Is it possible for me to run a sub 80 half on 40 mpw?

I'm very interested in the replies you'll get, since I'm 31 years old and have an identical 10K PB off of roughly the same mileage, and I've run a 1:24:XX half not so long after it. I too aspire to run a sub 80 half in the upcoming months!

Yes, my buddy and I ran sub 1:20 on essentially 30-40 miles per week. Roughly 6 miles a day with a 12 mile long run, but missing days here and there due to being washed up 9-5'ers. It can certainly be done.

It's possible but it's not prefferable

day1: 13.1 mile run
day2: rest
day3: 13.1 mile run
day4. rest
day5:13.1 mile run
day6: rest
day7: rest

40mpw but structured in such a way to crush the body and force adaptation.

I wouldn't do it but you asked a theoretical question and got a theoretical answer.

Miles per week doesn’t matter as much as simply training your body to run around 3:45-3:50/km For 80 minutes. You can do that on 40 mpw. You can do that on 120 mpw. You can do that on 25 mpw.

It honestly seems like you can do it off of your current training if you choose the right course and get the right weather conditions. Generally 40 MPH may not give you a lot of wiggle room, so you've got to pace the race to perfection, but it sounds like you're already on you way to a sub 80 half with your current routine.

Sounds like you're on track and doing the right things.

I nearly managed the same - 17:15 5k; 35:30 10k and 1:21:10 half off 30mpw. Runs typically were 90min steady, 40min tempo, some 4min intervals, and some 1min reps.

It wasn't sustainable though - I don't think I had the base to keep it up long-term and got a series of niggly injuries after the half. If I'd built slower, with more easy miles, I might have been stronger.

So you think those world class runners are just wasting their time?

Come on now. Mileage matters.

I think it's possible. If I were going to cap it at 40 mpw, this is probably how I'd structure a typical week. You could do strides on any of the easy days and move the off day to whatever day makes sense, just make sure you're recovered between workouts.

Day 1- 5 miles (easy)

Day 2 - 5 miles (easy)

Day 3 - 10 miles - 3 w/u, 5 *1 mile @ 10K pace w/1/4 mile jog recovery, 1 mile c/d;

Day 4 - 5 miles easy

Day 5 - Off

Day 6 - 5 miles (easy)

Day 7 - 10 (incorporating 4-7 miles at tempo effort)

Good luck!

I did this a handful of times in high school and early college. Maybe 40 mile weeks, and "long" runs of 6-7 miles. It wasn't very fun at 9-10 miles, but by then the race I annually attended was so split up it didn't matter.

I should note though that I don't believe mileage is the only thing that matters. It is one among other factors.

Of course no problem when coached by the Magic Wizard. What matter more is what you do and what pace with your 40 mpw.

They aren't wasting their time to do it the only way they know about. But the same or even better results can be done in a smart way on less time.

The magic wizard is really magic.
He coaches a runner in sub 1h10 shape for the half and the athlete runs 1h14.
And then he fails to acknowledge his shortcomings and ignores requests to comment on the thread he previously spammed while showing off.

Focus more on long interval sessions like 3 x 2 miles, 3 x 3 miles, 4 x 2 miles. That will get you the most bang for your buck. Then some long tempos and short speedwork as a supplement.

Anything is possible with Jesus in your heart

Easy explained. The runner got sick and wasn't full recovered yet when race.

I ran a 2:36 marathon on 35 MPW. What you are asking is easy to do.

naw i ran sub 1:20 half on like 30 mpw when i was new to running, think our training back then was ---- sunday off/lighteasy

monday 7 longrun

tuesday 3 mile tempo

wednesday very short easy run

thursday some harder intervals

friday another easy run

saturday race if during xc season

my point is, yeah 7-8 imo was kinda a good long run length. I know I hadn't ran longer than 10 miles before i ran that half marathon

Im 44. Restarted running at almost 43 after a dozen years off. Got up to 55 miles but mostly 42-49 miles for cycle. Ran 1:17 on my second race. First was a neg split 1:22. So yes i think its doable for a mid 30s guy.