Who here has dropped from 1:35 half to 1:25? How long did it take you ?

I ran more and then ran some of it faster. You do at least need to know if the faster speed is feasible for your level of natural speed.

We need to know what it took to get you to 1:35 and what your basic speed is.

Went from 1:35 to 1:25 in the course of two years, and about four semi-serious attempts at the half (only run about 25 mpw, however). 1:35 aged 28, 1:25 aged 30.

My 1 mile is 5:55 - My 5k is like 20:20... My last half was 1:36:10.. Im trying to get around 1:25 eventually. I've only been running for a year and a half coming from being overweight wanting to hit 1:23-1:25 in the next year or so..

You'll need to get substantially faster as far as the shorter distances go.

For what it's worth I went from 1:29 to 1:15. And I'm fairly positive I can go a few minutes fast over the next few years.

It wasn't a big drop either. Gradual through the 1:2x's over years and same in the 1:1x's

I'm currently 30 and can say it was all because of consistent running and an increase in mileage over time.

I know this wasn't a 1:35 to 1:25 scenario but I think the same principles apply.

Here's my progression. 23/F started running in 2008.

2009: 1:39

2011: 1:34

2012: 1:30, 1:30, 1:29

2013: 1:25

Up until 2011 it was mostly base mileage, started doing some workouts in 2012 which made a big difference. 2013 just very consistent training (70 mpw with two quality days, very few injuries to interrupt me, lots of long tempos) and also found out I'd been iron-deficient for years and corrected that.

SMJO wrote:

You'll need to get substantially faster as far as the shorter distances go.

this ^^

i went from 1:46 to 1:21 to 1:16 in my 1st three years. training for the 3M/5K distance, and zero specific training, just more mileage as my 5K went down.

Over 1:35 to under 1:25 in 9 months. A few months after this I was under 1:21.

This 1:21 was this past fall and I am fairly certain I could run under 1:20 now. My goal is under 1:15 this fall.

I built up my mileage very quickly in this time. Longest week was 80 miles. I ran at least one tempo per week and one interval per week. Usually one long run per week. My longest run was 24 miles, but I think anything over 20 m hurt me because it takes so long to recover from.

I could give you more specifics when I have more time.

started running october 2010

1:34 february 2011

was in ~1:25 shape in october 2011

ran 1:21 march 2012

1:19 july 2012

1:15 may 2013

attempting 1:12 in march 2014

Not precisely the numbers you're looking at but I went from 1:36 to 1:27 in 7 months. Miles went up from about 30pw to 40pw. Did long runs up to 20. Also did lots of marathon pace running and some LT work. Basically marathon training was what did it for me.

The things is, my approach would be highly unlikely to work very well for you because I came from a team sport (rugby) and while I wasn't very fit my speed was plenty good enough to run under 1:30 I just needed endurance. You on the other hand need speed. If you work on getting your 5k down to sub-19 you should be in the ballpark of a 1:25 half when you add endurance. JD's plans are as good a place as any to start.

Hi Reed,

How is your training like? In terms of mileage and types of workputs?

Impressive stuff, reed.