Suggestions for first 1/2 marathon in Toronto/GTA

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Vic
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Suggestions for first 1/2 marathon in Toronto/GTA

Postby Vic » Wed Dec 10, 2014 3:57 pm

I would like to sign up for my 1st marathon. I was thinking about Toronto's women’s 1/2 in May 2015 as I run many of the Toronto women’s series races in the past ( 5,8 and 10k) , however I am not sure if I have enough time to train given that the training may not be very consistent through the winter . Also, my longest run currently is 9k and because of my numerous chronic injuries, my mileage will not be increased as fast as the training programs indicate. I can’t even follow a training program as I will not do any speed work for now. I would like to run the ½ to complete it and I know that I will be slow ( probably will take me over 3 hrs). Any suggestions regarding which race to sign up for? I prefer running fall races however I feel that I better sign up for 1/2 now before I change my mind :roll: Also, I prefer medium size races. Any suggestions are appreciated.
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La
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Re: Suggestions for first 1/2 marathon in Toronto/GTA

Postby La » Thu Dec 11, 2014 11:35 am

There's the Island Girl Half marathon in September (on Toronto Island).

If you're only at 9K now and you know that your training won't be consistent over the winter months, then you're better off setting a goal for a fall 1/2M rather than one in the spring.

ETA: http://www.islandgirlrunning.com/
Last edited by La on Thu Dec 11, 2014 12:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Suggestions for first 1/2 marathon in Toronto/GTA

Postby Joe Dwarf » Thu Dec 11, 2014 11:38 am

I can't speak to which Toronto race to pick. However, if your goal is just to finish then I wouldn't stress about speed work at all. Just put in the miles. As La said, if you can't put in the miles, maybe wait for a fall race so you can train when it is easier.

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Re: Suggestions for first 1/2 marathon in Toronto/GTA

Postby eme » Thu Dec 11, 2014 2:16 pm

I did the Scotiabank Waterfront Half this past October and it was a good race. It has a really neat finish line (big crowds cheering you on) and I liked that the bibs had your first name on them, so people could cheer you on by name. The course is nice for the most part and there was good support. My only beef was that most people were "plugged in" to some kind of phone/music. I thought that was a waste, as I race to experience the race and crowds.

I stayed at a hotel (Novotel) within walking distance of the Start/Finish areas.

FWIW - I am not from Toronto (or even Ontario) but I was in the area for work and decided to race.

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Re: Suggestions for first 1/2 marathon in Toronto/GTA

Postby LyndaJ » Thu Dec 11, 2014 10:50 pm

I ran my first half at Hamilton Marathon Road 2 Hope on November 2. I really like this race (I did the 10k there last year).
November 2 - Hamilton Road 2 Hope Half Marathon (First half)
June 7, 2015 - Niagara Falls Women's Half Marathon

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Re: Suggestions for first 1/2 marathon in Toronto/GTA

Postby Vic » Fri Dec 12, 2014 7:57 am

Thank you all. I am now thinking to perhaps do the fall race to give myself more time to train. Also late fall is my favorite time to run.
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Re: Suggestions for first 1/2 marathon in Toronto/GTA

Postby purdy65 » Fri Dec 12, 2014 8:31 am

There are so many fall half marathons in the region, that it's really hard to go wrong. I agree with La's suggestion of the Island Girl half. Even thinking I might do this one this year!
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Vic
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Re: Suggestions for first 1/2 marathon in Toronto/GTA

Postby Vic » Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:28 am

ok...I am thinking now. I want to get my long run up to 15-17k before signing up for it !
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Re: Suggestions for first 1/2 marathon in Toronto/GTA

Postby Joe Dwarf » Sun Dec 14, 2014 2:38 pm

Bear in mind that most beginner half plans top out around 18 km for the long run. I would be more concerned about being recovered from your injuries before ramping things up.

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Re: Suggestions for first 1/2 marathon in Toronto/GTA

Postby Vic » Tue Dec 16, 2014 8:33 am

Joe Dwarf wrote:Bear in mind that most beginner half plans top out around 18 km for the long run. I would be more concerned about being recovered from your injuries before ramping things up.

Thanks Joe.This is so try for me. Because of my chronic injuries I always sign up for races at the last minute because I never know if I would be able to run them.
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Re: Suggestions for first 1/2 marathon in Toronto/GTA

Postby Vic » Sat Oct 03, 2015 6:00 am

So I did! I run MEC HM. Very Slow but completed it. Now on to the next goal...speed :roll:
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Re: Suggestions for first 1/2 marathon in Toronto/GTA

Postby Habs4ever » Sat Oct 03, 2015 10:24 am

Vic wrote:So I did! I run MEC HM. Very Slow but completed it. Now on to the next goal...speed :roll:

Congratulations!
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Re: Suggestions for first 1/2 marathon in Toronto/GTA

Postby chunkymonkeymelonhed » Sat Oct 03, 2015 12:15 pm

Vic wrote:So I did! I run MEC HM. Very Slow but completed it. Now on to the next goal...speed :roll:


Congratulations! Fantastic accomplishment.
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Vic
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Re: Suggestions for first 1/2 marathon in Toronto/GTA

Postby Vic » Sun Oct 11, 2015 9:16 am

Thank you all :) I will soon start asking questions about how to improve my pace/speed :wink: Stay tuned....
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Re: Suggestions for first 1/2 marathon in Toronto/GTA

Postby ultraslacker » Sun Oct 11, 2015 11:03 am

congrats on the halfM. :)

When I was in your position, I found that each halfM was faster than the last simply due to consistency and adaptation. You may not need to make big changes yet, just keep doing what you're doing until you start to plateau, and then look at changing things up.
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Vic
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Re: Suggestions for first 1/2 marathon in Toronto/GTA

Postby Vic » Mon Oct 12, 2015 5:47 am

ultraslacker wrote:congrats on the halfM. :)

When I was in your position, I found that each halfM was faster than the last simply due to consistency and adaptation. You may not need to make big changes yet, just keep doing what you're doing until you start to plateau, and then look at changing things up.


Thank you ultraslacker. Yes it was true for me as my 5k time has improved just a bit after I run the HM but I really would like to run a 5k in 30 mins. I never had a speed goal before due to chronic injuries but going forward I can hopefully attempt to work on it.
Running is cheaper than therapy...
------Running gives me hope.............


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