Half-marathon: Will I finish in time?
sarie943
Posts: 8
I just started run/walking in June and I have gotten my longest run up to 10 miles (woohoo!), but my pace is still averaging in the 15-16 min/mile. I am also 225lbs, 5'6" and worked up from a 17-18 min/mile. I do run/walk intervals and have been really working on trying to increase my pace time. The reason for this post is that I am running a half marathon in April (Nike Women's Half in D.C.) and I have recently become so worried about finishing in the 4 hr (15 min/mile) time limit. Does anyone have experience with this? Should I be worried or will I be ok if I'm running a few min late? I am continuing to train, but 4 months to go and I'm getting anxious!!!
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Replies
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Work hard, but you should be fine. Really.0
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I'm right where you are and have a marathon may 4th. So you better be fine, lol. In all seriousness though, yes, you'll be fine.0
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train but don't overtrain, you will be fine.
You have plenty of time.
As for the time limit, what does that mean? Do they stop you if you are not at a certain point at a certain time?
I am curious because in a recent run I was in there were runners that started in a corral towards the back that were under the time but were cut off anyway. Others said they didn't make the time but ran the entire thing anyway.
I do think that many runners tend to get better times (as long as they are healthy for the run) because of adrenaline. I know my time surprised me.0 -
I think you'll find the energy and excitement of the race to be hugely motivating, and that will show in your pace. Keep up the fabulous effort and you'll do just fine. Enjoy!!!
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you'll be fine. even if you do a 15 min/mile the entire way, you'll still come in at 3:15, well under the time limit. but like others said, the race day adrenaline will give you a boost.
however, keep working on it, and start working on your speed!0 -
There's a training tool developed by Bart Yasso. Read about it here:
http://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/yasso-800s?page=single
So for a half. . cut it in half. Tada!0 -
I think you will be fine, Just don't over train like others said. You will get a boost just being part of the race pack imo. Good luck ! Running a Half or Full in DC is one of my long term goals.0
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^^^This!I think you'll find the energy and excitement of the race to be hugely motivating, and that will show in your pace. Keep up the fabulous effort and you'll do just fine. Enjoy!!!
I am running my second half in May. Good luck to you!0 -
Jealous that you got a bib! At a 16 min/mile you should be fine. Just don't get ahead of yourself on race day. Stick to your plan and your pace or you will have a hard time in the final miles. Its going to be tempting to start of faster than you should on race day.0
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4 hours is a pace of 18 minute miles.....
You should make it then. If not, why worry? You could sign up for another one and give it another try...0 -
I think you can do it. One of the nice parts about the race, is the motivation from the other people will help! Have you tried to increase your running and decrease your walking times? That may help. But you are doing great, don't worry, you will do it-- You have until April!
I am running my first half marathon in April and I have only gotten to 5.5 miles right now, but anything is possible if you work hard
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You will be fine. More than fine actually. A four hour time limit works out to an 18.5 minute mile. At your 15min/mile pace you should finish in about 3 hours 15 minutes - and you won't be the only one. Stick with your training. Be consistent but don't overdo it or over think it. I'll bet that in four months you'll take a little more off your pace without even really thinking about it.0
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Thank you all so much for all the positive responses!! My concern is that since I'll be at the back of the starters, I don't actually get the full 4 hours to finish (if I did, I'd be fine). SO I'm just hoping I don't get picked up by the sweep van, I want to finish and get that necklace!!!!!!! Good luck to everyone else running their first (and second, and third, etc) halfs!!! I'm wicked excited!!
I totally signed up for that race (entered the lottery) thinking there was no way I would get it! I think something out there felt it was my time, so here I go!!
I am thinking about doing the Surf City Half on Feb 2nd, just to get an idea of my time and see where I'm at (no time limit issue because there is also a full marathon with it).
I have also been pushing myself to run faster for longer periods of time, but with more walk breaks. I worry about running too much during training because I don't want to tire myself out too quickly for the hard miles (for me that's upwards of 6 at this point).
Love all this feedback, keep it coming!!!!!!!!!!!
:happy: :happy: 0 -
I also do the run/walk intervals and wouldn't do it any other way. When I train I take one day out of the week and just do sprinting, which has helped me pick up my pace. And yes you should do that half in February. After the race you'll be so pumped and motivated to do the other one! I love races. Good luck and have fun.0
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My 60-year-old sister (who lost 130 pounds and had previous knee & foot issues) walked her very first 1\2 marathon in November 2013 in just under 3 hours. Don't injure yourself overtraining and you should be just fine.0
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http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/half-marathon-training/8 min/mi—run 4 min/walk 35 seconds
9 min/mi— 4 min run-1 min walk
10 min/mi—-3:1
11 min/mi—2:30-1
12 min/mi—-2:1
13 min/mi—-1:1
14 min/mi—30 sec run/30 sec walk
15 min/mi—30 sec/45 sec
16 min/mi—30 sec/60 sec0 -
Had to reply cuz I saw your mention of Surf City. I ran that 1/2 (my friend did full) in 2012. I echo all the comments ... race day adrenaline will push you faster .... just don't go out too fast!!!! Most races with a time limit don't force you off the course, they just don't give you an official time (hey, not the worst thing). In any event you'll do fine, just keep the training conservative to avoid injury. I've known many marathoners that have PR'd using Galloway walk/run. Just remember WHY you're doing this and have fun ...0
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you can also download this: http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51131/Half-Marathon-Novice-1-Training-Program
Your pace during the race, at least for me, will be better then you expect. Train hard, eat well, and have fun. Good luck 0 -
I live in the DC area feel free to send me a friend request.
You can do this!!
Herb0 -
Surf City Half would be a great training run. It's fun and reasonably scenic--and as you pointed out, there won't be the pressure of a finish time limit.
I don't know anything about the Nike Half in DC but my experience is that unless there is a crucial traffic feature to the race (for example, reopening a bridge or major highway at a specific time) there is quite a bit of leeway in time limits for races. You may be asked to move to a sidewalk to finish, or possibly the aid stations might be out of water/sports drink--but usually you are allowed to proceed.
But I agree with what everyone else has said. You should be fine to finish within the limit. Train but don't overtrain and most of all--enjoy it. Adrenaline alone will probably get you to the finish well before your expected time.0 -
You got this!
I did my first half at the end of September in 3:37 minutes. I alternated between running and walking whenever I felt the urge.
The only person you are racing against is yourself! Enjoy it!0 -
LOVE all this motivation!! Thank you all!! Gotta love runners and healthy-minded people!!!!!!! :-D0
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OMG! I had to read through this thread. I started thinking to myself that my 1st goal is coming up in April and I have nothing after that. so...crazy me...why not start thinking of training for a 10k, or - (I guess my friend's words have gotten through my thick skull!?!?) GASP a 1/2 marathon!
From the looks of if, it sounds like you will be fine. Have you run in any other events? I only ask because I've done 3 5K's, 2 were events, and 1 was a "virtual" one I ran here at home. Still the same mileage, still the same chugging away, but there was something different about being in a place with other people, all with the same mindset...I found I turned my headphones down a bit & got encouragement from people next to me cheering their partners on. (I run solo, train solo on a day-to-day basis)
Just pace yourself & have fun. You can do this!! (and let us know how you do!)0 -
My 1st half is in March!!! I'm putting in the miles each week, 2 days of hardcore intervals to work on speed, and 1 long run per week. I'm also nervous but super stoked too. You got this & enjoy the journey!!!0
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Usually the course time limit starts after the last runner crosses the start line.
I do run/walk intervals too and find that the lower my intervals are, the faster I run. I have changed from 3:1 intervals to 1:1 for races and it is so much easier to maintain your pace. Give it a try and you will be amazed. Jeff Galloway does 30sec:30sec (or really short) intervals and qualified for Boston.0 -
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/half-marathon-training/8 min/mi—run 4 min/walk 35 seconds
9 min/mi— 4 min run-1 min walk
10 min/mi—-3:1
11 min/mi—2:30-1
12 min/mi—-2:1
13 min/mi—-1:1
14 min/mi—30 sec run/30 sec walk
15 min/mi—30 sec/45 sec
16 min/mi—30 sec/60 sec
I wish that was how fast I would be... I usually jog 6 min and walk 1 min, putting me at about a 14 min/mile pace lol0 -
I started making my intervals smaller too, in order to run them faster and maintain a faster walking speed. It lasted thru 7 miles the other day, so that's a plus!
I'm super excited because this is my first half AND my first race ever... well it would have been, but I then decided I want to do a race every month this year (money permitting)! Otherwise I've only done a virtual series (5 miles at the beginning of four months in a row). I'm going to hit my first 5k race sometime this month- just gotta find someone to do it with me (I feel like I want someone for a shorter run, but will do it by myself if need be!)!!
Anyone in San Diego doing a 5k some Sunday in the next couple weeks??
I think I WILL do the Surf City Half on Feb 2nd also!! Holy cow, I LOVE this journey!!!!!!!!!!0 -
I do a full marathon in May and I have doubts sometimes but I remember that I'm doing this for me. I'm accountable for me and I'm doing something about it. That's the hardest step. 15 min/mile isn't shabby so don't let it get you down. Don't forget that as you lose weight you times will naturally go down due to carrying less weight and getting fitter. I started at 225lbs and now 179lbs and times are down by almost 5 mins/mile! We all have to start somewhere - that isn't important. Its where we are headed that is!0
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this thread was great... i've only ever run a few 5ks with a 13/min mile pace and I thought I was going to die afterwards... now there is a whole crew of people who seem to think I can run the half marathon in Pittsburgh with them... I think they are nuts and asked them to give me a month to see what I could do... my goal is actually to train at a slow pace (14 min mile) and get my endurance up and then go from there... 3 day a week runs with some cross training... if I can get up to 6-7 miles by the end of the month maybe I'll consider it but the encouragement from those of you on here is fantastic!0
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I wish that was how fast I would be... I usually jog 6 min and walk 1 min, putting me at about a 14 min/mile pace lol You'll be faster than you think in a race.
There's always someone that needs to be passed.
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