Can I BQ by 2021? Ran 1:39 half and felt I could have gone faster

Training Advice/Discussion Marathon

5 years ago 11/08/2018 10:11pm EST

Can I BQ within 3 seasons? Ran 1:45-ish last fall for the half, then 1:39 this fall for the Cbus half and felt I went 75% effort. Had a little stitch at Mile 11 but was ok after that. The "15k to finish" portion had me running 7:28 pace (overall pace was 7:34). Started at 7:47 pace for first mile (restroom), but then consistently got faster and climbed the ladder. 37:30 for the 5 mi.; 75 flat for the 10 mi. So I can run an even race and didn't overdo it.

I did this on 26-38 mpw due to school and being super-busy. Ran 470 miles over 4 months or so. Was surprised I even went in the 7:30 range on such low volume.

How many mpw would I have to hit to get to BQ? (3:05 full/1:27-ish half)? Would I have to double to 70 or would 55-60 make it?

Should I focus on doing a 3:30 full or better, then getting better that way, or lower my 1/2 time to 1:30 or better first and then doing a full and seeing where chips fall?

5 years ago 11/08/2018 10:19pm EST

re: Christopher Columbus

You can probably do it. Get your half to 1:24 first, even if it takes 2 seasons and 60 mpw.

5 years ago 11/08/2018 10:40pm EST

re: Christopher Columbus

Ignore the people on this site who are going to insult you for being slow. You can BQ, just run twice as much mileage (without getting injured) and do your speed work.

5 years ago 11/08/2018 10:42pm EST

re: Christopher Columbus

No, you will never BQ.

5 years ago 11/08/2018 11:44pm EST

re: Christopher Columbus

You could but too early to tell... Give it a one more season of serious effort and see how you improve...

You should have at least minimum of 3 seasons of decent mileage, at least 2,000 miles a year, under your belt, to start hitting your genetic potential and point of diminishing returns...

5 years ago 11/09/2018 7:58am EST

re: KawauchiFTW

Thanks for the good answer--3 years seems a bit long but willing to put in the effort!

5 years ago 11/09/2018 8:22am EST

re: Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus wrote:
Can I BQ within 3 seasons? Ran 1:45-ish last fall for the half, then 1:39 this fall for the Cbus half and felt I went 75% effort. Had a little stitch at Mile 11 but was ok after that. The "15k to finish" portion had me running 7:28 pace (overall pace was 7:34). Started at 7:47 pace for first mile (restroom), but then consistently got faster and climbed the ladder. 37:30 for the 5 mi.; 75 flat for the 10 mi. So I can run an even race and didn't overdo it.
I did this on 26-38 mpw due to school and being super-busy. Ran 470 miles over 4 months or so. Was surprised I even went in the 7:30 range on such low volume.
How many mpw would I have to hit to get to BQ? (3:05 full/1:27-ish half)? Would I have to double to 70 or would 55-60 make it?
Should I focus on doing a 3:30 full or better, then getting better that way, or lower my 1/2 time to 1:30 or better first and then doing a full and seeing where chips fall?

I feel like we're in a very similar boat. I jumped into my first HM in May 2016, had no intentions of running the HM distance until 2 months before the race, my longest run of my life was 7 miles up to that point. I did run regularly though, maybe 3-5 miles 3x week. I ran a 1:52, was on 1:43 pace but bonked badly the last 5k. Got more serious about training with more miles in late 2016 into Spring 2017, ran a 1:39, peaked at 30 mpw that March. This past May I ran a 1:34, 20-30 mpw throughout the winter and spring. That's factoring a 6 week block with mostly eliptical and strength work as I had an odd foot, ankle flare up until end of March.

Avg'd 38 mpw for a marathon training block this summer. Time wise, I tried to maximize what I could in tough summer conditions. First attempt at marathon was TOUGH, but I believe I gained strength from it all. Hoping to get a block of 40-45 mpw this spring and will likely take another attempt at sub 1:30 before running another marathon.

If I can stay healthy, I figure I'll realistically have a BQ shot in the next couple years. Sounds like common sense, but a strong marathon will come on a cool day. When I am getting serious about a BQ, I am def finding a cold weather race. Best of luck to ya!

5 years ago 11/09/2018 11:40am EST

re: right there with ya brother

Thanks man! I know the time isn't great, but to nail 7:30-ish on VERY low mileage is a good start. I think I could hit 1:30 with 50-55 miles (June 1 to Oct. 21 was my training cycle).

I didn't do much speedwork--mainly tempo runs, LSD and the weekly long run. Did 10-11 miles 5x over the 4-month period and still did ok.

I know a lot of people here are much faster, but you have to start somewhere.

5 years ago 11/09/2018 1:05pm EST

re: Christopher Columbus

You're putting way too much emphasis on the meaning of mileage when it comes to a half. And I say that as a higher mileage guy.

5 years ago 11/21/2018 11:46pm EST

re: physics defiant

So just focus on speedwork for the half, and then work on that first?

Mileage then for just the full, to clarify?

5 years ago 11/21/2018 11:51pm EST

re: maybes have it

I just turned 35 on 11/5, so very happy (3:15 qualifying time for men age 35-39, or 7:26 pace for 26). I want to shoot for 3:05 to be safe.

Ran 37:20 for 5 mi. at relatively easy effort, after taking a few weeks off after the Cbus half. So if I am able to run tons of base mileage around 7:25-7:30, I should work my way up to it :)

5 years ago 11/22/2018 12:03am EST

re: Christopher Columbus

EDIT: 3:10 marathon, not 3:15. But still easier than 3:05.

3:10--7:15/mile.

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