7 replies to this topic

[Injured2010]

I started running seriously January this year and have just completed my 2nd half marathon over the weekend in a time of 84:52 (my first half was completed in May 85:05) so I was pleased with the improved time but had hoped for a bigger improvement.  I was still really pleased with going sub 1:25 though!

I am running about 90km per week apart from easy weeks and running 5k's, 10k's, 10mile races and hope to complete a marathon but due to work commitments this is now looking like it will be 2012 rather than October this year as planned.  I am expecting by the end of the year I will have ran a sub-18 5k, a sub-37 10k and around 63 mins for 10 mile. What improvements do people realistically think I can expect in 2012 & 2013 for a half?

I know it is hard because there are so many variables to consider but what would be achievable for the average person?

[halfwaydown]

Try popping your target times in a Macmillan Calculator. I did recently with a new marathon pb time and it was scarily accurate on my pb times for half, 20k and 10k.

[chrizz84]

there is no answer to this question and you know that.I went from unfit over weight and unable to run 2 km to running an 86 min half in just over a year.I dont want people to tell me what i can and cant do next year based on what others have done or what a computer says is posible just go for it

[Injured2010]

chrizz84, on 16 August 2011 - 12:45 PM, said:

there is no answer to this question and you know that.I went from unfit over weight and unable to run 2 km to running an 86 min half in just over a year.I dont want people to tell me what i can and cant do next year based on what others have done or what a computer says is posible just go for it

Yeah you are probably right I do know there isn't really an answer for the question but I was hoping someone was going to come on a give an example of them going from 1:25 to 1:15 (or even lower) within a 2 year period.  I am happy that I am working with the right people and giving my best to give it a good go so will hopefully see some good gains during the next 2 years.

[Injured2010]

halfwaydown, on 16 August 2011 - 10:32 AM, said:

Try popping your target times in a Macmillan Calculator. I did recently with a new marathon pb time and it was scarily accurate on my pb times for half, 20k and 10k.

cheers yeah this is good for my mile time and half but is a little out with my 5k and 10k times which it has higher than I know I have achieved, and can achieve in the next few weeks.  so if I put in my 10k time it shows what is possible (in theory) for a half now if I can build on my endurance.

[chrizz84]

Injured2010, on 16 August 2011 - 05:00 PM, said:

Yeah you are probably right I do know there isn't really an answer for the question but I was hoping someone was going to come on a give an example of them going from 1:25 to 1:15 (or even lower) within a 2 year period.  I am happy that I am working with the right people and giving my best to give it a good go so will hopefully see some good gains during the next 2 years.

also you asked what an average person could expect however i dont think you think you are average person and many on here would agree as a sub 1 hour 25 is fast for how long you have been training.so it would be very hard to guess how the next year would pan out for you.some say it takes 3 years to reach full potentual so i wouldnt worry about your progress yet as us beginners have a long way to go good luck

[UnfitnessFanatic]

Im glad someone asked this sort of question as I am at the moment trying to set myself a realistic goal for the half in Melbourne this year.

My view is there are to many variables to try and predict what you might be able to run in 6 months + time.  Depending on your body type, training program, possible injuries etc they could all have a massive effect on your results.  You are better off taking each race as it comes and evaluating after that performance.  There is no reason why you couldn't go sub80 or sub75 with the right training in time but taking the small steps to build to it will be the only way to achieve it.  Setting goals now which are out of reach (on current form) could lead to overtraining or loss of motivation.

I started the year with a goal of going sub90 min in the Melbourne Half.  After recent performances I have re evaluated with my coach to go sub 84, now after the C2S on the weekend (52.34) I would like to aim a little higher in trying to go sub 80.  Using the running calculators it shows I need to improve a bit to achieve this but as you know these aren't always accurate so I guess only time will tell.

[Kato]

Injured2010, on 16 August 2011 - 06:50 AM, said:

I started running seriously January this year and have just completed my 2nd half marathon over the weekend in a time of 84:52 (my first half was completed in May 85:05) so I was pleased with the improved time but had hoped for a bigger improvement.  I was still really pleased with going sub 1:25 though!

I am running about 90km per week apart from easy weeks and running 5k's, 10k's, 10mile races and hope to complete a marathon but due to work commitments this is now looking like it will be 2012 rather than October this year as planned.  I am expecting by the end of the year I will have ran a sub-18 5k, a sub-37 10k and around 63 mins for 10 mile. What improvements do people realistically think I can expect in 2012 & 2013 for a half?

I know it is hard because there are so many variables to consider but what would be achievable for the average person?

Your running has obviously gone ahead in leaps and bounds since the beginning of the year.  Sometimes our times plateau as our training consolidates, sometimes we reach a plateau because it's the limit of what we'll achieve with our talents and the training that we're doing.  Don't stress too much about getting a huge PB every time you run, especially in a road race like a half marathon, where conditions can vary so much from race to race and play a big part.  You may also find that you'll suddenly get a huge improvement for almost no additional effort - it's the nature of our physiology.

Having said that, if you have ambitious goals get under the wing of the best coach you can catch the eye of / can afford.  In Australia, I would suggest going to the Australian Track and Field Coaches Association, ATFCA.  There would be a similar organisation in the UK to help you find a coach.

Oh, and don't be in such a rush to do a marathon, especially if you're keen on improving your speed as well.  For many people marathon training speeds them up, but that's because they've never trained hard before.  You're obviously not in that category.  You may find the increased distances slows you down.