Possible time for half, advice please!

sibeen99

Hi Guys,
I am looking for advice on what time I could aim for next Sat for half marathon. I ran my last half in December in 1:55. I haven't done many long runs lately, 8 miles once a week has been the max. I have been doing plenty other training, swimming, cycling, shorter runs and core work. My best time for 5miles is 38.34 and McMillian is giving a half marathon time of 1:50. Is this too ambitious do you think, given that I haven't done a lot of long runs?

Thanks

RoyMcC

Five minutes is a fair chunk to take off your last time, especially as you've not got the miles in. In your shoes I'd probably go off at 1.50 pace (8.23m/m) but expect to struggle late on. Good luck though.

sibeen99

RoyMcC wrote: »

Five minutes is a fair chunk to take off your last time, especially as you've not got the miles in. In your shoes I'd probably go off at 1.50 pace (8.23m/m) but expect to struggle late on. Good luck though.

Thanks RoyMcC,
I did think it may be too ambitious and wondered if I would be better to start slower and maybe pick up the pace if I can later on. When I ran the half in December I ran the last 5 miles or so in agony due to injury. It was an IT band injury that had been niggling for ages and wasn't helped by my jarring that foot on a cats eye No injury worries at the minute so hopefully that's in my favour!
Thanks again, I may head out at 1:50 pace and see what happens...

Darren 83

sibeen99 wrote: »

Thanks RoyMcC,
I did think it may be too ambitious and wondered if I would be better to start slower and maybe pick up the pace if I can later on. When I ran the half in December I ran the last 5 miles or so in agony due to injury. It was an IT band injury that had been niggling for ages and wasn't helped by my jarring that foot on a cats eye No injury worries at the minute so hopefully that's in my favour!
Thanks again, I may head out at 1:50 pace and see what happens...

I wouldn't be too Ambitious if you haven't put the miles in, go easy on the first half then see how you are after that

ThePiedPiper

Sibeen,
I don't thing you should head out at PB pace if you've not got the long runs and other work done to back it up. The McMillan times are dependant on doing the required work on the various distances, and even at that, can be hard to achieve going up the distances. I think you'll have a much more enjoyable race if you go out at 1:57 or 1:58 pace, and if you're feeling good after 8 miles, you can move on a bit.

sibeen99

Thanks Darren83 and RunForestRun,

Ye might be right, maybe it would be better to start off easy and then if I am feeling it pick up the pace a bit later on. My main fear is finishing the race thinking I couldv've given a bit more! I guess I'll have to see how the day unfolds.

Thanks again