I don't know where to aim for that is both realistic and a challange. This is my first half marathon. I've done a few full 26.2's and can do those sub 3:30 but I think the next pace group up (7min/miles) will be way too fast for me. Is there anyone aiming for 1:35-1:40 who knows what they're at with pacing?
Jo whereas you`ve done lots of marathons and no halfs ,i`ve done lots of halfs and only 2 full marathons.I ran 1;24;41 at the 4 villages half a few weeks back so hopefully i can maybe shave a few seconds off that if i have a good run but my main aim at the moment is London in April. I think if you can run a sub 3;30 mara which is quite impressive then you should be looking at going close to 1;30.
The hill isnt that bad,i have probably run up it half a dozen times since xmas on training runs,its about 800 metres so just get on your toes,lean into it, shorten your stride slightly and pump your arms and you`ll be halfway down Princes avenue before you know it.
Thanks Jakesy. Do loads of hills living here in Caerphilly. Did the Longleat 10k yesterday which was hilly and it didn't beat me! And those hills are 1-2k long!
Its just good to know what you are facing when you dont know the area!
I agree with Jakesy - its a long one but not overly daunting, and once you've got to the traffic lights half way up you've almost cracked it and last year there was a feed station at the top - followed by flat and fast all the way to the finish.
The only bit I didn't like was going round the traffic island at the top!
Was aiming at 95 minutes this year but a sub-33 5 miler at Alsager at the weekend insists that nearer 90 should be on the cards. Which is a bad news 'cos it means I will have to work harder this year.
One thing I noticed last year was how many went haring off in the first mile or two (maybe down to the big fun-run element). Usually I'm pushing past people for the first part of any race but last year I was nearly trampled despite lining up next to the 1:45 marker.
Holgs how are you running at the moment? Are we having a re-match?!
I was on a mission this time last year, so I'm just out to enjoy this one. Great crowd and atmosphere, not to mention extremely well organised! See you all there!
Mum and I are run/walking this one, with the emphasis on walking. Mum's never run before and has been working on her walking fitness (she did the nijmegen marches when she was younger).
I reckon we can do it in 3:30 if I give her a push!
I'm running the Inverness half the week before as my first half mara race (done plenty of half mara distances in training for IM and marathon).
Marcus, a rematch sounds like fun but given the times you are running and aiming for I'll be a fewminutes behind you. Injured my knee in October and then my calf at xmas - back training gently again now will be aiming for about 1:35 - 1:45 if I'm fit.
Ally - I bet few people know about the Nijmegen marches -Somethingk like 40km/day each day for a week? I work for a company based down the road from Nijmegen. I was thinking of perhpas running one of the legs this year.
Jo - 1:35! - You get the first round in - I should be in within 10 minutes.
Can anyone suggest a decent pub near to the finish line or perhpas a City Centre pub might be better?
Mr Happy - Nijmegen is a marathon (marching, not running mind) a day for four days in a row. My mum did it three years in a row when she was in the Army. My dad's done it twice (also when he was in the Army). Both were a long time ago but we're aiming to do it as a mother and daughter team in a few years' time (probably when mum turns 60).
Sympathise with you Holgs. I smashed my knee up in August in a cricket-related incident (celebrated too hard at Edgbaston after the test and fell over at New Street Station!!) - didn't race again until November but oddly enough things have gone a lot better since.
Have the GNW half at Blackpool in under 3 weeks so that should give a clue.
Wow! What a night. Just got in from a swift 4.25 miles in pouring rain and serious winds. Bits blowing off trees en route. Thought I'd feel c--p during and after when I set out. Exact opposite. Felt great throughout and glad I went. Funny old game this running lark!
The McMillan calculator says I should be able to do 1:49 but as this is my first half and I'll only have run 13 miles in one go three times by race day I'll be very happy with anything under 2:00. I did 1:28 at the Llandudno 10 so if i can match that and then do another three miles at slow training pace (10m/m) I should be able to make it.
I'm planning to start off with the 9m/m pacers and stay with them as far as I can to give myself a couple of minutes leeway, although I'll probably walk the water stations like I did at Llandudno - I defintely felt it was worth being able to drink properly for the sake of the few seconds I lost - especially if its at all warm.
dont know how those calculators work stuff out? last year my 10k pb was 69 mins but I did a half in 2:18. This year my 10k pb gives me a predicted finish of 2:21?
do I just get faster the further I run? I know it doesn't feel like it. Or maybe I dont get slower!??
Comments
But realistically looking around 2.30 - 2.45
OK so I am slow but I dont care!
I think if you can run a sub 3;30 mara which is quite impressive then you should be looking at going close to 1;30.
Should be a good run!!
Hope that hill isnt a biggy!!
Its just good to know what you are facing when you dont know the area!
The only bit I didn't like was going round the traffic island at the top!
Was aiming at 95 minutes this year but a sub-33 5 miler at Alsager at the weekend insists that nearer 90 should be on the cards. Which is a bad news 'cos it means I will have to work harder this year.
One thing I noticed last year was how many went haring off in the first mile or two (maybe down to the big fun-run element). Usually I'm pushing past people for the first part of any race but last year I was nearly trampled despite lining up next to the 1:45 marker.
Holgs how are you running at the moment? Are we having a re-match?!
I reckon we can do it in 3:30 if I give her a push!
I'm running the Inverness half the week before as my first half mara race (done plenty of half mara distances in training for IM and marathon).
Injured my knee in October and then my calf at xmas - back training gently again now will be aiming for about 1:35 - 1:45 if I'm fit.
Jo - 1:35! - You get the first round in - I should be in within 10 minutes.
Can anyone suggest a decent pub near to the finish line or perhpas a City Centre pub might be better?
My mum did it three years in a row when she was in the Army.
My dad's done it twice (also when he was in the Army). Both were a long time ago but we're aiming to do it as a mother and daughter team in a few years' time (probably when mum turns 60).
A few of us went back to the Philarmonic in town last year as well.
My Mara time was 4:38 my Half PB is 1:51 so My Mara time should be more like 4 hours.
What does McMillan predict for you based on your Marathon PB?
Calculate your times
Mr Happy your marathon time will be 4:00 when you sort out those last couple of miles.
Have the GNW half at Blackpool in under 3 weeks so that should give a clue.
Just got in from a swift 4.25 miles in pouring rain and serious winds. Bits blowing off trees en route.
Thought I'd feel c--p during and after when I set out.
Exact opposite. Felt great throughout and glad I went.
Funny old game this running lark!
I'm planning to start off with the 9m/m pacers and stay with them as far as I can to give myself a couple of minutes leeway, although I'll probably walk the water stations like I did at Llandudno - I defintely felt it was worth being able to drink properly for the sake of the few seconds I lost - especially if its at all warm.
If you can stay with the pacer then they should get you in about 1:55ish.
is the start really congested? how easy is it to stay with the pace group from the start? or is it easier to find them once you're going?
do I just get faster the further I run? I know it doesn't feel like it. Or maybe I dont get slower!??