Wow. No posts in November or December..... except for a weekend training run the first weekend in November my posting and weekend running for that time period lines up perfectly.
My 2011 fall running season can best be described as how not to train for a half marathon. The good news is that I ran on average 3 times a week for much of the fall. The not so good news is that I averaged 5 miles on those runs. Not bad for the general public.....not good for training for mid to long distance races.
After completing the 3rd annual Jazz Half (my 2nd consecutive) the last weekend in October, I looked forward to having plenty of time to train properly for the Louisiana Half. That didn't happen. I blamed myself for lack of motivation; however, I believe things may turn around for my next training session which just began. I have been having Achilles issues since May of last year. I've had these issues before and they seem to linger for what seems like forever, resolving themself on their own timetable. While the Achilles is just tender to the touch and sensitive when both walking and running, it is not an acute injury that will keep you from running altogether. As such, my training the past few months has been on the light side but still there; when co-workers comment that I'm walking funny, I know its time to back off the running.
I was really pleased with the Louisiana Marathon/Half experience this past weekend. The race was marketed as an alternative for those that did not get into Houston. For me, it was a better experience than Houston as I'm presently on the smaller events kick. My biggest complaint about the event is that they advertised no day of race pickup so I had to drive the expo Saturday to pick up my race packet and then back for the race Sunday morning. I realize they want you at the expo to view sponsors stuff and all, but you go to enough of these expos and they really all start to look alike.
The weather for the weekend was made to order for runners in my opinion. It was in the mid 30s at the start and around 45 when I finished nearly 2 hours later. I believe my splits below indicate my level of training/fitness was good for almost 10 miles. The last 5k was tough for me.
Mile 1 9:25
Mile 2 8:55
Mile 3 8:43
Mile 4 8:59
Mile 5 8:58 4&5 were tracked together on my splits and included a potty break
Mile 6 8:17 thanks to the much appreciated potty break
Mile 7 8:46
Mile 8 8:34
Mile 9 9:02
Mile 10 9:33
Mile 11 9:16
Mile 12 9:11
Mile 13 9:42
Last .1 1:05
Chip time: 1:58:17
Half marathon 63 is in the books. Just 37 more 1/2's to meet the Half 2 Run group's 100 half marathon challenge. Well maybe just 35 as I believe 25k's count as well!
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