Just go for it! I disagree with most and think if you are seeing improvement and have been training for half/marathons then you have a shot. Who cares if you blow up.
Just go for it! I disagree with most and think if you are seeing improvement and have been training for half/marathons then you have a shot. Who cares if you blow up.
Can't Wait wrote:
I think people are giving OP grief based on their proposed strategy. They want to go out at sub 1:20 pace, while others have alluded to starting in the 6:10-6:15 and then dropping down later in the race (if possible).
A sure fire way to catch a ride on the struggle bus during a race is to go out too fast. OP also said it's their 2nd half-marathon so I think others are trying to give advice so OP doesn't have to learn the hard way.
Either way we are all looking forward to the outcome.
Yeah, this! I want OP + everyone else on here to do well in their races. I think OP has a real shot to PR & maybe even come close to (sub) 1:20. But I think, based on their history + race results, that starting a distance race in control is the way to go. I've learned my lesson in the half. I ran a big PR last spring after opening conservatively through a hilly first 5k & then letting it rip. Once you start going backwards in the half or full, you start losing tons of time & it's very easy to fall off of your true potential. You can't bank time in distance races. It's important to get pacing right from the jump. When you're tapered and fresh, 6:05 pace might feel easy for OP for a few miles. How will it feel 10k-15k into the race? Better to be attacking that section of the race because you measured out your effort properly.
OP did you run your race? PR glory or a crash and burn?