I’ve been eyeing the Runners World Half Marathon for a few years now, and was thrilled when I won an entry from Laura‘s giveaway. Now that the race is barely a week away, I’m wondering what I’ve gotten myself into!
Goals For the Runner’s World Half
When setting my goals for the Runner’s World Half, I have to be realistic about my lack of training and the challenging course. I know from the Farm to Fork Fondo that this part of Pennsylvania is seriously hilly, and the half marathon course around Bethlehem dishes up all the hills.
That first climb lasts about 3/4 mile.
The others are about 1/3 – 1/2 mile long.
If I were 100% healthy, I wouldn’t be too worried about the hills–I somehow log my best times on the hilly Reston course–but as my foot is getting better I am realizing that my Achilles tendon may be the real source of my issues, and I know a hilly course will put that to the test.
I played around with a race pace calculator, and settled on a goal of a sub-2 finish (9-ish pace), assuming I feel good and the weather cooperates. If that’s not in the cards, I will focus on enjoying the course and taking the hills in stride.
[Tweet “Goals for the #RunnersWorldHalf “]
Weekly Wrap
I started the week recovering from the Army Ten Miler, and ended it with my first weekend long run in ages. I missed the Conte’s bike ride, but knew I’d feel better about the half if I got another long run in.
Monday: Light strength workout to recover from the Army Ten Miler.
Tuesday: Indoor cycling at CycleBar
Wednesday: Orange Theory Fitness
After a month off from OTF is felt good to back–and even better when it didn’t seem to aggravate my foot.
I found an “unofficial” OTF app on Garmin Connect.
Thursday: Strength workout
Friday: CPY2 at Core Power Yoga
Saturday: 8 mile run with my Moms Run This Town group.
Most of these shoes will be running MCM next weekend!
Sunday: Indoor cycling at CycleBar
With my husband off camping with his buddies, I decided to hit up CycleBar after church.
I think I push harder when I’m fully caffienated.
Anyone know what all this data means?
I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia
for the Weekly Wrap.
I almost forgot–
applications are open for the
2018 Cherry Blossom Race Ambassador program!
Find out more and apply here.
Any chance I’ll see you in Bethlehem this weekend?
How do you set goals for a race you haven’t trained for?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
How fun that you won an entry to this race! Sounds like you’ve got a good plan – I hope your foot and Achilles cooperate!
Thanks–me too!
I am so glad to hear that your feet are feeling better. Mine are too but I am afraid to take it for granted. That darn PF seems to pop up all the time. I have been eyeing that Runner’s World half for years too but it never seems to fit into my schedule. If you like it, maybe we can do it next year.
Yes, my PF is improving but it’s not 100%, so I am being careful. I’ll let you know if RW is worth the drive. 😉
Great job with your workouts this week! That is a really smart approach to setting your race goals for this weekend! Hopefully the weather will cooperate. In Pgh it looks like the heat will return next weekend. Seriously, where is fall?
Best of luck to you this weekend!! You’ll see lots of my friends from SCRR.
Thanks. It looks like it will be mild but not too warm – mid 70s for the high. I’m hoping it’s at least partly cloudy to keep the temps down.
How exciting you’ll be running another half. Racing the 10 milers is perfect training for a half. I wouldn’t stress over it. Have a great race! Thanks for linking!
Thanks! If the 10 milers had been the longs runs of regular training, I’d be more confident, but I’ve not been doing my other runs to let my PF heal. Still, now that I’ve spent 7 hours on my bike, 2 hours running should go by quickly, right?
How fun! I’d love to run that–all those running gurus right there with you! You’re going to do great.
Yes, I hope we get up there for some of the expo sessions!
Good luck with the race at the weekend, I’m sure you’ll do absolutely great 🙂 I think a hard part of any race is the mental fear of the distance – especially for first tie runners. But you know you’ve already conquered the 13.1, so you know you can do it again!
Yes, the mental is so critical! I am still wary of 13.1 but will have to get over it — or through it. 🙂
Have fun in PA this weekend. I was going to run this but then decided that I really didn’t want to miss out on cheering for MCM – it’s one of my favorite things to do. I love race spectating. 🙂
Good luck! Focus on those calves too. I’ve had achilles problems and it stemmed from my tight calves.
You have done plenty of ten milers just think it’s only three more miles. You got this!
I have thought of this race, but it usually falls on the same weekend as the IMT Des Moines Marathon (which was this weekend). If our daughter stays out in Pennsylvania for a few years, that might be a good one for me to consider. I’ll be eager to hear how it goes and what you think of it!
ahhhh pennsylvania and the hills.
ONE REASON I DO NOT MISS HOME 🙂
and the snow 🙂
Those two ten milers should give you plenty of endurance- but I agree that it’s a tough course! Looking forward to hopefully seeing you! I may be leaving Sat night (doing the trail run Fri and the 5k/10k as part of my 20 miler on Sat) so let me know when you arrive on Saturday and we should meet up!
That race should be a blast. I did the 5k a few years back. No lie, it’s gonna be hilly!!!!!!!!!!!
But you can do it!
It is seriously hilly. I haven’t personally done that one, but I’ve spent enough time in PA to know how hilly it is. But so very beautiful.
I didn’t really train for PCB last year (but of course I’d run a half about 6 weeks before, and ran a bunch of shorter races before). And that was where my BIG PR happened. But a flat & fast course; I really like flat & fast!
Good luck! I did the RW Heartbreak Hill, and despite the heat wave, I enjoyed it and the speakers I went to, too.
You’re going to do great at RW half. I’m super envious! I’ve been wanting to go for years. Have so much fun!!
Best of luck this weekend! You’re going in with the knowledge about how hilly the course is, and that knowledge should serve you well during the race. I can’t wait to hear how it goes!
I ran the race two years ago and it was definitely hilly, but it’s a fun and beautiful course! I hope that you have an awesome race day experience!
Oh, I’m going to stalk your blog for your old recap. 😉
Dang, that’s a lot of workouts! I hope you treat yourself to a rest day soon 🙂
Those hills look tough! But I’ve heard good things about this race. I hope you have fun 🙂
Good luck at Runner’s World, I did the half a few years back and loved it, but oh is it hilly!
I’m glad to hear it can be fun even with the hills!
Oh my beautiful Pa with the hills! I don’t know what the elevation is for the race, but I’m sure you will do fine!
The only goals I set for races I haven’t properly trained for is to finish uninjured! But then again, I’m not anywhere near where you are regarding fitness and endurance. You’ll do just fine. Two recent ten milers should do the trick! Good luck and have fun!
That’s a very important goal! My endurance runs out pretty quickly at mile 10. 😉
What, you can knock out a 10-miler, really you’ll do fine for a little over 3 more! As long as your PF doesn’t flare up your in fine shape to take the extra distance! I’m not so much a goal setter especially ones I haven’t run. Now I will try and beat my time from races I’ve run before. Thanks Coco for linking up.
Thanks, Tricia. I’ll take your confidence and run with it. 🙂
Hello, Coco.
Reading your blog makes me want to start running and stay fit. Please do update the blog after the race. I’m excited for you. Good luck and God bless to you.
Man, the Runner’s World Half is always one that I miss out on! I hope you have a great race, I’m sure you’ll do great!
Nice job with your workouts. I still need to find a place to try OTF!
You are still working very hard even if you don’t feel like you trained well for the race, I bet you will do great! I usually just go with the flow when I have not trained and remember it is all about getting good exercise anyway 🙂
Hopefully the hills won’t aggravate what you have going on.
That’s so awesome you won an entry to the Runner’s World Half!! I usually run a 10-11 mile long run before a half and call it good. I am still trying to figure out what VO2 Max means lol!