I'm training for Chicago October 8th. I'm shooting for a mid 2:20's time. My half PR is in the 1:09's and my training so far this cycle has been going decently well, so I'd like to take a shot at breaking my half PR. However there isn't really any good half's i can find between now and full at Chicago. The Philly half is on Septmber 17th. Is that enough time between making an attempt at my half PR and the full? Or is that just foolish
It's 3 weeks before - I think you should be good.
wantfasterresults wrote:
I'm training for Chicago October 8th. I'm shooting for a mid 2:20's time. My half PR is in the 1:09's and my training so far this cycle has been going decently well, so I'd like to take a shot at breaking my half PR. However there isn't really any good half's i can find between now and full at Chicago. The Philly half is on Septmber 17th. Is that enough time between making an attempt at my half PR and the full? Or is that just foolish
3 weeks is plenty of time. Screw Philly though. Rock n roll races are overpriced. Come race the Capital City Half Marathon for $60 in Lansing, MI. You can compete with me and a couple other locals for the win rather than finishing 5 minutes behind some Kenyan. Then we can discuss our Chicago race strategy. I am also looking for mid 2:20s.
Try the River Run half marathon in Cleveland. It is a half-only. Net-downhill course (slightly) that goes right down the Cleveland Metroparks. One way course!
http://www.hermescleveland.com/roadracing/riverrun/index.php
The Cleveland race is on September 10th, so that puts you four weeks out instead of three.
Clevelander wrote:
The Cleveland race is on September 10th, so that puts you four weeks out instead of three.
Hmmm... not to make this thread ALL about me, but that does sound like a good option. 4 weeks out is probably preferable to 3 weeks out, right?
I'd have no qualms about racing a half 3 weeks out, except at that point in the training cycle, I'm usually pretty close to redlining and often not feeling crisp, just clanoring for the taper.
wantfasterresults wrote:
I'm training for Chicago October 8th. I'm shooting for a mid 2:20's time. My half PR is in the 1:09's and my training so far this cycle has been going decently well, so I'd like to take a shot at breaking my half PR. However there isn't really any good half's i can find between now and full at Chicago. The Philly half is on Septmber 17th. Is that enough time between making an attempt at my half PR and the full? Or is that just foolish
Three weeks I too close. Loads of people will tell you it is okay but I totally disagree. Four weeks out would be better but even then I would be running it at marathon pace.
At that point in your training cycle the work is done. Why throw it away chasing a HM PR? Save it for the main event.
Half marathon is Totally ridiculous.
You'll shoot your eye out.....
Run a 15k all out 4 weeks before.
Your marathon will be precisely 3x your 15k time.
I did these equations studying 1000's of races when I worked for Nike in the 80's.
Lopes had no problems following this program....,,