Hi. After a lifetime of hating & avoiding running, I recently ran my first half (Cardiff) @ the age of 50 in a (to me) respectable time of 1:57. Depending on where you look this is either good for a 1st, or average, but I digress..
I'm planning on doing another half in 14 weeks. There are obviously various plans out there for timed halfs, but just after thoughts on what would constitute as a reasonable target. I still very much think of myself as a beginner, so would sub 1:50 seem reasonable?
I'm not a member of a club to ask, so apologies if this seems a daft Q.
Many thanks
Comments
1:50 is a bit jump in terms of pace - about 30 seconds per mile (from 8:55 to 8:24). I'd try for sub-1:55 first (around 8:40).
14 weeks is a decent amount of time to see an improvement, by it depends on a lot of other factors. If you're new to running, you're more likely to see significant improvements fairly quickly just by running regularly and getting fitter. The longer you've been at it, the more work it takes to get improvements.
It also depends how much time and effort you are able to /want to put in to the training (ie the more training someone does, the more improvements they're likely to see), though if you're new to running, don't push things too soon - your heart /lungs /muscles can adapt quicker than your joints can, which is a fairly common cause of injuries in new/newish runners.
What sort of level of training had you been doing for your recent half? And do you have a rough idea how much training you'll be doing per week before the next half?
I'd been running on and off for a year, but had followed a standard non-time "do a half" plan in 10 weeks that had 2 slower paced short runs (I'd been doing 5k's) midweek with a longer weekend run that got longer week by week and peaked 2 weeks prior at 12m. Previously I'd been doing a fair bit of mountain biking and walk the dogs 10k twice at weekends.
I don't have a specific plan in mind yet but can do something similar with an added gym session a week and also have the option of running to & from work 2 days a week. The rest of the time is taken up by "life" such as taxiing kids about and walking the dog..
As mentioned, it's always a good idea to do some strength work too. And mobility work. And cross training. And then somehow find an extra few hours in the week to fit it all in.....
Maybe just building up the miles is the answer. If that's the answer finding time to fit everything in is the question (same as everybody)!
The runs are a bit more difficult to get time for sometimes
I agree with what Wheelyneil says - there is a huge difference in pace between doing 1:57 and 1:50 - more than 30 seconds per mile. I would aim for 1:55 initially but any PB is going to be good.
If you've done sub-2 in your first marathon then a sub-1:50 is attainable but you'll need longer and more miles. (For the record, I am 52 now and started doing half marathons in my late 40s. I am still improving so you have plenty of time).
Improvements can definitely be made through structured training. But it also depends on the day itself, how you feel, the course and the conditions. If I've learnt anything over the last year through doing a lot of halfs it's that every race presents it's own unique challenge.
As others have said 1:55 is a good target to aim for, but if your training goes well there's no reason why you shouldn't adjust that.
> Firstly - well done - it took me 13 HMs before I got under 2 hours (and a whole lot more to get to where I am now, which is just under 1:53).
> I agree with what Wheelyneil says - there is a huge difference in pace between doing 1:57 and 1:50 - more than 30 seconds per mile. I would aim for 1:55 initially but any PB is going to be good.
Thanks. Cal. I was really pleased with the 1:57. After doing zero training (other than a local trail run - also my first) and being generally gluttonous over xmas did the Victoria Park half in London in 2:01, which serves me right tbh!
Still, got a place in my first marathon - Snowdonia in October, so training for that starts.. now. I'll be sensible and aim for a 1:55 in this years Cardiff half which is a month or so before the marathon so we'll see how I get on.
Appreciate all the valued comments above - and apologies for my innate ramblings