Training Update #1 

Training Update #1

Due to the overwhelming number of requests for an update on my training from our tens (of thousands?) of readers, I’ve decided to indulge you with the latest.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, I’ve gotten back into the running mix and signed up for my first half marathon on March 26^th. I convinced Shawn to do it with me, along with his brother, Alex, and my friends, Eric, Zack, and Buck, in hopes that a little friendly competition would make us all train a little harder.  I started training on December 18^th, and thanks to my awesome running log, I’ve tracked my progress so far and can look back and evaluate how things are going.  Here’s where I’m at:

31 runs logged out of 46 days = roughly 1 day off for every 2 days on…not impressive!

148 miles logged

Quickest run = 6.4 miles in 44:14 (6:55 pace)

Slowest run = 3 miles in 25:00 (8:20 pace)

Ignoring the numbers and going on how I feel during (and after) my runs, I’m definitely getting back into the swing of things after a month and a half.  The first few days are an interesting combination of excitement to be back and soreness in just about every leg muscle.  Then you get a few weeks in, and while the soreness has left, the motivation to get out and run is tested with a little help from Mother Nature.  With only 49 days till the race, I still have an opportunity to build up my mileage and put myself in a better position to reach my race goal.  My main focus will be to steadily increase my mileage over the next 5 weeks while minimizing missed days.  I’d love to hit 50 miles a week before race time, and missing more than one day a week makes that pretty tough without hefty long runs.  Any time I’m tempted to skip a day, I’ll just picture Shawn’s Neanderthal-like stride pulling away from me and I’ll be sure to lace them up and hit the road.