Which is easier sub 40 10k or sub 90 HM?

They are fairly equal, a 90 minute half is a tad easier according to most performance charts. However, I would argue that the 90 minute half would be harder for most people. Someone around that fitness level probably isn't running a whole lot of miles, so they would probably struggle more at the longer distance.

Sub 90 HM, provided you are getting in decent mileage.

Like most, I'd say very very close. First time I ran sub 40, I ran first sub 90 two weeks later (39:20 / 1:27:30). I've never run sub 90 when I couldn't also do sub 40, and vice versa.

If you do a regular run of 20km, then the half is probably oh so slightly easier. I have never run under 39, but have run 1:26.

Sub 90 min half marathon is the easier.

There have been a few times in my life when I have taken 6 months off from running and then started back up. It takes me about 4 weeks to get into sub-40 10k shape from there, but it would be more like 6-8 weeks to build up to a sub-90 half.

Sub 90 by quite a bit.

Ditto

"Someone around that fitness level probably isn't running a whole lot of miles"

Can't say I agree with that, you either need to be pretty fit and be running quite a lot of miles (~40) or have good genes you're not taking advantage of to run a Sub40 or Sub90/HM.

GOAT2BE wrote:

Ditto

"Someone around that fitness level probably isn't running a whole lot of miles"

Can't say I agree with that, you either need to be pretty fit and be running quite a lot of miles (~40) or have good genes you're not taking advantage of to run a Sub40 or Sub90/HM.

... and age and gender are both relevant.

1:30 HM is about 66% age grade for a 25 year old man, but about 95% age grade for a 60 year old woman.

better jogger wrote:

Sub 90 HM, provided you are getting in decent mileage.

Most people running those times aren´t getting decent mileage in. That´s why you see more people running sub-40 10k.

both 2 easy

TrackBot! VDOT 39:59 10 km

TrackBot! VDOT 1:29:59 half marathon

VDOT for 39:59 10km: 52

Equivalent race times based on VDOT:

Marathon: 03:04:32

Half marathon: 01:28:31

15K: 01:01:28

10K: 00:39:58

5K: 00:19:17

3Mi: 00:18:35

2Mi: 00:12:03

3200m: 00:11:58

3K: 00:11:10

1Mi: 00:05:38

1600m: 00:05:36

1500m: 00:05:13

VDOT for 1:29:59 21.0975km: 51

Equivalent race times based on VDOT:

Marathon: 03:07:36

Half marathon: 01:30:01

15K: 01:02:31

10K: 00:40:39

5K: 00:19:36

3Mi: 00:18:53

2Mi: 00:12:15

3200m: 00:12:10

3K: 00:11:21

1Mi: 00:05:44

1600m: 00:05:42

1500m: 00:05:18

I am a bot. Info: habs.sdf.org/trackbot

A sub-40:00 10k is definitely tougher.

My prs are 88-low for the half but only 40:30 for 10k. I probably could have broken 40 when I was in 88 shape, but it wasn't a goal race and I didn't really taper.

Anyway, sub-90 is slightly easier in my experience.

I've run sub-90 many times (1:24 PR), but sub-40 only once (39:30 PR).

I tend to run my half marathons at about tempo pace. For the 10K, I find it hard to sustain a pace faster than tempo pace for very long. Thus, my half marathon pace tends to be very similar to the 10K.

So I think the reason the half marathon is easier is partly physiological and partly psychological. It just takes more will to sustain that sub-tempo, uncomfortable pace over 10K.

GOAT2BE wrote:

Ditto

"Someone around that fitness level probably isn't running a whole lot of miles"

Can't say I agree with that, you either need to be pretty fit and be running quite a lot of miles (~40) or have good genes you're not taking advantage of to run a Sub40 or Sub90/HM.

40 mpw is not a lot of miles

Tough one. While the 10k mark is superior based on various calculators, the half mark would require (for many) more running volume in training, including some kind of long run. I could see a semi talented person breaking 40 for 10k off of light training (25-30 mpw) and no long run, but I think they'd struggle to break 90 for a half without some more volume. The last 3-5 miles of a half can be hard without specific long or tempo run prep. Of course there are outliers but I'd argue those people have real talent or are doing other cross training to build their endurance.

I ran sub 90 several times and never ran sub 40

virtually the same for me