Can I BQ by 2021? Ran 1:39 half and felt I could have gone faster

You can probably do it. Get your half to 1:24 first, even if it takes 2 seasons and 60 mpw.

Ignore the people on this site who are going to insult you for being slow. You can BQ, just run twice as much mileage (without getting injured) and do your speed work.

No, you will never BQ.

You could but too early to tell... Give it a one more season of serious effort and see how you improve...

You should have at least minimum of 3 seasons of decent mileage, at least 2,000 miles a year, under your belt, to start hitting your genetic potential and point of diminishing returns...

Thanks for the good answer--3 years seems a bit long but willing to put in the effort!

I feel like we're in a very similar boat. I jumped into my first HM in May 2016, had no intentions of running the HM distance until 2 months before the race, my longest run of my life was 7 miles up to that point. I did run regularly though, maybe 3-5 miles 3x week. I ran a 1:52, was on 1:43 pace but bonked badly the last 5k. Got more serious about training with more miles in late 2016 into Spring 2017, ran a 1:39, peaked at 30 mpw that March. This past May I ran a 1:34, 20-30 mpw throughout the winter and spring. That's factoring a 6 week block with mostly eliptical and strength work as I had an odd foot, ankle flare up until end of March.

Avg'd 38 mpw for a marathon training block this summer. Time wise, I tried to maximize what I could in tough summer conditions. First attempt at marathon was TOUGH, but I believe I gained strength from it all. Hoping to get a block of 40-45 mpw this spring and will likely take another attempt at sub 1:30 before running another marathon.

If I can stay healthy, I figure I'll realistically have a BQ shot in the next couple years. Sounds like common sense, but a strong marathon will come on a cool day. When I am getting serious about a BQ, I am def finding a cold weather race. Best of luck to ya!

Thanks man! I know the time isn't great, but to nail 7:30-ish on VERY low mileage is a good start. I think I could hit 1:30 with 50-55 miles (June 1 to Oct. 21 was my training cycle).

I didn't do much speedwork--mainly tempo runs, LSD and the weekly long run. Did 10-11 miles 5x over the 4-month period and still did ok.

I know a lot of people here are much faster, but you have to start somewhere.

You're putting way too much emphasis on the meaning of mileage when it comes to a half. And I say that as a higher mileage guy.

So just focus on speedwork for the half, and then work on that first?

Mileage then for just the full, to clarify?

I just turned 35 on 11/5, so very happy (3:15 qualifying time for men age 35-39, or 7:26 pace for 26). I want to shoot for 3:05 to be safe.

Ran 37:20 for 5 mi. at relatively easy effort, after taking a few weeks off after the Cbus half. So if I am able to run tons of base mileage around 7:25-7:30, I should work my way up to it :)

EDIT: 3:10 marathon, not 3:15. But still easier than 3:05.

3:10--7:15/mile.