Zoom m
Key HM sessions 7/21/2008 7:53AM Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I am doing my first half marathon and am looking for some key sessions to run in the months leading up.
I am currently at 90 miles a week with a session and a long tempo. Am thinking i'll go between 90 and 100 in August and early september.

I know this may have been asked before but i'd love all input.

Would love to break 66 mins!
AsA
RE: Key HM sessions 7/22/2008 2:21AM - in reply to Zoom m Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
About 6 weeks out you should try running 3 x 2miles of a mile jog recovery. Should be 15-20 secs faster per mile than your 10 mile tempo pace.
Grinchy
RE: Key HM sessions 7/22/2008 2:31AM - in reply to Zoom m Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
You need a few fast long sunday runs as well.
Like 80 pace for 20 miles.
That with a tempo and a speedier session is a good idea
Hadd
Hadd's bio
RE: Key HM sessions 7/22/2008 5:29AM - in reply to Grinchy Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Can't do better than these (especially the longer sessions marked with an asterix *)

6 x 800m at 104% of 5k pace with everything from equal time recovery (down to) 1:15-1:30 recovery.
5-6 x 1k at 5k pace with 200m jog recovery in 90 secs
3 x 3k at 95-96% of 5k pace with 800m jog recovery *
2 x 5k at 93-94% of 5k pace with 800m jog recovery *
8k at 92% of 5k pace *
16-20k at 88-90% of 5k pace *

Taken from the Cabral & Hadd thread, an ongoing discussion that believes there's more than one way to skin a cat (with — in these politically correct times — apologies to cat lovers everywhere)

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=2375989
MTH
RE: Key HM sessions 7/22/2008 5:29AM - in reply to Zoom m Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Zoom,

Here is my input on key half marathon sessions.

Tempo/threshold key sessions:
1) 4 x 2 mile w 400 jog recovery
2) 5 mile run at half marathon race pace
3) 10 miles tempo run at marathon pace

Speedwork key sessions:
1) 8 x 1000 w 400 jog recovery
2) 5 x 1 mile w 800 jog recovery
3) 20 x 400 w 200 jog recovery

Long Runs:
1) 20 miles at easy pace
2) 16-18 miles at steady state pace (30-45 seconds per mile slower than half marathon pace)
3) 16-18 miles progression (start easy build to last mile at race pace)

- MTH
Zoom m
RE: Key HM sessions 7/23/2008 6:13AM - in reply to MTH Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Thanks guys,

Especially MTH and Cabo.

Those are a great help.

Basically i have been running pretty high mileage for about ten weeks (80-90mpw) with tempos and grass reps but I feel the grass reps aren't quite getting there as they arent very structured.

I really want the next 6 - 8 week period to be quality workouts accompanied by the big mileage. Although running 100mpw I want to focus on the workouts.
Teller
RE: Key HM sessions 7/23/2008 6:16AM - in reply to Zoom m Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I like 3miles hard, 3miles med (30 secs slower per mile), 3miles hard for a long tempo kind of run.
Coca Cola
RE: Key HM sessions 7/23/2008 7:23AM - in reply to Teller Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Wow, Thanks for this message Thread! I'm a 1:08 Half Guy, and Would love to Run 66 minutes for a Half Marathon! So Thanks for the posts!
Zoom m
RE: Key HM sessions 7/23/2008 7:59AM - in reply to Coca Cola Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Coca Cola,

What was your training like to run 68? Were there any key indicaters for your form leading up to the race? Did you race 10km's at all?

Also, how do you plan going from 68 to 66 (apart from the help of this thread obviously)?
coca cola
RE: Key HM sessions 7/24/2008 6:58PM - in reply to Zoom m Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Zoom,


I ran my 68 off of really not that much long training. Did alot of miles from 80-100 which varied! I'm your type of Long Distance runner, who has speed, but not 4:00 mile speed. My key workouts were 7.5-8 mile tempos, 5 x 1mi, 5x 1.5miles, 4-5 x 2miles. Nothing to special.

Now i look back and i wish i had did more of a longer run instead of just 13-15miles! more like 16-18.

Right now i am training for my first marathon in october, and i plan on racing a half in september as a tune up! I plan to do some half marathon interval aka(3-5x 2mi 6 x 1mi, 8-10x 800...etcc) I also plan on doing every other week 16-20 x 400m, the other being 10x400m Hill repeats.
While keeping my mileage around 100-115. My goal is 2:25.

So i hope my info will assist you in your path to a Sub 66.

Good Luck and Remeber, Consistancy is where the true training game is, not who can trash threw workouts!

Goodluck.
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