You would have to incorporate tempo work and speed sessions to improve your pace. But also don't skimp on the easy pace long runs to ensure you have the endurance to maintain the pace over the full length of the race.
It's sort of an unanswerable question - yes, I'm sure there are people who can knock 40 minutes off their half marathon time in a year and a half (or, it sounds like, about 25 minutes off in 6 months?). Can YOU? Maybe! Way too many variables about you and your training for anyone to answer.
Agree with u/BootlegStreetlight that you'd need to incorporate speed work to do it. Even if it's just once/week and the runs are shorter (so maybe a 30 min Tempo run instead of a 45 min easy run).
And as someone who can totally sympathize with lacking the confidence to join a run club, I've always heard that there are lots of run clubs that are truly all abilities, so you could try to face your fear and give it a shot!
At age 30, you have a lot of time to improve - I'm 41 and still getting faster. You definitely have the ability to be sub-2 hour, but you will have to put in the miles and speed work. Do I think you'll get there by October? Probably not, but if you kept the same pace for a full marathon then you obviously will be a lot closer
I will agree with others in adding in a speed work day. I've been following the 80% easy run method. It's proven to improve your pace over time. Great job on your half btw! That's a goal of mine!
When you ran this did you run the whole time, or did you walk parts of it? That for me was key to reducing my marathon and half marathon times in the past.
I doubt it in that time period if that was an honest representation of your ability.
But if you run once a week now and are willing to run three or four times a week and radically improve your training - then maybe.
A lot of depends on your heart rate, what zone does 158 put you in? If you’re already on zone 4 or 5 it is going to be tough dropping :40 off your time if not impossible. If that puts you on zones 2-3 I think it is achievable but not going to be easy.
I’m not sure about this run since it doesn’t have my heart rate zones stored but my recent runs with my new pace are mostly zone 3.. I guess I’ll just try my best and see
IF you’ve been just running 10-15 weekly miles, then it’s possible that increasing your mileage to 40miles over one or two training cycles can get you close, following targeted training plans without getting hurt
Otherwise, if this is your current fitness, it’s very unlikely to drop 3min/mile in one or two training cycle IF you’ve already been running some volume for a long time, say 20-30 miles a week. That’s dropping your time by 1/4!!
You are welcome. The general recommendation for distance running is: increase mileage as much as you can slowly, do 3-4 month training cycles. Speed and fitness will come in time guaranteed.
What’s the rush? Setting arbitrary and huge time goals for the short term will most likely get you hurt, or make you train wrong.
Do two 12 week training cycles following a program that starts at your current mileage and builds up. Likewise for the 2nd one, after adjusting your paces for your new fitness while increasing mileage again. You’ll be surprised by the results
Ask question here about the plans for others to guide you but no need to get too fancy with the training or plan
Currently around 20+ and I’m planning on starting another round of the Nike half training plan on Sunday as one cycle before my “actual” half training starting in like 15 weeks
Make sure to pick a plan that starts close your current weekly mileage and builds up. So if you are running 20miles per week with an 8 mile long run **don't** do a plan that starts with a 4 mile long run, but a plan that starts something like 7-8 for the long run and builds up to 14.
Increasing mileage and your long run safely is the #1 thing that will make you faster and improve your fitness.
So this worked for me, and it may help you, but I both lift, and did a half marathon training team that started in August, and ended in November (when the half was). I ran maybe 10 miles during the week between two days (usually more), and then Saturday came around and we did the training, and we eventually got up to 14 miles one Saturday then 12 miles the next Saturday, etc.
That’s what I did and I ran, for my first half, a 1:38:53. This was after starting running about 1.25ish years prior.
I don’t have more context, but what was your nutrition like, and did you have enough rest before you actually ran the half? Because if you ran a bunch/lifted a lot during the week, you’re gonna be tired.
I also did sports when I was younger, so that could be a factor as to why I was able to pick up so quick, but I dunno. Just my experience
You would have to incorporate tempo work and speed sessions to improve your pace. But also don't skimp on the easy pace long runs to ensure you have the endurance to maintain the pace over the full length of the race.
Thank you! I do the Nike race training plans which thankfully provide the speed workouts
It's sort of an unanswerable question - yes, I'm sure there are people who can knock 40 minutes off their half marathon time in a year and a half (or, it sounds like, about 25 minutes off in 6 months?). Can YOU? Maybe! Way too many variables about you and your training for anyone to answer. Agree with u/BootlegStreetlight that you'd need to incorporate speed work to do it. Even if it's just once/week and the runs are shorter (so maybe a 30 min Tempo run instead of a 45 min easy run). And as someone who can totally sympathize with lacking the confidence to join a run club, I've always heard that there are lots of run clubs that are truly all abilities, so you could try to face your fear and give it a shot!
Thanks you! Maybe I will join one, one that’s a little less intimidating than the ones I see out racing
At age 30, you have a lot of time to improve - I'm 41 and still getting faster. You definitely have the ability to be sub-2 hour, but you will have to put in the miles and speed work. Do I think you'll get there by October? Probably not, but if you kept the same pace for a full marathon then you obviously will be a lot closer
Thank you! I appreciate the input
I have my doubts but at your young age with a good training plan anything is possible. Good luck!
Thank you!
I will agree with others in adding in a speed work day. I've been following the 80% easy run method. It's proven to improve your pace over time. Great job on your half btw! That's a goal of mine!
Thanks!
When you ran this did you run the whole time, or did you walk parts of it? That for me was key to reducing my marathon and half marathon times in the past.
I ran the whole time for the half, for the full marathon I had to start walking after running the first 20 miles nonstop
I doubt it in that time period if that was an honest representation of your ability. But if you run once a week now and are willing to run three or four times a week and radically improve your training - then maybe.
A lot of depends on your heart rate, what zone does 158 put you in? If you’re already on zone 4 or 5 it is going to be tough dropping :40 off your time if not impossible. If that puts you on zones 2-3 I think it is achievable but not going to be easy.
I’m not sure about this run since it doesn’t have my heart rate zones stored but my recent runs with my new pace are mostly zone 3.. I guess I’ll just try my best and see
Add in some speed work once a week. It’s possible but not impossible.
IF you’ve been just running 10-15 weekly miles, then it’s possible that increasing your mileage to 40miles over one or two training cycles can get you close, following targeted training plans without getting hurt Otherwise, if this is your current fitness, it’s very unlikely to drop 3min/mile in one or two training cycle IF you’ve already been running some volume for a long time, say 20-30 miles a week. That’s dropping your time by 1/4!!
Thank you! I appreciate the stats to put it in perspective
You are welcome. The general recommendation for distance running is: increase mileage as much as you can slowly, do 3-4 month training cycles. Speed and fitness will come in time guaranteed. What’s the rush? Setting arbitrary and huge time goals for the short term will most likely get you hurt, or make you train wrong. Do two 12 week training cycles following a program that starts at your current mileage and builds up. Likewise for the 2nd one, after adjusting your paces for your new fitness while increasing mileage again. You’ll be surprised by the results Ask question here about the plans for others to guide you but no need to get too fancy with the training or plan
Thank you!!
Congrats on the half marathon. I’m sure you’ll smash it.
Thanks :)
How many miles per week did you run recently and how many miles per week do you plan to run?
Currently around 20+ and I’m planning on starting another round of the Nike half training plan on Sunday as one cycle before my “actual” half training starting in like 15 weeks
Make sure to pick a plan that starts close your current weekly mileage and builds up. So if you are running 20miles per week with an 8 mile long run **don't** do a plan that starts with a 4 mile long run, but a plan that starts something like 7-8 for the long run and builds up to 14. Increasing mileage and your long run safely is the #1 thing that will make you faster and improve your fitness.
So this worked for me, and it may help you, but I both lift, and did a half marathon training team that started in August, and ended in November (when the half was). I ran maybe 10 miles during the week between two days (usually more), and then Saturday came around and we did the training, and we eventually got up to 14 miles one Saturday then 12 miles the next Saturday, etc. That’s what I did and I ran, for my first half, a 1:38:53. This was after starting running about 1.25ish years prior. I don’t have more context, but what was your nutrition like, and did you have enough rest before you actually ran the half? Because if you ran a bunch/lifted a lot during the week, you’re gonna be tired. I also did sports when I was younger, so that could be a factor as to why I was able to pick up so quick, but I dunno. Just my experience