1/2 Marathon strategy

joehempel

So I'm going to try something on Sunday when I run my 2nd Half Marathon in Cincinnati.

Instead of just going and going for as long as I can before I have to take a walk break, I think I might push harder than I would for say....1 mile, then walk for :30-:45, rinse and repeat. I think the scheduled walk breaks might keep me a bit more "fresh".

I did intervals when I first started running, and it worked okay. I'm looking to run in under 2:10, I was at 2:13 last October in my first Half Marathon. But at about mile 8-9 I got injured and couldn't run more than .5 miles at a time after that.

Then maybe depending on my time at mile 10, just start running the last 3.1.

Then again, this could all go out the window on race day depending on how I "feel" during the race LOL.

Any thoughts?

WatchMomRun

I also run intervals and LOVE them!! I would not do it any other way. I've run a half marathon straight though and was slower than when I starting injecting walk breaks.

I highly recommend taking them right at the start of your race. It is easy to get caught up in the fun of the race and want to just keep going because you are feeling good, but starting the walk breaks at the first mile is the best way I've found to keep feeling fresh til the end.

You're a little faster than me. I run 3 minutes and walk 1 and that puts me at about a 2:20 time but I run my run intervals slow. My running companion just ran a 1:58 half marathon running a 4:1 interval so it just depends on your speed at the run interval.

Good luck in Cincinnati! I'm heading that way soon to do the Flying Pig Marathon in May. I'm doing the Atlanta Georgia Half this weekend and being from Florida I am worried about their hills:)

scottb81

Your plan sounds good. If you are planning on using walk breaks it is better to start them from the beginning than wait until you have to do them because you can't run any further.

grinch031

I have no idea if this is an effective strategy, but personally I wouldn't do it. I'd worry that your running at a higher intensity will burn too much glucose instead of running more steady state at a lower intensity. What works best for me is negative splits (ie. run the 2nd half faster than the 1st half). Conserving energy is a good thing.

WatchMomRun

I have no idea if this is an effective strategy, but personally I wouldn't do it. I'd worry that your running at a higher intensity will burn too much glucose instead of running more steady state at a lower intensity. What works best for me is negative splits (ie. run the 2nd half faster than the 1st half). Conserving energy is a good thing.

That's what GU and or Gatorade are for. Or my personal favorite, Swedish Fish : )

joehempel

I'm definitely gonna give this a shot... thanks for the tips in thanks for the advice

I did a little test yesterday And I was able to keep my average pace under 9 minutes a mile even with the walk breaks.

My main goal in doing this is staying under 10 minutes per mile

arc918

Here's the thing, if your goal is to run 10 minute miles, then you shouldn't be running 9 minute miles and trying to hold on. Try the walk breaks if you see fit, but mile 1 or 2 should not be your fastest mile of the race. Start steady and easy, pick up the pace late in the race. No need to fade if you manage your pace and your energy.

Good luck!

joehempel

Oh no doubt! My thought is if Im running 9:30 miles for a mile or so, then walking for :30, I would stay fresh. 9:30 isnt pushing a large pace for me. I just am trying to avoid what I did last time. Went out way to fast. I have a better grasp of my pace, but not as good as it should be.

jillybean9881

I once ran a 1/2 where I ran the first 5 miles, then took a walk break, and then I took a walk break every 2 miles thereafter. It worked out well for me!