Topic: Govtcheez gettin unfat! ver. a million update: he fatr

[Govtcheez]

I took a shower before I left home and then wiped my face off with a towel when I got in.  Now that I've got really short hair it's not nearly as bad.

Granted, I had like perfect weather this morning.  It was 50 when I left home.  I wore tights, a short sleeve tech shirt, and this jacket: http://www.amazon.com/Pearl-Izumi-Elite-Barrier-Jacket/dp/B003BLOU5G

[jkim]

yayyyy!  You've got lots of time.  What are your goals (trick question, your goal is to finish) and what's the race like?

Very residential, pretty flat, includes a 2.3 mi trail. Should be fun
http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/417260402

[Govtcheez]

That sounds like fun!  For my first half, I didn't follow a training plan for a half, I followed one for a marathon and scheduled my half in accordance with that.  I don't think that was probably the best way to go.  There are a million half plans out there, but Higdon's always a good place to start: http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51312/Half-Marathon-Novice-2-Training-Program

In general, they're all pretty much the same, especially for a first half.  4 days of running, two short, one medium, one long going up to 10 miles or so (though this plan goes to 12).  If you can get 10 miles done you can get through the half.  The other thing is tapering the week of the race, which just amounts to running less so that you can let your body recover a little bit before you do your race.  This is the training plan I'm doing right now, but I wouldn't recommend for someone running their first half: http://www.hansons-running.com/training-plans/half-marathon-training-plan/

Last 7 mile tempo run last night, hooray! 7:40 pace, but Strava takes out the 2-3 minutes I was waiting for stoplights.
http://app.strava.com/activities/141749609

[Govtcheez]

My training has been an absolute mess the last couple weeks.  I've only been running 2-3 times a week and not eating very well.  I don't feel like I'm going into the race this weekend in the shape I was hoping to be in, but it's too late to change it now.  Come on race day magic!

[Govtcheez]

http://app.strava.com/activities/148540298

Beat my goal time by one second, for a PR of almost 10 minutes from last year (7 minutes from my accidental half a few weeks ago).  It was quite a bit warmer than last year and I saw several people crashed on the side of the road because of it.  Heard about several people puking on the course too (I was almost one of them).  The medical staff was extra busy.  I actually walked (SHAME) for a few steps near the end - there's a looooong hill leading to the finish and my head was about to explode.  If I would have taken another step or two I would have missed my goal.  Can't believe it was that close. 

My buddy also ran this as his first half and finished in a little over 1:48, so that's pretty cool.

[Govtcheez]

Also I only ran 108 miles in May.  Shameful.

[charlie]

Nice! Congrats on the PR. That crappy mileage count for May really brings down the mood, though.

[Govtcheez]

I'm sorry I let you down.  The good news is I've got 13.2 in the books for June already!  On track for almost 400 miles this month!

[Govtcheez]

Did stroller runs to and from the park last night. Legs still pretty tired but didn't feel too bad.

[Govtcheez]

So I broke down and finally bought a race picture.  This was at mile 11.  The smile is not real.

[Mike]

What happened to the beard?

[Govtcheez]

The beard comes and goes, usually with the weather.  My wife really doesn't like it, so I may be clean shaven for the forseeable future.

[Govtcheez]

So last week I just took it very easy and ran about 11 miles total, 4 of that with a stroller ferrying Sammy to local parks.  This week will also be pretty easy.  Next week is the "official" start of marathon training.  I'm not sure what my time goal is.  I had been thinking 4 hours, but various places online say that my HM pace works out to a 3:40 full. I may split the difference and shoot for 3:45-3:50.  We'll see how I feel.

[Govtcheez]

http://running.competitor.com/2014/06/news/outrunning-blerch_105081

[Mike]

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/marathon_do