Sub 1:15 HM Possible?

No doubt you can. However, a more realistic goal for you for April would be perhaps 1:15-1:16. Do some threshold work. I had similar times to you when I ran my first half marathon in 1:16(5K PR was 16 low and 10k was 34 low). Once you get under 1:15 you really need to get comfortable with 5:40 pace. Do some fartlek workouts as well. 5:45-5:50 pace may be more of your target pace. Make sure to always keep your goals realistic. It will get you farther. And who knows, you may end up running faster. When I set my goal to break 1:10, I ended up running 1:08. Set a realistic goal, you're young and need to just get more experience racing that type of distance.

Tempo runs and longer intervals will help too.

Thanks for the response. I know I ran run under 1:16 for sure (with flat course and some competition).

I recently did a workout from Daniels 2nd ed. 15k workout (2x2M) (11:15, 11:13) with 2 minutes rest, 3x800 (2:37 per) with (400 jog rest), 3x400 (72, 71, 71) and it was a hard workout, but it was pretty comfortable.

I ran a marathon last year with a goal of sub 2:50 (I was on pace for the first 15 miles) but they didn't have any GU so I basically ran it with just gatorade/water fueling me so I have pretty good endurance but I crashed to a 2:58.

Anyone else?

you need tempo/treshold runs, different distances, 5k, 10k, 20k, even 30k long tempo runs.

GU wasn't the problem, marathon specific work was.

I'd say you can probably get 1:15, but only if you hit the tempo/threshold workouts like others are suggesting. 10k, threshold, HM, and Marathon pace work would help you prepare.

Another good workout (replace a long run) is a continuous run of either 8, 10, or 12 miles. First half is goal pace + 1 minute. Second half is goal pace. That workout (I did the 8 miles) was a perfect indicator for me as to if I was ready for a Half at that pace. The 2nd half of the run felt very close to the final 4 miles of my goal race.

What Half are you running?

Thanks for all the advice. I will add in some tempo/hm pace workouts starting next week. I just got done with indoor track and I am basicallly coaching myself (my coach is clueless when it comes to the half/marathon distance.

I think you can do it. I ran 1:16 and I was only in 16:30 5k shape, i was doing like 70-80mpw

Are you trying to get the NAIA standard?

probably safer to target 1:17 low with those workouts and that race. sub 1:15 would suggest more like 10:40s 2M repeats, 2:40 marathon or better, 16:10-15 5k.

I went back and looked at the training I did before running a 1:14 a year and a half ago, and one of the only workouts I did in the month prior happened to be 5x800m with 400 jog rest. Times were 2:31, 2:28, 2:29, 2:29, 2:24.

My half was September 25 and during August I was doing right up near 100mpw in singles with lots of hills and frequent accels/tempos at the ends of runs but no track workouts; then in September the mileage was closer to 60mpw with about one workout a week.

I believe my 5k PR at the time was in the 15:50s.

So seems 1:15 could be possible, depending on how hard those workouts were and what kind of runner you are. I tend to do better in races than my workouts predict; on the other hand, I think I could have run at least a half-minute faster with better pacing, a slightly flatter course, someone to run with, etc.

And I just realized your race isn't until April, so you have plenty of time to get faster/stronger. So my answer is yes, I do think you can/will run sub-75.

Tiger_runner wrote:

Are you trying to get the NAIA standard?

Yes.

jjjjjjj wrote:

probably safer to target 1:17 low with those workouts and that race. sub 1:15 would suggest more like 10:40s 2M repeats, 2:40 marathon or better, 16:10-15 5k.

Thanks for the response. I could of ran 1:70 low on the day I ran the 1:18 mid...it was 25 degrees that morning and plus it was not on a flat course.

Thanks for the response. I did the same workout as your 5x800 with 400 jog and I ran 2:30 for all of them with the last one being 2:28..I didnt push too hard on the workout. I have a bit of speed (1:59 800 PR).

A couple of years ago I ran 16:47 5K / 75:36 HM within a week. Considering you ran about 10s/mi faster in your 5K I would also say you have a good shot of running sub-75.