Dr. Not Yet Dr. Ag said:
Just did a 6.5 mile tempo run at an 8:00 pace (initially planned for 8:20 pace, but I was feeling good). I'm thinking a 1:45 half marathon might be a possibility for myself in 3 weeks for the RnR. Goal is still sub 1:50, but we'll see.
If you're running a 21:30 5K, a 1:45 half is definitely doable. I did a 1:44'48" last December after running a 21'51" 5K 3 weeks earlier. I am a runner who gets slower at longer distances. Here are 3 pieces of advice:
1) Get comfortable with the mileage. By that, I mean, make sure you can run 15 miles comfortably. When you get to race day, you want to be able to warm up for 2 miles without worrying about the extra miles. This will allow you to hit the start line at around target pace.
2) Try an interval workout with 1 mile repeats at target pace. Run 8 intervals with 1 lap slow recovery.
3) Run 10 miles at target pace. At that point you will know whether you can maintain that pace (8:00) for another 5K, but there is no reason to actually do it until the race. This is the most important workout. If your schedule is too compressed, shorten it to an 8 mile run.
Good luck with the weather, including the wind. I ran mine in Galveston. Terrible wind 99% of the time.
94chem,
That, sir, was the greatest post in the history of TexAgs. I salute you. -- Dough