The Running Thread --2025

QOTD: So I have question. Lets say your goal marathon pace is a 8:00 min/mi. You have a half marathon coming up in a few weeks and want to see if fitness wise you are on pace to be able to run the marathon goal... What should be the half marathon goal pace?

ATTQOTD: From the charts I have seen online, it looks like 7:40 pace is a equivalent pace for a half to a 8:00 pace for a full. Ive also read 15-30 seconds faster. I dont know the actual answer, but curious as to what yall think.
How far into training are you? My last marathon cycle had a run about 2 months out that was 3 mile warm up + 10 at marathon pace + 3 mile cool down and I used a half to do the workout with a few miles before and after. If you are going to try to do an equivalent pace I use the VDOT calculator and would shoot for 7:43 pace.
 
QOTD: So I have question. Lets say your goal marathon pace is a 8:00 min/mi. You have a half marathon coming up in a few weeks and want to see if fitness wise you are on pace to be able to run the marathon goal... What should be the half marathon goal pace?

ATTQOTD: From the charts I have seen online, it looks like 7:40 pace is a equivalent pace for a half to a 8:00 pace for a full. Ive also read 15-30 seconds faster. I dont know the actual answer, but curious as to what yall think.
I'm going to be contrarian and say you should run at your marathon pace. When you do race your full, the first 16 miles or so should feel very easy. What better way to test that than by running a half at your goal pace. It's a perfect opportunity to simulate your race nutrition and fueling too. If it does feel easy, you can bank that feeling and recall it on race day. If it doesn't feel easy, you'll know you're not there yet and need to boost your fitness and endurance over the next few months before the race.
 
How far into training are you? My last marathon cycle had a run about 2 months out that was 3 mile warm up + 10 at marathon pace + 3 mile cool down and I used a half to do the workout with a few miles before and after. If you are going to try to do an equivalent pace I use the VDOT calculator and would shoot for 7:43 pace.
I am currently on week 2 of a 18 week plan for the WDW marathon. The half marathon is during week 5. Per the plan I am following race day is a 16 miler with 10 miles @ MRP. Thinking of about a mile warm up and cool down and just run the whole race as a race to help determine training paces for the remainder of the marathon plan.
I'm going to be contrarian and say you should run at your marathon pace. When you do race your full, the first 16 miles or so should feel very easy. What better way to test that than by running a half at your goal pace. It's a perfect opportunity to simulate your race nutrition and fueling too. If it does feel easy, you can bank that feeling and recall it on race day. If it doesn't feel easy, you'll know you're not there yet and need to boost your fitness and endurance over the next few months before the race.
A valid point and the plan I am following includes that often for the long runs. Long runs for the next few weekends leading up to the race are as follows:
9/20 - 13 Mi w/ 8 Mi a MRP = 36 MPW
9/27 - 14 Mi = 40 MPW
10/3 - 15 Mi = 42 MPW
10/12 - Race Day - Plan calls for 16 Mi w/ 10 @ MRP = 45 MPW
The week after the race is a recovery week with a long run on 12 and 33 miles total for the week.
Also have 2-3 days during the week with tempo runs to run 8-10 miles with 1/2 of those miles at 15k to half marathon pace. I am following the plan out of "Advanced Marathoning" by Pete Pfitzinger and Scott Douglas 18 weeks peek 55 miles per week.
 
A valid point and the plan I am following includes that often for the long runs. Long runs for the next few weekends leading up to the race are as follows:
9/20 - 13 Mi w/ 8 Mi a MRP = 36 MPW
9/27 - 14 Mi = 40 MPW
10/3 - 15 Mi = 42 MPW
10/12 - Race Day - Plan calls for 16 Mi w/ 10 @ MRP = 45 MPW
Looks like you could do a 1-2 mile warmup, miles 1-3 at long run pace, miles 3-13 at marathon pace, and then a 1-mile cooldown to get your 16 in as planned.
 

For me, the weather is the biggest issue. I can run fast for a mile (or half mile in the summer). My 10:18 magic mile predicts I can do a 33:43 5k (10:51 per mile) and I'm like LOL no way. At least not until the temperature goes down at least 20 degrees. I have a 10k next weekend and my prediction is 1:13:36 (11:51 per mile). I did two miles at that pace this morning, but I doubt I can hold on for four more miles in 75 degree weather and 90 percent humidity.
As a fellow Floridian, I feel like we need a very specific calculator for our needs. I’ve got maybe 3 days in a YEAR when conditions might be considered just right for an accurate assessment… and they’re inevitably days when I’m not running, lol!
 














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