What is an average half marathon time to you? There is a disease in the running community and it has been going on a long time.
I call it compareitis.
Runners are, generally, highly competitive and driven people but we all spend too much time comparing our half marathon times to others.
I get it.
I lived the lifestyle and spent a lot of time trying to measure up with the top runners while I was competing.
Once I retired from competing nationally and internationally I fully realized what a waste of time that was.
My 1:07:06 half marathon and 2:19:35 marathon PR's don't help my fellow man out.
What does help is the experience I bring to the table with over 26 years of experience (at the time of this post).
There are derogatory terms such as “hobby jogger” that many runners use in belittling other athletes not as fast as they might be.
Half marathon times are going to vary depending on athletic ability and how much time we devote to this sport.
I've never seen people out competing as hobby joggers.
Everyone has a story.
Some have huge obstacles they have overcome and are just trying to work to complete their first half marathon.
A 3 hour half marathon may be a huge success to someone.
We don't know their stories, what they may have endured.
I look up to these people just as much as I do the world-class runners breaking 1:00:00 for the half marathon distance.
We all have different capabilities but a 2 hour half marathon time may be average to you but world-class to someone else.
What if that man or woman is currently 300 pounds but has that time as a goal in a few years?
A 2 hour half marathon is certainly not an average half marathon time to them.
Key Strategies
The key components of a successful half marathon training schedule is proper balance of easy and fast running.
A faster long run every two weeks is absolutely essential.
I dropped my marathon PR from 2:43:36 to 2:19:35 by way of changing the pace at which I was doing my long runs.
You have to make some significant changes to go from holding 6:14 to 5:25 mile pace for the marathon distance.
Purchase A RunDreamAchieve Training Plan Today
This one key change also helped me drop my half marathon best from 1:10:32 to 1:07:06.
I also hit the first half in my marathon PR (2:19:35) in 1:07:09, a mere 3 seconds off my personal best for the half.
This key change you can make in your own training and see some significant changes.
Is there a such time as an average half marathon time?
Depends on who you ask.
I'd like to think that some of my achievements warrant me as someone who knows the sport of running quite well.
If you are comparing the 58:19 world record that was just recently set to a 2 hour half marathon perhaps it is average.
If someone dropped 200 pounds, couldn't run a step and got to the point where they could hold 9:09 per mile for 13.1 miles I'd say that is world-class.
I certainly would not view a 2 hour half marathon as an average half marathon time then.
There are many athletes who would view my personal best of 1:07:06 as an average half marathon time compared to the 58:19 world-record.
Stay Focused
There will always be naysayers in this sport.
Keep you focus on the specific time goal you have in mind and let the small thinkers focus on what an average half marathon time may be.
Does a fast half marathon time put money in your bank account?
Perhaps yes if you can run under 1:10 or better in some local races but it will hardy make you financially independent.
I write quite a bit about the importance of entrepreneurship here as well if interested.
Does a fast half marathon time leverage your time?
Does it pay you while you are asleep?
These are the things to keep in perspective as you get out the door preparing for your next half marathon.
Runners, as mentioned previously, are highly focused individuals.
It is normal to seek to run as fast as we can but perhaps your goal is to run 13.1 miles without stopping or simply finishing.
I commend you. Average people at times can belittle others for entering races for the fun of it.
Everyone is different and not everyone desires to break a 2:30 marathon.
An average half marathon time cannot be answered because everyone has a story.
What is slow to you may be world-class to someone else and vice versa.
If you are interested in running faster at the half marathon distance I have built training plans to help get you to your goal faster.
Click the link below to check them out backed by a 30-day money back guarantee if not completely satisfied.
Purchase A RunDreamAchieve Training Plan Today
