After looking at my dads road half marathon times versus his trail half marathon times, I have realized that breaking 2 hours won't happen! My dad can run a 1:35 road half, but his last trail half time was 1:59.
Of course my main goal is to finish and finish injury free, but I can't go into a race without a finish time goal. Right now I am torn between 2:10 and 2:15. The last half I ran with my dad, I only finished 10 minutes after him. But he also has trail experience and I do not. all my races have been road races. We plan to run a few trainign runs on the trail that the race is being held on, but I doubt that will get me to my dads trail status.
I know I have some time to figure this out, but I am a planner when it comes to running.
Anyway, here is the trail race we are running.
http://www.trailmarathon.com/
Here is the course map & elevation.
http://www.trailmarathon.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=41&Itemid=92
You're going to have so much fun "off-roading". Has your dad given you any advice about what you can expect from the course?
ReplyDeleteI LOVED cross country season in high school. I tried doing a trail run recently after so many years of not doing it, and I couldn't believe how awkward it felt.
It is quite a different experience than road running. I'm not sure how you'd estimate a goal without prior trail races to reference. The training runs should help you get an idea.
I don't think <2:00 is out of the question at all.
You are a toughie getting out there tackling a trail HM, you will do great!
ReplyDeleteCJ
Blondie, my dad plans on taking me to various trails while training. He did tell me that it is completely different then road racing and that I have to be aware of my surrounding the entire time. Especially to make sure I do not trip over any roots.
ReplyDeleteI know I shouldn't really have a goal time without having experience, but I can't go into it just to finish ya know? I need to have at least some kind of time! I should just wait and base it off my training runs as you suggested!
Awesome! Can't wait to hear all about it.
ReplyDelete