i know a 10k would be good, but they’re hard to find these days. so… any thoughts on the value of a 5k? for background, i ran a 4:03 in placid last year and a 1:40 at tupper lake 1/2 im.
I don’t see how it will hurt you. Just use it as your speed work for the week.
Well, I don’t know, what does Maffetone thinks about it? 
Any time you can get the tempo up for a consistent workout at a pace that is faster than your race pace is good for you. Treat it as speed work and don’t taper for it and just go hard and have fun.
lol!
is that a no?
Please insert a $100 bill for the next word of advice…
Good testing session? Yes if you can repeat it in a similar course 6-8 weeks from now. Good training stimulus that has a specific, definite impact for your preparation of a HIM race? Probably not.
Really??.. anytime you can lay down a race effort that’ll boost you’re ability to run a half-marathon faster, why wouldn’t you recommend it?.. if pro IM athletes race short run races in the off season, why would you not recommend it for a HIM?.. that doesn’t make sense to me.
I think some people get to wrapped up in long long long… a 5km run race can be coupled with a good ride in the afternoon and you’ve had a great training session for a HIM…I think… SAS why would you recommend against it?..since you are a coach and I’m not. (Maybe if an athlete can’t recover, but that’s the only down side I could see, please fill me in).
Do your athlete’s not do 15/16min tempo sessions ??
Trev
no.
Read again what I wrote: "Good training stimulus that has a specific, definite impact for your preparation of a HIM race? Probably not. "
I said “specific, definite impact”. That is what the original poster was looking for I think, a run race that would have a specific, definite impact on his preparation. I also gathered that this race would be close to his HIM, I might be wrong there though.
A 5K race is an excellent training stimulus close to VO2Max. It can have its role in preparing a HIM, but not too close to a race. I wouldn’t say a 5K maximum effort would qualify as a “tempo run”.
And to answer to your question directly, no, my athletes never do a 15-16min tempo run. The minimum time is 20min, up to one hour. Also I don’t think Smartass34 runs a 5K under 16min
besides, you prefer 8ks 
.
I actually don’t… but you and sedi seem to LOVE it… :-p
We really love it!!!
When is the next one?
I have to beat that 27:20, and this time I’ll try not to do the first km in 3:10!!! 
{I said “specific, definite impact”. That is what the original poster was looking for I think, a run race that would have a specific, definite impact on his preparation. I also gathered that this race would be close to his HIM, I might be wrong there though.}
yes, i want a specific, definite impact. no, the 5k is 3 months out from the 1/2im. does that change your answer? the check is in the mail - puerto rico, right?
3 months out it is a good workout only if you’re working on developing the VO2Max through working close to that intensity.
On it’s own, I’d say that a 5K is probably not the ideal race distance in gearing up for a 1/2 IM…but, if you can get there early and run the course once pre-race at a warm-up pace, building to tempo, and then line up for the 5K and let it all hang out, I’d say it’d be worth the entry fee. This way, you’re getting decent mileage for your 1/2 IM training and getting some good strength/LT work during the actual race.