Your finishing time is only part of your race story. Using Harrison Shaw’s Cambridge Half Marathon as an example, Coach Ray explores how pacing, weather, recovery, fuelling and mindset influence performance — and why a structured race debrief can reveal valuable lessons to help you race smarter next time.
View More Did You Actually Have a Bad Race? Why Your Finish Time Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
Turn every race into a learning opportunity. Discover how a structured race debrief can reveal what worked, identify what held you back, and improve your next performance. Using Harrison Shaw’s recent racing as an example, Coach Ray explores pacing, recovery, mindset, fuelling and smarter race-day preparation for runners.
View More Your Last Race Is Data: How to Debrief, Recover and Race Smarter Next Time
Your first half marathon is exciting, challenging and full of unknowns. Learn what to expect during training, race week and across the 21.1km itself, including pacing, fuelling, fatigue and recovery. With the right preparation, you can arrive at the start line confident, prepared and ready for the challenge.
View More Your First Half Marathon: What to Expect Before, During and After Race Day
Learn how to pace your half marathon by starting smart, settling into race pace, and finishing strong. Discover why banking time early can backfire, how to divide 21.1km into three manageable sections, when to adjust pace for conditions, and how disciplined pacing can help you race your strongest final kilometres.
View More How to Pace a Half Marathon: Start Smart, Settle In & Finish Strong
Jess Bray’s Wellington Half Marathon wasn’t built on perfect preparation. After battling a hip injury and racing in miserable conditions, she produced a smart, resilient performance to finish in 1:25:12, claim 1st U20 female and 6th overall. Discover the lessons every runner can take from her inspiring race debrief.
View More From Hip Injury to 1:25:12: Jess Bray’s Wellington Half Marathon Debrief
The final 5 kilometres of a half marathon reveal how well you’ve trained, paced, fuelled, and prepared. Learn why strong finishes are built long before race day and discover practical strategies to help you maintain your pace, stay mentally focused, and finish your next half marathon with confidence.
View More The Last 5K Doesn’t Care How Good You Felt Early
Most runners focus on the start and finish of a half marathon, but the middle kilometres are where races are often won or lost. Learn why pacing discipline between 6K and 15K is critical, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to set yourself up for a strong finish.
View More Where Most Half Marathon Races Fall Apart
Starting your half marathon too fast can feel great early—but it often leads to a painful final few kilometres. Learn why smart pacing matters, how to control the opening 5K, and what strong runners do differently to finish well instead of simply hanging on late in the race.
View More If Your Half Marathon Feels Easy at 3K… You’re Probably Going Too Fast
Want to run a faster half marathon? Learn practical lessons from Jess Bray’s New Zealand championship-winning performance. Discover how pacing, threshold fitness, endurance, and finishing strength can help you achieve your next personal best and race smarter over 21.1 kilometres with proven coaching strategies that work for everyday runners.
View More How to Run a Faster Half Marathon: Lessons From Jess Bray’s New Zealand Championship Win