreciate your feedback. You have really given me something to think about. Thank you!
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Nikki, I'm not sure where you are at but there is also the Divas Half in Leesburg VA. It's about 3 hours or so from Philly and is in a beautiful area. I have family about 20 minutes from there and I hate Philadelphia so I picked that one
LOL!!! We'll see. The funds are the issue at the moment since I'll be traveling to two races next year.
Oh! That's where their new race is located.
It'll be a beast. Pretty hilly out there but what comes up must come down. Beautiful area.
YAYpril - B-Plus
I'm going to train for a September 8 marathon (my first) and there aren't any summer HM's in my area. I'm just going to use my goal spring HM on April 28 as my predictor.
delicate flower
Honestly, I feel the marathon training just gives me an excuse to "have to" run a half marathon during training. I personally wouldn't worry too much about not being able to run a HM though. Your training should give you a pretty good idea of where you are. All during training for my last marathon, my 'A-goal' for was 3:45. I ran a HM four weeks out and all it did was confirm that 3:45 was doable on a good day. If I hadn't run that HM, my goal would not have changed.
Granted, I am still a noob and have only been through two real marathon training cycles, so there is a pretty good chance I have no idea what the hell I am talking about.
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LOL! I think you do, Phil.