1/2 marathon time for marathon

[Mark Smith]

Question for you folks:

As a rule of thumb, what kind of half marathon time does a sub-three marathoner run? Not in theory (I know the various 'times two plus 10 minuite' theories) but actually, in people's experience.

In particular, what about those that scraped under 3.00? WHat half marathon times were your churning out?

Thanks

ST

[SteveS]

Looking back at my log, in 2003 I did 3:00:34 at London. My previous half at the point was 1:25:32 and I was around that sort of time for my next couple of halfs. Lowered the half time to 1:22.26 in the autumn and followed that with a 2:55:42 at Rotterdam. So at that time I was pretty close to the x2 + 10 minutes.

Last year when I was coming back from injury I was at 1:24 for a half and 3:02 for a full, but hadn't been able to put in the long runs.

On my fastest times I'm closer to x2 + 8 minutes, but I do tend to train specifically for marathons and a half just comes off the back off whatever training I doing at the time.

[Gambatte]

Last spring I ran 1:22 hilly in Liverpool and 2:59 in London. I think before London I should have rested more, and also I did not push as hard as I could have.

[Roadrunner]

Best marathon- 2.17.49
Best half marathon- 1.04.38

Therfeore 2 x 1.04.08 = 2.09.16 (How impressive would that be?)

2.17.49 - 2.09.16 = 8.33 difference

[Mark Smith]

Really useful, thanks. Anymore out there?

My current pb is 1:26, set at Helsby a while back before doing the BGR. Hopefuilly i'm fitter and stronger now - the long runs appear to suggest so at the moment.

I'm doing the Lancaster Half 4 weeks before the Berlin marathon so perhaps I should aim for about 1:25?

[Mountain Hare]

Last year my best half was a smidge under 1:18 on a fast course.

I ran London Marathon 6 weeks later in 2:47 but I was predicting 2:43 - 2:44 given my training runs and 20 mile race times.

Personally, I would suggest if you can run a 1:25 HM and your preparation and taper are good then a sub 3 should be achievable - just don't under estimate the differences between a half and full - although I'm sure if you have completed the BG 3hrs will fly by!

Good luck

[Gambatte]

Here more of my data. Races done within several weeks.

2002
1:16 and 2:49:30

2003
1:15:54 and 2:43:39

2004
1:15:28 and 2:52(had a bad day, walked the last 2km and paused nearly a min when I could almost touch the finish line)

2005
1:28(had a bad day) and 2:56

2006, 2007 no races, injuried

2008
1:22 and 2:59

2009 ?

[Stagger]

Best marathon- 2.17.49
Best half marathon- 1.04.38

Therfeore 2 x 1.04.08 = 2.09.16 (How impressive would that be?)

2.17.49 - 2.09.16 = 8.33 difference

Gets some decent training in and get rid of that mental block you have.

You have everything going to run 2.10 so lets be seeing you in 2012.

YOU CAN DO IT. You just need some positive words of encouragement

[Welsh Harrier]

I forgot about fell running in early 2002 and ran the following times - when it came to the marathon I ran far too slowly for the first 18 miles, thoroughly enjoyed blasting past hundreds of runners in the last eight and ended up feeling frustrated and not very weary at the finish!

19 03 02 Littleborough 5k 19.16
24 03 02 Wilmslow Half 1/2M 84.06
28 03 02 Salford 10k 38.21
02 04 02 Chester Spring 5m 31.32
14 04 02 London Marathon 202.41

[Multiterrainer]

My marathon PB (crikey almost 20 years ago now!!) was extremely close to the 2 x half + 10 mins formula - literally 1 second out

1/2 Mara pb 74.07 (1985) (1989 best 74.13)
London Mara 1989 2hrs 38mins 15secs.