It's a (Half) Marathon, Not a Sprint!

The course was FAST! The conditions were very close to ideal. The race was hard.

Official Time - 1:46:09

I'm thrilled with my time.


... more later ....


MILE SPLITS

8:48
8:59 Missed the 2 mile marker; Mile 2 was slighly faster and Mile 3 was slower.
7:42
8:09
7:36 Downhill fun begins!
7:54
7:42
7:40
7:54 Girl I was running with (Emily Fenwick) dropped me ... first mile on my own.
7:46
8:12 Body and mind pointing out I haven't gone this far before ....
8:42
9:05

Thursday Morning

I fell asleep with an ice bag on each knee last night. This seemed much more effective than the ice bath I took after last Saturday's long run.

This morning I am feeling very good. Hopefully this holds for 48 hours! I am actually surprised by how good I'm feeling. I need to remember to run on the track before big races since my body seems to like it much better than pounding the pavement!

At the moment my mental approach seems good. I'm viewing the race as two 5-milers followed by a 5K. The final 5K begins upon emerging from the mouth of Ogden Canyon. It sounds like there's going to be a bunch of hoopla going on in the streets (e.g., bands, street performers, spectators, etc.). I think I'll be looking for a lift at that point and I'm hoping the environment provides it for me. My current plan is to run the first 5 miles slower than the second 5 miles since the second 5 has the most elevation drop and is in the shade of the canyon.

Of course, all plans are subject to change as I tap the nether-reaches of my left-brain!

Good Tempo Run ... Am I Ready???

After a mile warm up on the track at Klein High School, I clocked a solid three-mile tempo run. Here are my quarter mile splits:

1:55
1:56
1:45
1:59 (7:35)
1:54
1:55
1:54
1:55 (7:38) (15:13)
1:54
1:57
1:57
1:53 (7:41) (22:54)


I felt pretty good and enjoyed the pace. My legs felt good and my knee did not bother me while running. Of course, it's really "screaming" now.

I'm experiencing a TON of nervous anticipation for this race. I'm caught wondering if I've trained properly for this experience and if I've put in enough miles.

I'm going to ice my knees on my way to bed!

Quick Notes

Just a couple of quick notes this morning.

• Found an article on running at altitude suggesting, among other things, that my race pace will be 6 - 10 seconds per mile slower. It also suggests racing conservatively and starting out slow. Just a few ideas to mull over leading up to Saturday.

• On a whim, I picked up the iPod+ Sport Kit on my way home last night. I hooked the receiver up to Cameron's Nano and put the "bug" under the laces of my Mizunos and circled the block. I can't figure out how it works since it is not GPS capable but at any point in the run I hit the Nano a voice came through the headphones giving me elapsed time, distance, and pace. Based on this very limited test (half mile), the technology was very accurate. I still question the overall accuracy since there was no calibration required. Ultimately, I doubt I'll use it much because the Nano and headphones drive me crazy while running. Cameron seemed excited about it so it looks like it ends up being his and I'll borrow it occasionally.

I've got 3 mile tempo run tonight at a pretty fast pace. I like the idea of my last workout being faster than Saturday's race pace. I'm considering running on the high school track rather than at Memorial. I don't like the 12 loops required on the track but my body probably prefers the rubberized surface of the track. My right knee has been bothering my a bit ever since last Saturday's long run so the track may be best tonight. ... weather may be a factor. I think there's a good chance of rain this afternoon.

Nice Easy Run

It was a beautiful night at Memorial Park. I made the 2.9 mile loop
in 25:54 for an 8:56 pace. Now I'm looking forward to good rest and
Wednesday's tempo run.

Training Schedule: May 13-19

This week is all about tapering for Saturday's half.

S-Rest
M-Weights (am) / Easy Run-3M @ 9:00 (pm)
T-Rest
W-5M including 1 warm; 3 tempo @ 7:40; 1 cool
T-Rest (fly to Utah)
F-Rest (runners' pre-race expo)
S-7 am start: Ogden half marathon
S-Recover (fly to Houston)