Getting set for the next one

Around this time last year, I was gearing up for my first half marathon. I still remember how excited & nervous I was at the same time. I just read my post from 26th July last year after finishing my DRHM 2015. A year and 3 more half marathons later, here I am, feeling pretty much the same way as I did before my maiden HM. Ofcourse, today I chalk the trepidation down to my un-preparedness rather than the distance as such. Looking back at last year's training plan that I went through, it is no wonder that I was able to finish strong with no aches and pains. 

The sad truth is that in terms of my running ability, speed & stamina I haven't progressed much. The last half that I ran in June (again with very few training hours in the bank), I finished in 2:45:51 - about twenty seconds slower than my first HM and the whole run was a battle to the finish line. I was sore & achy for two days post-run. I am in exactly the same spot as I was last year - hoping to get on the 2:30 pacer bus and finish in that time. Last year I lost sight of the 2:30 bus pretty early on... will it work this time around?

The race route has changed a little from last year. We will not be doing the IT expressway stretch this year but the rest of the landmarks seem to be intact. 

As ever, I checked out the route on maps and did my own little analysis. I'm trying to mentally break the route down to 7 segments of 3 kilometers each - so somehow it seems more doable. Each 3k segment has a very "undaunting" time target attached to it which should help me in getting to the finish line in the targeted time. 

I've given myself a leisurely start with the first 3K being done in 23:00 minutes. That is mostly to allow for the inevitable crowded start. The next 3K is at 22:00 minutes which is also a comfortable target. The idea is to conserve some energy at the start. The balance sets of 3K can be done at a steady, moderate paced 21:00 minutes which should allow me to finish within 2:30. 

I ran a quick 3K on Wednesday to limber up - that would be my last run prior to race day. At a good effort, it took me 19 odd minutes to finish. So at a moderate effort I ought to be able to do 3K in 21 minutes and sustain it for the entire run.

I remember having mapped out such well-intentioned race plans before, but I do not recollect ever being able to stick by it. :-). Sunday will tell.