Wisconsin Half Marathon… goal race?
In the last four months I’ve run PRs (personal records) in the 5K, 10K and marathon… and there’s another distance I want to go after – the half marathon!
My half marathon PR is 1:51:15 from the Wisconsin Half Marathon in 2013. Old, right?
I was hoping* I’d be ready for a half marathon PR attempt in early April, before it gets too humid here (although EVERY day is unpredictable, weather-wise, ha), but that’s just not gonna happen – there’s not enough time.
I think I’ll give it a shot at the Wisconsin Half Marathon on May 7. Even though, you know, I haven’t had a good race there since 2013. Due to weather… and being overweight. At least I can control one of those things (I’m talking about the weather, obviously)!
But beyond the weather “risk” (which is true to every race), this race has many pros: I’ve run it every year and am familiar with the course. It’s well organized. It’s hella close to where I live now. I know a lot of people running it, every year. On race day, I’ll care more about how Rachel** does than I do (which takes pressure off me). And if the weather is complete crap, I’ll bag my goal, save it for the fall, and run for fun. It’s only running.
Although, I should probably decide on a goal pace, other than just the goal of a PR. That makes training a bit easier. Ha!
And don’t forget, if you are interested in this half or the marathon, you can use the code WMKIM16 for $5 off (register here)***.
*Cause, you know… hope is what gets you ready for a race, Kim. NOT!
**I’ve been writing her training plans since January, with this race being her goal half.
***I receive a free entry to this race if ten people use my code. And I actually got my free entry in advance, this year. A little history as to why I have my own code – I reached out to this race about starting an ambassador program in 2012 because I love the race so much and wanted to encourage people to run it! They didn’t want to start a program but gave me a code to use for the 2013 race, with the rule of getting ten people to use it. And this is my fourth year with a code, and the same rule. I doubt I will ask for a code next year, and will just sign up at early registration. The race is cheap, and they give out so many codes now, it’s actually not as easy to get ten people to use it as it was before!
Themocracy
I was thinking about a May half marathon and shied away because of the potential heat. But it sounds like you have a great plan, with the flexibility to reassess your goal if needed due to the weather. And that’s cool that you’ve been helping your friend out with a training plan for this half as her goal race. Good luck to both of you!
Oh yeah, and it gets really hot and muggy, there! I remember being surprised by it when I visited, even though everyone told me it was like that!
Thank you!
3 years since a half PR? You are a patient woman. It’s been about 1 year since mine and I already feel like I’m losing my mind.
According to your training recaps you do most of your TRAINING runs at your HM PR pace these days, so I’d think a PR would be no sweat for you even if you haven’t done race-specific training. But at the same time, I get it. Most experienced runners I know actually have a hard time setting PRs at this distance. It really is a tricky one to master. It’s easy to think that if you’ve trained for a full a half should be easy, but no matter how many long runs you do, racing 13.1 miles is never easy!!
Good luck! Sad I can’t be there this year 🙁
Ha ha! I am not really in to chasing PRs! But since I am in decent shape now, it makes sense to see if I can break them 🙂
Yeah, I hope my paces stay around there so the HM isn’t that much work! Muah ha ha. Ha ha ha. Ha. HMs aren’t easy – you aren’t going all out, but it’s still easy to get too caught up and still go a bit fast in the beginning. Even if I don’t PR, negative or even splits would be cool.
Me too! 🙁
So you’re saying the pressure is on me to keep the pressure off of you? Great, now I’m even MORE nervous. hahaha!
Even if it ends up being ‘hot’ you’re still in shape to knock out a PR. Just keep up the training you’ve been doing!
Maybe one day we can control the weather…
LOL! No, now you shift your focus to my PR and then no one has to feel any pressure! BOOM!
Thanks! That is the plan! 🙂
I guess we can control the weather in inside races? Maybe I should have raced that indoor half in Jan! 🙂
Oh good – since you can control the weather, would you mind if I submit my race dates to you, so you can make sure it’s always 50 and overcast with a 5 mph wind from the opposite direction I have to run at the end of the race every time? Because I’d really appreciate that 😛 My goal 10K is on May 22, and I’m not going to lie, I’m REALLY nervous about the weather that late in the spring. It’s such a crapshoot that time of the year. There’s another 10K in the city in April (the Chitown 10K), and I like that race (it’s where I got my half PR!), but I’m not PR-trained quite yet…and my race budget needs several more paychecks before I can sign up for anything else haha. So I’m crossing my fingers for May 22!
Sure! We should probably be careful about how many times I put in requests, so I’ll save for the May 22 one. Ha! Your dream race weather is a lot warmer than mine!!!! 🙂 I hope you are trained for the race and have the weather you want!
I think 2013 was the year I ran it. Just sayin’ … HA! From experience, I will say a goal pace does make it easier to train . I feel like I’m running tempos like an a-hole because I am too scared to commit to a faster goal pace for Carmel. I either need to just go for the faster time or stick to the plan of sub-2. Being wishy-washy is not good.
Anyway, isn’t it nice to comment just so I can talk about me? Not. I hope you have a fantastic race experience in WI, PR or not. It’s crazy awesome that you’ve had such great times the past few months. #rockstar
So you better come out, if you’re my good luck charm! 🙂 Are you going to pick a pace, too? COMMIT! Ha ha. Although, if you’d feel less pressure going for sub 2:00 but training a bit faster, do that. We don’t have to have plans for EVERYTHING. 🙂
Thanks 🙂
I’m training faster so … I just want to be a magic unicorn who runs these surprise PRs that feel easy. I am going to do WI again one day but a friend is transferring her Indy Mini bib at no cost. Free race – hard to turn down!
Training faster is what will give you those easy “surprise” PRs 🙂
That is awesome that you are getting a free Indy entry!
Dooooooooo it! I think it’s a great idea to use your kick butt current fitness level to smash that old half PR! And to be flexible about the weather is super smart too. No sense in setting yourself up for disappointment if it’s too hot/windy whatever there’s always another race waiting for you with perfect conditions and open arms ready to take you in 🙂 I’m so excited for you- you’re on fire this year!!
Thanks for being so excited for me! I hope I get nice weather so I can go for it (and as you know, I am not trying to be a wimp about it, but I know my limitations… and sanity level (when it comes to wind, ha ha))!
May is the perfect month for a half marathon! Sadly I am working that weekend or I might give it a go!! I think you can totally PR this race!!! I’ll be virtually rooting for you!!
I know you can crush that time given the right day 🙂 I bet you can do on a hot day too.
I sure hope it is nice day for ya!
Thank you! Maybe we’ll have hot weather leading up to prep me for it! 🙂
I’m glad you are so patient it makes me feel better! I don’t think I’m ready for a PR attempt at the half marathon but might be getting close and of course just as I begin to feel that way the heat kicks in.
However, I think you are more than capable at the moment of chipping some time off yours….every second counts, it might not be a massive PR but maybe you’d take yourself to 1.50 or just below its another time bracket 😀 All I’m saying is don’t rule it out see how you feel on the day…mentally cheering you on!
Oh yeah. There is WAY more to running to me than constantly chasing PRs. And getting faster 🙂
Hmm, you guys do have horrible heat… and already! Do you think you will train for something in the summer? Or fall?
Thanks! 🙂
I honestly don’t know. Running was so patchy for me last summer I’d be happy to just run consistently. I donno about training for speed since the heat sucks that right out of me but I might try continuing to do a few shorter races or try something different like a trail race.
That sounds like a good plan! Heat (and really, the sun) sucks it out of me too, so I run a lot slower in the summer, and don’t run or race as much.
I originally set out my “plan” for the year with a PR half-marathon. However, I haven’t done the work (at all), and I think that I need this race to be more about the experience than shooting for an unrealistic goal.
You, on the other hand, HAVE been working at your running (like a boss!), and it seems like a PR in a different distance is a great goal. So – good luck! And, I like your reminder: “It’s only running!”.
Oh man! Which race are you doing? I think it’s good to change the goal to being about the experience, instead of pressuring yourself for a PR you are not ready for!
Thanks!!! 🙂 I am excited to see what happens!
My half PR is now three years old, if that makes you feel any better! (Silly injuries…) Wisconsin is one of my favorite small marathons – but I might have a special place for it in my heart since it was my first BQ. (And the first time we saw each other – awwww.)
Aww, do you think you’ll ever run it again? I am still not sure I will ever do the full – not sure I could handle the gravel on the second half!