Did you know what I've learned from my training?
In preparing for the half marathon I ran last week, I have learned some things, about myself and about life too. I have learned I can push myself and do more than I would have thought I could-and it could be fun too! I learned how running for five minutes and walking for one can be a pattern for living life. My mom made a comment here on my blog about that. Just keep pushing along and go at it hard, step back for a short break, and then kick it in again. Seems like a reasonable way to push through life. I learned that sometimes the pain will sideline you and you have to keep plugging along with what you can do. I learned that I like to have a goal, something to reach for in my training. It helps with motivation and fun. I have learned that I like having the goals and challenges set before me. I have also been reminded of a saying my son heard/used when training for his black belt in karate: "Train hard, test easy".
Showing posts with label half marathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label half marathon. Show all posts
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Did You Know About My First Half Marathon?
Did you know about my first half marathon?
This morning I rang in the New Year by running my first half marathon! Marathon Bird and I got up early to travel to Kingwood, TX.
The weather was mild, no wind, no rain! We met another couple of friends there and were excited for the race to begin.
I think there were about 400 runners for both the half and full marathon. I was really anxious/antsy/jittery this morning. I had to go to the bathroom twice before the race, just to make sure! The race began at 8 am so it was good and light and the weather was just right-not too hot, not too cold. The course was concrete trails through a greenbelt area near Lake Houston. We were to complete two 6.55 loops for the half marathon.
The beginning of the race reminded me of the triathlon-a stampede of everyone crammed together. I did not like the first mile or so. I was getting frustrated that we had to start out so slow, but it had to be that way with so many people and by the first mile or so everyone spread out and it was not too bad. I stuck with my five minute run/one minute walk intervals. I was very tempted to skip the first walk and just get out of the crowd, but my friend had told me to stick with what I had trained. I am really glad I listened to her.
I knew I was going pretty fast but I was feeling good and wanted to keep on a good pace. I never checked the actual time but just kept to the five minute/one minute schedule. As I headed back to the turn around I noticed on one of the trees my friend's name posted. I remembered that when we started I overheard someone say "Watch for your name on the trees." I thought maybe some folks had posted encouraging messages to friends. Then, I noticed my other friend's name, and then his wife's. So I guessed they had posted every participant's name and I was looking for mine by then. As I came to the turn around I was really happy and feeling good. A little ways back I notice my own name posted on one of the trees! That was fun!
I had a hard time keeping track of the mileage, I think I would miss seeing the appropriate mile marker some times. By the time I got back around to mile ten I was really happy. I was feeling good and decided I would go ahead and eat my gel pack to sustain me through the end of the race. (I had at first decided not to eat it, but as I got that far I felt I needed it.)
Beginning at about mile eight I got to where I was clapping every time I saw a mile marker! Mile eleven again proved to be the hardest for me, but not too very bad. I think doing the run/walk system and getting sips of water every so often really helped.
I finished with a good time of 2:14:41. This beat the goal I had set for myself by 15 minutes! I was really pleased when they handed me a little stuffed bat (why a bat? don't know!) with my finishing place marked on it!!
I also loved the giant medals we got! We could not hear well when they were being shown off before the race, but apparently this was the ten year anniversary for this race and so they wanted them bigger and better!
I really, really enjoyed doing this half marathon. I love how it is held on New Year's Day. I love how it is open to everyone, elite runners (it's a Boston qualifier) all the way to the walkers (the course time limit is dusk!) The volunteer staff was great! We got great goodies. And they did not even limit me on how much pizza I could eat after the race!! :)
This morning I rang in the New Year by running my first half marathon! Marathon Bird and I got up early to travel to Kingwood, TX.
The weather was mild, no wind, no rain! We met another couple of friends there and were excited for the race to begin.
I think there were about 400 runners for both the half and full marathon. I was really anxious/antsy/jittery this morning. I had to go to the bathroom twice before the race, just to make sure! The race began at 8 am so it was good and light and the weather was just right-not too hot, not too cold. The course was concrete trails through a greenbelt area near Lake Houston. We were to complete two 6.55 loops for the half marathon.
The beginning of the race reminded me of the triathlon-a stampede of everyone crammed together. I did not like the first mile or so. I was getting frustrated that we had to start out so slow, but it had to be that way with so many people and by the first mile or so everyone spread out and it was not too bad. I stuck with my five minute run/one minute walk intervals. I was very tempted to skip the first walk and just get out of the crowd, but my friend had told me to stick with what I had trained. I am really glad I listened to her.
I knew I was going pretty fast but I was feeling good and wanted to keep on a good pace. I never checked the actual time but just kept to the five minute/one minute schedule. As I headed back to the turn around I noticed on one of the trees my friend's name posted. I remembered that when we started I overheard someone say "Watch for your name on the trees." I thought maybe some folks had posted encouraging messages to friends. Then, I noticed my other friend's name, and then his wife's. So I guessed they had posted every participant's name and I was looking for mine by then. As I came to the turn around I was really happy and feeling good. A little ways back I notice my own name posted on one of the trees! That was fun!
I had a hard time keeping track of the mileage, I think I would miss seeing the appropriate mile marker some times. By the time I got back around to mile ten I was really happy. I was feeling good and decided I would go ahead and eat my gel pack to sustain me through the end of the race. (I had at first decided not to eat it, but as I got that far I felt I needed it.)
Beginning at about mile eight I got to where I was clapping every time I saw a mile marker! Mile eleven again proved to be the hardest for me, but not too very bad. I think doing the run/walk system and getting sips of water every so often really helped.
I finished with a good time of 2:14:41. This beat the goal I had set for myself by 15 minutes! I was really pleased when they handed me a little stuffed bat (why a bat? don't know!) with my finishing place marked on it!!
I also loved the giant medals we got! We could not hear well when they were being shown off before the race, but apparently this was the ten year anniversary for this race and so they wanted them bigger and better!
I really, really enjoyed doing this half marathon. I love how it is held on New Year's Day. I love how it is open to everyone, elite runners (it's a Boston qualifier) all the way to the walkers (the course time limit is dusk!) The volunteer staff was great! We got great goodies. And they did not even limit me on how much pizza I could eat after the race!! :)
Monday, December 22, 2008
Did You Know I Ran Thirteen Miles Today?
Did you know I ran thirteen miles today!
I am so excited that I actually completed thirteen today! I was going to do 11 but when I decided to go ahead and do 12, I thought, well, I ought to go ahead and do 13! I did use the five minute run/one minute walk method and it worked out really well. I got pretty tired mile 11-12, but overall I am very happy with the way today's run went. Now I get to cut back on the mileage until race day!!
I am so excited that I actually completed thirteen today! I was going to do 11 but when I decided to go ahead and do 12, I thought, well, I ought to go ahead and do 13! I did use the five minute run/one minute walk method and it worked out really well. I got pretty tired mile 11-12, but overall I am very happy with the way today's run went. Now I get to cut back on the mileage until race day!!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Did You Know I am Still Trying to Figure Out My Running Pattern?
Did you know I am still trying to figure out my running pattern?
Because I don't have a lot of time before my half marathon, I am still trying to figure out my running pattern. Some of my running friends told me to go with a five minute run/one minute walk plan. When I began to implement this on my six, seven and eight mile runs, I felt like it was too much starting and stopping. I tried a ten minute run/one minute walk and it was ok. But when I did that on my eight mile run, my legs got tight. So on my 9.5 mile runs this week I have tried both the 5:1 plan and today tried something new. I ran for three to 3.5 miles then walked for one minute. My legs were pretty tired and it really wasn't any less time than doing the 5:1 run/walk. So I guess I might as well stick with that and not be as tired. All I know is that for now, with all this running, I won't be taking a diet pill even though I am eating a lot more!
Because I don't have a lot of time before my half marathon, I am still trying to figure out my running pattern. Some of my running friends told me to go with a five minute run/one minute walk plan. When I began to implement this on my six, seven and eight mile runs, I felt like it was too much starting and stopping. I tried a ten minute run/one minute walk and it was ok. But when I did that on my eight mile run, my legs got tight. So on my 9.5 mile runs this week I have tried both the 5:1 plan and today tried something new. I ran for three to 3.5 miles then walked for one minute. My legs were pretty tired and it really wasn't any less time than doing the 5:1 run/walk. So I guess I might as well stick with that and not be as tired. All I know is that for now, with all this running, I won't be taking a diet pill even though I am eating a lot more!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Did You Know I Signed Up for a Half Marathon?
Did you know I signed up for a half marathon?
In the past I was never too interested in running that much. My husband had wanted to do a marathon. It's just that most are on Sundays and we won't miss church to go do it. He has been a "bandit" in the Houston marathon by going up early and running as much as he could alongside the crowd, then dropped out and made it back in time for church! He even signed up for a marathon after that, but got injured and couldn't run it. This time, I found one on New Year's Day. I love the idea that it is on Jan. 1 (which is not a Sunday this year.) Also, it is a run/walk on a flat course with no time limit (other than having to be done by dark.) So I figured I'd give it a try. My friend Marathon Bird is going to run it with me. My other friend is on the waiting list (yes, registration is already full!) I have begun my training which is really compressed into a short time frame. But I am looking forward to it. I hope I can do the majority of it jogging, but know that if all else fails, I can walk it.
In the past I was never too interested in running that much. My husband had wanted to do a marathon. It's just that most are on Sundays and we won't miss church to go do it. He has been a "bandit" in the Houston marathon by going up early and running as much as he could alongside the crowd, then dropped out and made it back in time for church! He even signed up for a marathon after that, but got injured and couldn't run it. This time, I found one on New Year's Day. I love the idea that it is on Jan. 1 (which is not a Sunday this year.) Also, it is a run/walk on a flat course with no time limit (other than having to be done by dark.) So I figured I'd give it a try. My friend Marathon Bird is going to run it with me. My other friend is on the waiting list (yes, registration is already full!) I have begun my training which is really compressed into a short time frame. But I am looking forward to it. I hope I can do the majority of it jogging, but know that if all else fails, I can walk it.
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