I have been thinking about this quite a bit for the last half year, and now is the time to post it.I started this blog just over one year ago with the intention of tracking my journey in running from off the couch - literally! - to my ultimate goal of running a marathon. It's a good thing I have refrained from setting a date or a time limit on this because the journey in the last year is proving to be waaaay more interesting than expected, especially with all the sub-goal options along the way ...! :)
And so here it is .... another goal I am setting in my slow build-up toward 26.2 miles. I have noticed that there are a significant number of runners who work their way toward a 2:00 hour-ish half marathon before starting to train for a full marathon. This time seems to be the average time for half marathons, too, which makes good sense because the pace to accomplish this is in the sub-6 minute/km-ish zone. Therefore, I've decided that I would like to keep working at improving my speed in my fun 5Ks, 8Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons before training for a full marathon. My marker, my sign, my confidence-boosting achievement that will let me know when I am ready to start training for the full marathon will be a 2-ish hour half marathon. I say 2-ish because I want to give my goal a give-or-take of 5 minutes ... 1:54 - 2:04.
I really have my work cut out for me. :) And an elephant can only be eaten one bite at a time.
An excellent goal and one that is achievable. You are on the road to getting there. Smart way to recognize that you are ready for the next level.
ReplyDeleteConcentrate your workouts on quality first. By that I mean, Intervals, Hills and LSD's. You can do fartlek and striders as intervals at times but true intervals will really help.
I am at a point where I can go as fast as some of the other runners that I run with but what drags me down now is still too much weight. I am actively working on that but am more cautious now as I need to fuel the body for the Half training.
After the Half Mary I will not be racing until I get to the point where I can run consistently in the 4's, this will be achieved but not until I drop 20 - 30 or pounds.
You are doing many races and this may have to be cut back to really concentrate on speed work. I would for next year, if i were you, Pick 3 races to test how your speed is doing. It should pick up quick and then look at one more Half before moving on.
Keep up the excellent work, your hard work is paying off in dividends.
I'm impressed!! I have run 2 marathons and I still am not close to a sub-2:00 half marathon. For me, the endurance is easier than the speed.
ReplyDelete@Courtney - So says the very speedy runner who ran 2:04 back in March. :) I'd say you are pretty darn close to sub-2:00, especially given your speed workouts lately. I also think it works both ways - endurance for longer distances improves your speed for shorter distances, and working on speed improves your endurance for longer races. I know it's possible to train for a marathon and that this training would help me to get to a sub-2:00. It's just a personal decision to say, hey, this is what I want to accomplish first and the attainment of this goal will give me the confidence boost I need for progressing to a marathon. It's all about the journey! :) Thanks for the support!
ReplyDelete@Runnerbill - Thank you for your support as always and for your detailed comments. It gives me a lot to consider when choosing my training programs - I have my work cut out for me for the next year or so.
ReplyDeleteAnd I know where you are coming from in regard to weight - I will not be able to achieve sub-2:00 without losing a significant amount of weight. The "subliminal" goal associated with running a sub-2:00 involves losing weight. I prefer focusing on weight loss as a means to an end (goal HM) rather than as the end itself.
Thank you for sharing your goals, too - they are terrific and it's amazing how far you have come with your running. I can't even imagine running as fast you can now or plan to in the future.
Regarding the number of races I run - I couldn't disagree with you more. I am not going to give up something that has given me so much pleasure, joy and fun for the last two summers. To each their own.
Cheers!