Training for a 1/2 Marathon - Triathlon Week

wannatri · 09-22-2004, 08:49 PM

I recently signed up for a half-marathon. I've never run a race at that distance (or running race at any distance for that matter). I figure making the distance isn't going to be a problem, but I'd like to race it. I've been following a training program I found in Runner's World magazine. It consists of 25-35 miles per week, one long run, a couple days of longer intervals, and a rest day run every week. So the question is, how do you get from being an middle of the pack runner, to being a "real" competitive runner?

Zylo · 09-24-2004, 05:13 AM

What exactly do you mean by "real" competetive?

I always define myself being competetive when I set a goal for a race that I know will be hard for me to achieve, but not impossible. Example: place in the top 25 or a certain time. If I reach that goal, I know I'm being as competetive as I possibly can be. And that's always enough for me :)

Let me know what you mean by being "real" competetive and I'll post more help if I can after. Do you mean finishing in the top 10 overall? Placing on the podium in your own age category? etc?

Good luck! Post some more info up

wannatri · 10-04-2004, 09:28 PM

Hi,

I'm back ... after a week of being sick and traveling for work. Anyway, I'd like to be a better than average runner (at least for my age group). I figure average for the 1/2 will be somewhere around 8:00 or 8:30 per mile. I currently hold 9:15 while in Zone 2. I ran 5K today at a little over 7:00's, but I was obviously anaerobic. Since I've never raced, I have no idea what I should run for the 1/2.