Lifestyle Adidas Half - Call your time (and a sneak preview...)

aero2k

Hi all,

As this week was an easy week for me, I wasn't doing the usual 20 miles-with-x-miles-at-MP, so I decided to have a look at the half marathon course. As I run in the park daily, I'm familiar with nearly all the roads used, but it is different when you do the whole lot in one run. Here's my Garmin recording http://connect.garmin.com/activity/11680244 - I'm not sure if I started /finished in exactly the right place but the route is as per the course map on the race website. I think the course is a lot easier than the 10 mile, or even the 5 mile for that matter. Take the elevation data with a pinch of salt - I reckon 0-1.5 is downhill, 2-3.5 is very slightly uphill, 3.5-4 slightly downhill, 4-5 flat, 5-7.25 downhill, 7.25-8 uphill (the Kyber is sharp but not too hard), 8-10 flat or downhill (footpath very narrow just before it reaches Military road), 10-10.8 gradual uphill, 10.8-11.3 fast downhill (broken surface here), 11.3-12.3 uphill (short sharp hill at 11.3) then it's flat or downhill to the finish. My two cents worth is that if you're looking for a PB, estimate your average goal pace per mile, aim to be maybe 10 secs per mile faster than this for the first 7 miles, then hang on for the last 6. The garmin shows the elevation gain as 550ft for the 5 mile, 1100ft for the 10 mile, and 1560ft today. I think it's not very accurate, and just from a "feel" point of view I think the half marathon course is the fastest of the three.
With all my rambling I almost forgot to make a prediction. Well, I ran 1:38:48 this morning, so why not join Tunguska on the chopping block and knock 1 min per mile off - 1hr 25 it is.

RacoonQueen

I was just thinking of starting this thread. The map is HERE seems a nice flatish route, especially compared to the 5 and 10, ran that lap behind the Zoo today and last week...it's a bit dull and boring. Still have one lap where we take in the S bends and we run UP the Kyber :eek: That's something to look forward too :rolleyes: I'll be judging my time based on the Dingle half and how I react to this injury flare up. Would like a sub 1:50 but I'm totally not ready to set my heart on that. I like that we do two seperate laps it's a real mindfook when the leaders start to pass you out just before you even enter your second lap.

Edit: I've just noticed we're taking in the Furry Glen aswell, this route is completely different, should be a good one to run though.

aero2k

RacoonQueen wrote: »

ran that lap behind the Zoo today and last week...it's a bit dull and boring.

Yeah, today I noticed loads of stretches where I could look at least a mile ahead. I seem to develop tunnel vision in races though, where I focus on the people about 50m in front of me.

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Still have one lap where we take in the S bends and we run UP the Kyber :eek:

The Kyber has one steep bit but it doesn't seem as hard as the usual hills.

RacoonQueen wrote: »

I've just noticed we're taking in the Furry Glen aswell, this route is completely different, should be a good one to run though.

I did push it a bit harder on the hills but the miles with the Kyber and the Furry Glen were my fastest today. If you like downhills you can really fly down into the Glen, and it's just a short sharp push up out of it. A little further up the road and you're back on the other race routes - I hate that stretch up past the Ordinance Survey with a passion, as I'm always dying by the time I reach it.
For those who ran other races in the Park they seem to have managed to combine bits of the Bupa, DCM, Arc mens 10k, and Adidas 5/10 mile.

RacoonQueen

It is much better and much flatter than the half usually is. We'll probably see much faster times this year, especially seeing as last year was so warm.

earlyevening

I did (I think) 1:30:17 last year so it's all about the sub 1:30 this year.

rainbow kirby

Did my last half in 2:17, so I'll say 2:10 this time with a whispered target of 2:05.

Jenfer

Did last years in 2.10, based on my 10mile time Mc millan has me down for 1.59 so sub 2hrs it is! Hope its not as hot as it was at last years 13miler!!

osnola ibax

Great post op, will be reading that again in detail, it's too early to guesstimate a time...... Ok then 1:44:59 would make me very happy

Blueskye

My last half was 2.16 so hoping for a sub 2.10.

metamorphosis

I should be safe for a sub 1:35

Oisin11178

4 weeks after longford marathon but if im in good nick sub 1.35:)

colinactiveage

As the common theme is that you are all looking for half marathon PBs on an accurately measured course, then the Kilkenny Half Marathon on the 20th September could see you achieve those goals on a super course. I'm definitely biased, but the course does lend itself to good times. It may also suit some people better for the lead up to the Dublin Marathon in October.

mdlb

ran conn half in 1.44 so if training goes to plan ill hopefully do dublin in roughly the same.....maybe even a bit quicker!!

shane gickball

I reckon i will go for a sub 65 min. i would be very happy with that.

TJC

Was hoping to run around 81 mins based on mcmillans time after the 10 miler.. Was even hoping that i might get under 80 if the course is a little easier, if training kept goin well, and if conditions were right.

BUT..... the football has started up and after a hard week's training (the 10 miler took a bit out of the legs so was tired all week), and two matches yest and today (with a few beers thrown in - in between)... my hammer finally decided to give in!!!!
I would say thats me out for at least two weeks, and possibly more.
Hopefully I will get to run as all my training the last few weeks was aimed at the Half Marathon..
May have to try out that Aqua Jogging..

(Also, I think my plan of staying off the Beer for most of September has just gone out the window...)

figs

shane gickball wrote: »

I reckon i will go for a sub 65 min. i would be very happy with that.

...and what about the second 10k?

shane gickball

figs wrote: »

...and what about the second 10k?

Roughly 30 mins per each 10k.

peanuthead

Did the 10 in 2hrs, so I would like to keep that time for the Half - but I'm not sure!! Hopefully!!

osnola ibax

shane gickball wrote: »

Roughly 30 mins per each 10k.

That could win it, I'll be rootin' for you mr. Gickballs

RacoonQueen

shane gickball wrote: »

Roughly 30 mins per each 10k.

In that case, I don't think I'll bother running, I'll just wait at the finish line so I can watch you finish.

tunguska

aero2k wrote: »

With all my rambling I almost forgot to make a prediction. Well, I ran 1:38:48 this morning, so why not join Tunguska on the chopping block and knock 1 min per mile off - 1hr 25 it is.

Thats the spirit aero!! He who dares wins.

Feeling good lately so Im gonna put my genitals on the block once more and shoot for 1:15.

harrymchoudi

shane gickball wrote: »

Roughly 30 mins per each 10k.

:eek: you got to be joking?

shane gickball

RacoonQueen wrote: »

In that case, I don't think I'll bother running, I'll just wait at the finish line so I can watch you finish.

you wont know what i look like, so i´ll make a v sign with both hands as i cross the line. this will verify my time.

shane gickball

harrymchoudi wrote: »

:eek: you got to be joking?

Trust me. If i was joking, you would be dying of laughter.

RacoonQueen

shane gickball wrote: »

you wont know what i look like, so i´ll make a v sign with both hands as i cross the line. this will verify my time.

I'm sure I'll know you just by your utter brilliance. I mean, 65 minutes, thats better than the winner from the last two years...and with the flatter course you could probably come close to 60. [/replying to wind up]

Peanuthead, that's the spirit. You've still got plenty of time to work towards that aswell. Best of luck.

harrymchoudi

That sort of post doesnt wind me up (if you are joking, I dont really care). If you are serious and capable, I wish you the very best of luck, that would be an excellent time/acievement.
I myself am hoping for a sub 1:15

shane gickball

harrymchoudi wrote: »

That sort of post doesnt wind me up (if you are joking, I dont really care). If you are serious and capable, I wish you the very best of luck, that would be an excellent time/acievement.
I myself am hoping for a sub 1:15

Cheers big ears.

daymobrew

I did 1:32:45 last year for my first half marathon. As the course appears to be flatter, I would love to go sub 1h30m. I had PBs in the 5 and 10 this year so beating last year's time will be another PB.

Git101

McMillan reckons I should do 1.38.43 but I think he's wrong so I'll predict 1.38.40..

RacoonQueen

Based on my 10 miler time McMillan has me down for 1.52, if I put more effort in I'd want to go sub 1:50...lets not go overboard though.

belcarra

I'm doing the Louisburgh to Westport Half Mara in 2 weeks time and am hoping for sub 1hr 45 on that.
I know Dublin will be a bit tougher of a course so if I could get the same time in Dublin I'd be very happy.
Current PB is approx 1hr 48min in the Park.

jlang

I've a 1:36:09 from Connemara this year and I should be faster now although I've had very few outings longer than 10Mi since April. 1:30 is probably a step too far but I'd never say never, especially if everything goes right on the day and I fall in with someone running the appropriate pace.

louthandproud

<1:45 hopefully....

Really like the look of the course this year.

hisholinessnb

First one, did the 5m in 37.18, missed the 10 mile due to injury.
will aim for 2 hour so I can pat myself on the back if I beat that

smmoore79

Did the Cavan to Arva 20k (actually 22k on G Maps) in 1 hr 30 mins. Very hilly course. So based on that I will aim for 1 hour 20 mins.

Mr Marenghi

smmoore79 wrote: »

Did the Cavan to Arva 20k (actually 22k on G Maps) in 1 hr 30 mins. Very hilly course. So based on that I will aim for 1 hour 20 mins.

You did the Cavan to Arva run ? Im from Cavan and seen it but was away that weekend.

Very hilly after Ballinagh, it went up past Ballinagh football pitch, that really steep hill right ?

smmoore79

Not from Cavan myself, but i remember running through Ballinagh. Very hilly after that town. Makes the Phoenix park hills look almost flat! Pretty tough course all the same..

Art of Noise

smmoore79 wrote: »

Did the Cavan to Arva 20k (actually 22k on G Maps) in 1 hr 30 mins. Very hilly course. So based on that I will aim for 1 hour 20 mins.

Not that i'm running this race in the Phoenix Park but to take you up on that point; Did you notice that too? about the distance,. I agree that it must have been 22k. I remember thinking it seemed to take longer for the km signs to appear between Cavan and Ballinagh up the N55 as I was planning 5 minute per km pace and it was taking me at least 5 and a half in the early stages. Besides, I have been on that road enough to know that it is more than 7k form Cavan to Ballanagh. In the end I did it in 1.48.

smmoore79

Art of Noise wrote: »

Not that i'm running this race in the Phoenix Park but to take you up on that point; Did you notice that too? about the distance,. I agree that it must have been 22k. I remember thinking it seemed to take longer for the km signs to appear between Cavan and Ballinagh up the N55 as I was planning 5 minute per km pace and it was taking me at least 5 and a half in the early stages. Besides, I have been on that road enough to know that it is more than 7k form Cavan to Ballanagh. In the end I did it in 1.48.

Yeah,dont know why they dont call it the Cavan half marathon! i got suspicious when i passed a '20km to Arva' roadsign after running for about 2 km. A very enjoyable run all the same.

tunguska

Is it the same course as last year? It'd be great if it was, then you could acurately compare times from last year and this year.

Kinda worried about the t-shirt thing though. Might ask for a large at the finish instead of a medium. The shirt I got at Frank Duffy was seriously small for a medium.

stick_figure

I'll take any Frank Duffy small t-shirts off peoples hands, I love it! First time I've ever been able to wear a race shirt (although I've gotten some strange looks when I've worn it as I always look like I'm about to keel over when I'm out running)

aero2k

tunguska wrote: »

Is it the same course as last year? It'd be great if it was, then you could acurately compare times from last year and this year.

No, last year had a short loop on the north side of the park for about 3 miles, then the rest was similar to the 10 mile. This year the loop on the north side is bigger, there are no difficult hills until 7.5 miles, and there are less hills in total.

tunguska wrote: »

Kinda worried about the t-shirt thing though. Might ask for a large at the finish instead of a medium. The shirt I got at Frank Duffy was seriously small for a medium.

I'm 5'11", 68 kg and with a narrow chest and shoulders. I went for the large and while it's not skin tight, I wouldn't want it a whole lot smaller.

louthandproud

tunguska wrote: »

Is it the same course as last year? It'd be great if it was, then you could acurately compare times from last year and this year.

Kinda worried about the t-shirt thing though. Might ask for a large at the finish instead of a medium. The shirt I got at Frank Duffy was seriously small for a medium.

Went for a medium in both the 5 mile and the 10 mile, first one fitted perfectly but the 10 mile one was about 6" too short and 6" shorter than the 5 mile version.

tunguska

aero2k wrote: »

I'm 5'11", 68 kg and with a narrow chest and shoulders. I went for the large and while it's not skin tight, I wouldn't want it a whole lot smaller.

Think I'll definitely go for the large because the guy I run with knows Jim aughney who told him that the T-shirts for the half were ordered before Frank Duffy. Which means they havent changed anything as a result of the smaller sizes given out in that race. You never know though, I mean the ones from the 5-mile race were perfect so its strange that the 10 mile ones were off.........

Training was going well for this but fell off the bike yesterday(damn cleats.......again)and my knee is killing me. Hopefully I havent done any bone damage. Plus I found out I had an infection so I had to start taking antibiotics yesterday which Im not happy about. I never take pills but I figured if I didnt I might hamper my race performance. Will antibiotics weaken me physically or cause a disruption to training at all?
Sorry, bit of a stream of counsciouness moan in that last paragraph:)

8ofSpades

I'm going for a sub 2h30 myself
and if that doesnt happen I just want to finish ahead of the Pears

MrJones

I did the Frank Duffy 10 in just over 60 minutes. Great race, really enjoyed that, especially the shower at 7 miles!
Not sure about the Dublin half. Would love to do a 1.15.
1.18 is probably more realistic.

MrJones

shane gickball wrote: »

I reckon i will go for a sub 65 min. i would be very happy with that.

That would be a great time. What sort of mileage are you doing per week?
You must be doing close on a 100...

tunguska

MrJones wrote: »

That would be a great time. What sort of mileage are you doing per week?
You must be doing close on a 100...

I think that guy was waffling so dont waste your time.

Good time in Frank Duffy, well done. Im aiming for 1:15 in the half aswell.

franny1

shane gickball wrote: »

I reckon i will go for a sub 65 min. i would be very happy with that.

Are you Josphat Boit by any chance?

figs

franny1 wrote: »

Are you Josphat Boit by any chance?

I doubt it... maybe the driver of the pace car.

Metar

I'm very interested to see that everyone reckons the course is more benign than last years course. The course may not be as hilly, but I think it has steeper shorter hills later on in the race than usual. Also, I think that there are a number of short very sharp turns that are a bit of a nuisance.

Overall I think this course is going to be a bit tougher than previous years and wouldn't be surprised if the times are slower.

Anyone agree?