Updated Finish Time

Here is my actual "chip" time, from when I crossed the starting line to when I crossed the finish line:

It was actually 12 seconds better than the time I tracked - I didn't stop my timer right as I crossed the finish line.

2:05:42

I did it! I finished in 2:05:42, about 25 minutes better than my previous best time. Now I shall rest!

Ready to go

I'm at the starting line. Race starts in about 30 minutes.

Less Than 2 Weeks!

If the race was a 5K, I'd be in great shape. This morning, I ran 3.1 miles in 27:42. Unfortunately, I will have to go 10 miles farther than that!

Actually, I am feeling pretty good about my readiness for the half marathon. I have been able to complete 7 and 8 mile runs at around a 9:30 minutes per mile pace. I did have a couple of setbacks recently: I had to stop and walk at the 8 mile point when I tried to do a 10 mile run (I did then run a little over a mile more) and I had to take almost an entire week off due to a cold. But I still think I will be ready to give it a good shot a week from Saturday.

I have a couple of goals. First, I'd like to top my previous best time and finish in less than 2 hours 30 minutes. Second, I'd really like to finish in less than 2:15. Third, I'd like to walk for less than 10 minutes (I'd prefer to not walk at all, but I'm not going to beat myself up if I do have to walk some).

For my last long training run this Saturday, I'm going to try one more time to run 10 miles. I don't want to try anything longer because I will have to do the actual race a week later.

7 Miles

I did a 7 mile run this morning - more than half the total distance of the actual half marathon. It was a great day for a run:  low 60's, light breeze, no rain. I completed the run in 1 hour, 6 minutes, 37 seconds, an average pace of 9:27 per mile. I'm not sure I could keep up that pace for an entire half marathon, but I felt like I still had some energy left in the tank when I reached the 7 mile mark, so we'll see. Everything has been going fine with the training, though my short runs during the week have been pretty hit-or-miss with my work schedule. The real good thing is that I have not had any injuries even as I have increased my distance up to 7 miles. Let's hope it stays that way as I keep increasing my distance!

Five Miles

I was able to run my longest distance this year today. I went 5 miles in about 48 minutes. It was sort of humid, but no where close to wear it was when I did my 4.5 mile run last Saturday morning (then, it was 84 degrees and felt like 91 by about 8:30 when I finished). Even though I went a half mile further today than last week, I felt much better at the end.

I am on track to build up to the half marathon by the day of the race, which is all I can hope for. I have actually been running about 30 seconds per mile faster than my target pace in previous years. The last time I ran the half marathon, I hoped to run at about a 10 minutes per mile pace. So far this year, I have been running at around a 9:30 pace, and I haven't really been pushing myself (I have felt like I was just going at a comfortable pace). 

I think I am going to shoot for a 9:45 pace for the race this year, at least as a goal. That would have me finishing at just under 2 hours and 8 minutes, which would be over 20 minutes faster than my previous races. With that goal, I think I will still finish better than my previous times even if I end up having to walk a little. For now, that is my goal. If I start doing significantly better on my long runs, or significantly worse (or if I get injured again), I may revisit it. Wish me luck!

Back on the Half Marathon Training Plan

After some leg pain issues, I have finally built back up to running a distance on my half marathon training plan. I should be on pace to build up to 13.1 miles by the date of the Air Force Half Marathon.

I did a nice 3.5 miles run today at about a 9:15 min/mile pace. It was a great day for a run and I felt fine.