Has anyone run the Queens half marathon? Or planning to?

Just wanted to see if there was anyone else, and I have a question about hill training.

Re: Has anyone run the Queens half marathon? Or planning to?

I'm not doing it, but maybe I can help you with the hill training?

Re: Has anyone run the Queens half marathon? Or planning to?

I ASSumed it would be mostly flat, only to find out during my visit to Jack Rabbit that it is very, very hilly, and the woman who ran it considered it to be a challenge.

A little background, I'm a newbie runner. 6 miles in 60 minutes (outside, no incline) is just about comfortable. 3.1 miles in 30 minutes (doing a loop with a big steep hill) wasn't too painful. I tried to last an hour with my sister, running that same loop with the hill, for an hour, and hurt for 3 days.

I'm looking for a way to structure my practice runs and incorporate that hill and the treadmill. I have about 14 weeks.

I wonder if I have taken on too much, too soon for my fitness level? At some point, I'll see if I can get a friend to drive the race course with me, so I can get a better idea if it's too much.

Thanks for your help!

Re: Has anyone run the Queens half marathon? Or planning to?

Here's a map of the half-marathon I found:

half map

it shows the elevation if you click the box next to elevation in the top right corner of the map. It looks like it's mostly rolling hills. I think I heard there's a hill near the end.

I would incorporate hill training in your workouts. Every other week you should do hill training instead of a regular run. This will help develop those muscles you'll need and get you used to the hills.

If you look online, you'll find hill workouts you can do.

best way to run up a hill- keep your stride short and arms low. swing your arms low and quick, so you'll have a quick short stride up the hill. and run easy on a down hill- running fast can hurt your knees.

good luck!

Re: Has anyone run the Queens half marathon? Or planning to?

i'm planning on running it this year. they haven't yet released the course for it. it'll probably be the same as last year, but i wouldn't count on it. they completely reversed the direction of the brooklyn half this year.

anyway i agree with shiv's advice- try to do a hill specific workout at least every other week. you have plenty of time to get in shape for it so i wouldn't worry about that.

Re: Has anyone run the Queens half marathon? Or planning to?

I think you are doing great!

When you run, do you have any hills in the route? definitely start encorporating them. Try the loop again and again - that hill will start to get easier.


When I do hills, I get up on my toes...try to keep my arms low and pumping and I look ahead. I got a great piece of advice to look 20 yards past what you think the top of the hill is and repeat the mantra "up and over" to yourself. I say it out loud if I need to.

Re: Has anyone run the Queens half marathon? Or planning to?

Ladies- thank you so much for all the advice and encouragement! It's helped a lot in making my schedule.