Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Post Half Marathon

Well....the excitement is gone, the race is done and now what? I plan to run @ least 3 half marathons and a full next year, but that starts in April! This is Northern Michigan, land of feet of snow! I decided to take some time off from running until my legs loosen up (still a little stiff) and feel like the biggest slug around! I swear to god I can actually feel pounds getting added on day to day. (in fact....my weight has not changed by 1 ounce)

My wife has decided at this point she doesn't want anything to do with a marathon, and I'm ok with that. 13.1 miles is one thing....double the distance is quite another! She knows me better then most though. The spring and early summer half's I have scheduled I'm shooting for goal times in the neighborhood of 1:35 - 1:50. Yeah, a pretty wide range, but until I run one for myself, I won't really know what I'm capable of. I know I can break 2 hours without a problem, but each minute off of that will be that much harder. (funny how that works) When I started this, I was creeping up on the 220's. Now, I'm only 5'10, so I was squarely in the overweight category. In my 180's now, according to BMI, I'm still considered overweight by a smidgen but I wouldn't want to lose anymore then probably 10 pounds at this point. I started by not being able to run 1 mile any faster then a 10 minute pace. Now, on a flat course I can bust out 3 miles in 23 minutes. I'm not speed demon, but its a big improvement. I know I can hold a 91/2 - 10 minute pace all day long. It all was done my increments of small steps, gradually increasing my mileage and always trying to run faster at shorter distance tempo type runs.

This winter, I will continue to run about 25-30 miles per week. Instead of long runs on Saturday, Ill probably change to a 4 day 6 mile run or a 5 day 5 mile run. (or maybe mix something similar up) Ill keep the three week on one week light throughout the winter. Also, I'm going to implement a core workout routine. I hate core workouts....with a passion. If I'm not sweating buckets, I don't feel like I've done anything. I love to run...one of those people that actually enjoy it. My wife has the P90x routine, and I might try that out. Something that concentrates on developing the core, which I have just ignored this past couple year. (I'm a runner with a one pack...while I don't expect a six pack, I could do without the mini keg up front!)

Had to get all of this out! Call in post run depression or whatever. I'll keep up my routine, I know that.

1 comment:

  1. This post is very interesting. Hope you can add pictures on your race.. :)

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