Q&A with the Runcoach CEO and 2:12 marathoner, Coach Tom McGlynn, who shares some thoughts on including a half marathon race within your marathon training.
1.) Do you advise runners to race a half marathon prior to running a full marathon?
If the athlete is preparing for a marathon, then I like to see them run a half marathon 4-7 weeks out. The reason we like it that far prior to the goal race is that we always recommend enough time to recovery after the half marathon. The recovery period is intended to spring board the athlete into the final marathon stage of training.
2.) Does practicing race day routine in a half marathon help your marathon?
The actual practice of waking up, eating, drinking, going to the bathroom and arriving at the start line in plenty of time is most helpful. Some of the intra-race hydration is important as well. The half marathon should be thought of as a dress rehearsal for the marathon.
3.) Does a half marathon time accurately estimate your fitness for the marathon?
The science suggests that if you double your half marathon time and add about 12 minutes, that would be your current fitness for the marathon. Meaning that a 2 hour half marathon converts to a 4:12 marathon. This is an extremely rough estimate, and doesn’t consider key variables such as weather, course variation (between half and full), the athlete’s health on either race day, the need for nutrition and hydration in a full marathon that isn't as important in a half marathon, the runner's form/efficiency, etc
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