Back to Where I Started

Got my Treo 650 camera lens a little sweaty today. Took this picture at 13 miles into my long run today...and I was sweaty!

I'm ready for the 1/2 marathon next Saturday. I'm confident that I can beat my old PR (personal record) for the half.

Man, my legs are tired tonight! ha!

Thirteen Achy Breakies

With my 1/2 marathon coming up in 2-weeks (April 1st) I know I need to get in a good long run this weekend. The weather is 30 F and sunny this morning so I'm venturing out.

My last "long run" was the marathon back in early January. A few months of not doing long runs means I'm a bit out of condition. My longest runs have been 7 miles. I'm stashing a bottle of water at 7 miles (home) and layering up for 13 miles today.

GOOD news! I made it! I did my two 6.9-mile loops in 2 hours and 10 minutes. Passed the 1/2 marathon point at 2:05:30. Wow, I was getting tired and my legs were not moving too fast at the end.

No blisters! No injuries!

Spandex

Second day in a row that I ran my 7 mile loop!

Today it is colder so I'm wearing a winter hat, gloves and running pants. The running pants could substitute for '80s rock 'n' roll spandex, but these slacks have a zip pocket in the back for my mobile phone/camera. The Treo fits perfectly back there. No need for my typical shades for my eyes. I'm running eyewear nude today.

My legs feel like I'd been running. I feel a bit slower today. Finished in exactly 1:02.

April Fool

I've decided to run a 1/2 marathon on April 1st so I'm to training!

My upcoming 1/2 marathon goal is to break my official PR of 2:08:30 which I set at the Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 in Jan 05.

Temps reached 50 F which motivated me to get outside for a 7 miles loop run. I set my Garmin Forerunner watch to beep at every mile so that I could take a 25 second walk break. I've decided to use this "Galloway" training method again. I had gotten away from it as my milage increased for the marathon. It's actually hard for me to take a walk break when my mind doesn't think I need one.

As I completed my first mile, walk break for 25 second. Second miles completed, walk break for 25 seconds. 3rd mile completed, 25 second walk break. It started to sprinkle on me at 3.5 miles into my run, but at mile four I still took my 25 second walk break. By mile 5, I was in the middle of a downpour. I still took the 25 seond walk break. At mile 6, lightning and pouring rain convinced me to just run! My shoes were soaked, but I was making good time.

The sun peeked out for my final 1/4 mile. I finished at home in just under an hour. 59:48 for 7 miles. Not bad for my first longer run in 2 months.