Is it wise to set a time goal for first half or just finish?

[fluffycookie]

I am running my first half on May 24th that I am starting to loosely train for. I have a secret goal to run it under 2:30, but I am wondering if since its my first I should just aim to train without injury and finish upright and then if all goes well do a fall half (Baystate in October) make the goal to break 2:30 then.  For me running is part physical, but more mental and I worry about getting so fixated on making this time goal that if I have bad runs or don't make my paces I will get in my head and get stressed out and the negative "I can't do this" thoughts will take over.  

TIA!

[itsme]

I have no experience with halfs (yet). I plan on just making it to the finish line for my first half. I won't be worried about my time so much. Maybe one day but this year I prefer to just enjoy the run without stressing about being fast.

[taratru]

I did, but I'd been training for it, ya know? I think it's okay as long as it's not a "huge, stretch, only if it's a perfect day" goal.

[bostonmichelle]

I set three goals for my first half. A) 2:10. B) 2:30. C) Finish upright. At the halfway point I switched my goal to 2:05, and missed by 6 seconds, but still felt incredibly accomplished. I think if you set multiple goals and are okay with not making all of your goals go ahead and do it.

I've been told always make your C goal something like finish upright and happy or fueling at proper intervals, basically something that isn't time driven.

[G22]

Jan 22, 2015 11:09:20 GMT -5 taratru said:

I did, but I'd been training for it, ya know? I think it's okay as long as it's not a "huge, stretch, only if it's a perfect day" goal.

This.

I always set goals for myself, even first time distances. But like Tara said, I don't make them over the top. Based of my training times, I usually pick a time I'd like to finish under and I try to simultaneously challenge myself but make it attainable.

[fluffycookie]

I think that I am going to start the training with just the goal to finish upright and when I get closer how my runs have been. My 10K pace was 11:35 which would bring me to 2:31:44 and my 10K time was very slow because of all the people and I had to walk for about 4-5 minutes at one point after someone slammed into me when she made a bee line for the beginning of the water table.

[mrshandy]

Jan 22, 2015 12:43:24 GMT -5 fluffycookie said:

I think that I am going to start the training with just the goal to finish upright and when I get closer how my runs have been. My 10K pace was 11:35 which would bring me to 2:31:44 and my 10K time was very slow because of all the people and I had to walk for about 4-5 minutes at one point after someone slammed into me when she made a bee line for the beginning of the water table.

Did you plug your time into Macmillan race calculator? This could give you a good idea of what to shoot for.


www.mcmillanrunning.com/

I think I had a vague time goal for my first half. But I wasn't strict about it. I just ran whatever pace I wanted. I broke my goal by a decent amount and that was even with some walking.

[ktzmoh]

I didn't have a time goal for my first half. My only goal was to cross the finish line together with schenkertobe in one piece .

I do have a time goal in mind for my first marathon, but i arrived at it using the McMillan calculator, so I know it's generally in the realm of possibilities if everything goes perfectly during training and on race day. But really in my heart I don't care. I'm okay with having a time goal because I know that when race day arrives I'll just be so happy and proud even getting to the start line that making it to the finish line in any kind of time will be a really great moment for me.

[hannahb]

I did. But then again I had been running for years before my first half so I had an idea of what I was capable of, UA know? It's nice to have some idea so you can pace yourself however I wouldn't get too hung up on a certain time

[hannahb]

That's supposed to be ya know (not UA). Although I do love UA

[fluffycookie]

Jan 22, 2015 12:47:06 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

Jan 22, 2015 12:43:24 GMT -5 fluffycookie said:

I think that I am going to start the training with just the goal to finish upright and when I get closer how my runs have been. My 10K pace was 11:35 which would bring me to 2:31:44 and my 10K time was very slow because of all the people and I had to walk for about 4-5 minutes at one point after someone slammed into me when she made a bee line for the beginning of the water table.

Did you plug your time into Macmillan race calculator? This could give you a good idea of what to shoot for.


www.mcmillanrunning.com/

I think I had a vague time goal for my first half. But I wasn't strict about it. I just ran whatever pace I wanted. I broke my goal by a decent amount and that was even with some walking.

According to Mcmillian I would need to take about 8 seconds off my per mile pace.  Its probably doable.  I am doing Hal Higdon's Novice 1 program, but stretching it out to include 11, 12 and 13 mile runs because again for me its all mental. I did this when training for the 10K and it worked so I plan on sticking with it.  The Novice 1 program has no speed work or tempo runs.  Would you try and add those in to one run a week (alternating tempo or speed work each week)?

[mrshandy]

Jan 22, 2015 13:12:33 GMT -5 fluffycookie said:

Jan 22, 2015 12:47:06 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

Did you plug your time into Macmillan race calculator? This could give you a good idea of what to shoot for.


www.mcmillanrunning.com/

I think I had a vague time goal for my first half. But I wasn't strict about it. I just ran whatever pace I wanted. I broke my goal by a decent amount and that was even with some walking.

According to Mcmillian I would need to take about 8 seconds off my per mile pace.  Its probably doable.  I am doing Hal Higdon's Novice 1 program, but stretching it out to include 11, 12 and 13 mile runs because again for me its all mental. I did this when training for the 10K and it worked so I plan on sticking with it.  The Novice 1 program has no speed work or tempo runs.  Would you try and add those in to one run a week (alternating tempo or speed work each week)?

Increasing your weekly mileage should increase your speed. Looking back, I did my first half a lot faster than Mcmillan said I would have done based on my 10K 4 months before my half. I did zero speedwork. Personally I'm a fan of establish a solid base of running before bringing in speedwork. But I'm not expert, just my personal experience.

[Deleted]

My main goal for my first half was just to finish.

[jordylee]

I had a goal for my first half, but I didn't end up meeting that goal until my third. I think it was good for me to have something to be aiming for, but I could see how a lot of people might get discouraged if they didn't meet it on the first (or second) try. Also, I had been running casually for years before I ran my first half, so I wasn't picking a time out of thin air. You know yourself best... so long as you pick a goal that is reasonable and you won't be crushed if you don't meet it, I don't see any problem with it.

[juliabug]

I don't have any experience running a half, but I love to have B and C goals that are not time based, like not walking or only walking the water stations.

[bluedaisyus]

I had A, B, and C goals. C was just to finish. I did end up (barely) making my A goal which was awesome, but I would have been happy just to have finished. I think if it's not your ONLY goal I think it's fine to have a time goal as well.

[blabbermouth]

I'm preparing for my first half too. I think it's hard not to have a "subconscious" goal at least. I say I'd be happy to just finish and I don't care what time I get, but deep down I'd like to think I should be able to finish in 2;30. I don't think I'd be upset if I got between that and 2:45, but I do think 2:30 is a reachable goal, even if it's not a true goal.

[gt7301b]

Jan 22, 2015 13:12:33 GMT -5 fluffycookie said:

Jan 22, 2015 12:47:06 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

Did you plug your time into Macmillan race calculator? This could give you a good idea of what to shoot for.


www.mcmillanrunning.com/

I think I had a vague time goal for my first half. But I wasn't strict about it. I just ran whatever pace I wanted. I broke my goal by a decent amount and that was even with some walking.

According to Mcmillian I would need to take about 8 seconds off my per mile pace.  Its probably doable.  I am doing Hal Higdon's Novice 1 program, but stretching it out to include 11, 12 and 13 mile runs because again for me its all mental. I did this when training for the 10K and it worked so I plan on sticking with it.  The Novice 1 program has no speed work or tempo runs.  Would you try and add those in to one run a week (alternating tempo or speed work each week)?

Focus on the mileage, trust the plan.

[shauni27]

Jan 22, 2015 11:27:52 GMT -5 bostonmichelle said:

I set three goals for my first half. A) 2:10. B) 2:30. C) Finish upright. At the halfway point I switched my goal to 2:05, and missed by 6 seconds, but still felt incredibly accomplished. I think if you set multiple goals and are okay with not making all of your goals go ahead and do it.

This is what I did as well.  I just wanted to finish but my secret goal was less than 2:30, and my super secret A goal was 2:15. 

But like you said, running is mental and I did find myself really focused on the number and not the run.  Which has literally always been my case.  The last half I ran I literally went in with ZERO expectations and it ended up being the best race because I was not focused on time what so ever.

[cinco]

I ran with out goals for years, including my first half and full marathons. Many runners do, and that is fine. When I started seeing faster times after DS I began making some goals, but like others had a reach goal (realistic, but based on good weather, no pee breaks, etc.) and maybe another conservative goal. I think having a time goal and a finishing goal is great. Just be sure to celebrate either way.