Jason’s Half Marathon Training Blog

Today’s distance: 3.1 miles
Today’s time: 0:29:08 (09:24/mile)
Net calories burned: 19,741 (+342)
Total miles run: 233.1 miles

The purpose of today’s run was to keep the legs as fresh as possible: I tried to maintain a steady pace, kept an extra eye on any extra-large cracks in the road, and tried to avoid over-exerting myself. It was, admittedly, a little nerve-wracking to think this would be my last run before the race. I took a few extra minutes to get ready, a few extra minutes prepping the Garmin, and an extra moment here or there to stretch; I couldn’t risk anything the slightest chance of anything happening.

I felt calm and oddly peaceful on today’s run and I think I’m as ready as I’ll ever be at this point. The next two days are all about rest and preparation: supply- and clothes-shopping, Expo-attending, carb-loading, water-drinking, and sleeping all the way to early Sunday morning.

Today’s distance: 3.1 miles
Today’s time: 0:26:47 (08:38/mile)
Net calories burned: 19,399 (+360)
Total miles run: 230.0 miles

It’s hard to believe that this is my second-to-last run before the race. I’ve been relatively calm up until today, when the reality of it all hit me: I received an e-mail from the OC Marathon staff detailing the race day schedule of events, and it was then that a few butterflies crept in my stomach. I’ve done the mileage, but I haven’t picked up any supplies: GU Energy Gel and BodyGlide, mainly, but I’m also in need of a new pair of running shorts and shirt. Looks like Friday and/or Saturday will be my designated shopping day. The Marathon Expo is also on Saturday, so hopefully I can pick up a few free sample or two and scope out some vendors.

I did today’s run with a specific goal: to teach myself to continue running/pushing the pace when tired. I began the run a little faster than usual and when my legs started feeling fatigued, I tried to push myself a little harder. I know the feeling is going to come on race day during the last mile or two; it happens whenever I’m close to finishing a run (both short- and long-distance). My body and mind tend to flatten a bit at the end since I know I’m almost done. It’s not something I’ve specifically worked extensively on, but today was a start just to get my mind in race day mode. At this point, my primary goal is stay as fresh as possible on my legs; no tree trunked legs for me.

My diet this past week has been pretty good (for me, that is). I’m trying to fill my tank with clean, unleaded fuel: grilled chicken, grilled salmon, whole grains, lots of water, and the like. Coffee doesn’t count, right?

I have one more run to go before I recuperate and begin resting for the big race! I can’t wait.

Today’s distance: 6.0 miles
Today’s time: 0:55:58 (09:20/mile)
Net calories burned: 19,039 (+655)
Total miles run: 226.9 miles

I felt great today. With the race less than a week away, I told myself: “if you’re tired at the end of today’s six-miler, you’re in trouble.” Fortunately, with my mind set on nothing but building my race day mentality, I got through today’s six-mile run okay. It was no piece of cake to be sure, and I even thought I was running a sub 10-minute mile pace, but I’m glad I feel the way I do, both mentally and physically, for the time being. I made sure to ice my knees as soon as I got back indoors: no way am I risking knee or muscle pain this time around!

During today’s run, I began plotting my plan of attack for race day. For me, it’s all about hitting my stride: finding that perfect pace of equilbrium, where you feel so mentally/physically fresh that the fact you are running is the furthest thing from your mind. The feeling usually comes a couple miles into the run.

The plan for now, however, is two-fold: stay fresh and stay injury/sickness-free! Part of me still doesn’t believe the big day is so soon.

Today’s distance: 3.2 miles
Today’s time: 0:26:58 (08:26/mile)
Net calories burned: 18,384 (+330)
Total miles run: 220.9 miles

Kobe Bryant has been playing in the NBA for 10 or so years, and he’s still in great shape. He stays durable, injury-free, and effective not by trying to dunk or score on everyone, but by picking his spots in the game to attack and go for the jugular. After slightly tweaking the knee on my last run, I think this would be a good mind-set to adopt for the next two weeks: get the miles in and pick my spots to accelerate, thereby avoiding injury and staying as effective and ache-free as I can.

Today’s distance: 3.2 miles
Today’s time: 0:25:20 (07:55/mile)
Net calories burned: 18,054 (+342)
Total miles run: 217.7 miles

I ran in nearly 80-85 degree weather today, but for some reason, I was bursting with energy. I’ve been eating relatively well this past week and have been taking the daily multi-vitamin, so that may have something to do with it… or maybe it was my body’s way of thanking me for keeping the mileage to single digits.

There was a brief scary moment when I felt a more-painful-than-usual tweak in my knee. The pain quickly subsided and I continued running without further discomfort, but it was a little unsettling that I was still experiencing something of that nature this late in the game (I even had my brace on). I was somewhat sprinting at the time it happened, so I think I should be okay if I maintain a slower pace.

I’m really trying to tighten up my diet these next two weeks: I’m taking my multi-vitamin every day, staying hydrated with a lot of water, having a bowl of oatmeal daily, and I’m actually eating my vegetables. ME, of all people. I’m most definitely feeling the positive effects.

Today’s distance: 10.0 miles
Today’s time: 1:34:07 (09:24/mile)
Net calories burned: 17,712 (+1,072)
Total miles run: 214.5 miles

I won’t see a run of this magnitude ’til race day.

I’m one part relieved and two parts anxious that this is my last long distance run until Half Marathon day.

I tried to run this one at a faster pace to simulate the adrenaline/butterflies I’m sure to feel on race day, but I definitely started out too fast.  There was an older woman running right behind me, and she was keeping up pretty well. After 6 miles of keeping up with each other, we ended up waiting at the same crosswalk, where I complimented her on her speedy pace. “You’re a fast one too,” she said. “You’re at about an 8:00 minute pace.” It was at that point I realized I had bitten off more than I could chew, and I knew the next 4 miles were going to be a challenge. Glancing at my watch, she was right: I had been averaging abotu 8:00 to 8:30 minute miles, and I could already tell my legs didn’t feel the way they were supposed to at mile 7.

I’m not sure if I’m going to beat my previous half marathon time (which I ran at a pace of 9:07/mile), if I can barely finish a 10-miler at a 9:24/mile pace. But at this point, my ultimate goal is to finish as fast as I can, which, if all goes according to plan, I should be able to do.

Today’s distance: 3.2 miles
Today’s time: 0:29:04 (09:05/mile)
Net calories burned: 16,640 (+357)
Total miles run: 204.5 miles

I felt a little slower today, but I’m still working the rust off. My legs didn’t exactly feel fresh, but they didn’t feel like tree trunks either, which is good. I’m slowly getting my wind (and health) back.

This weekend’s long run will be the last long run before the race, which is admittedly a little nerve-wracking. I’m also not too sure how good I’ll feel doing it, but I’ll feel a lot more confident on race day if I can finish this one this weekend.

Today’s distance: 3.0 miles
Today’s time: 0:29:54 (09:55/mile)
Net calories burned: 16,283 (+321)
Total miles run: 201.3 miles

I haven’t been able to run this past week, thanks to a fever/cough that decided to visit me during the Easter break. My energy has been totally sapped, along with any momentum I had before last Wednesday.

My running legs are still not with me, but with the race less than a month away, I had to force myself out today and ultimately I’m glad I did. I purposely ran this one slow, trying to just get my wind and my legs back under me, and I think I achieved some of that. Hopefully I can fit in one last long run this weekend (maybe a 10-miler), and the upcoming shorter training runs will greatly determine my level of preparedness for that. Critical few days coming up ahead!

Both of my knees have been absolutely aching nearly all month (even when sitting down and relaxing), but I decided to ditch the knee brace today as a test run. Surprisingly, my knee held up well, despite some initial discomfort and wobbliness. But just to be on the safe side, I’ll keep the knee brace on for now, moreso as a precaution than anything else. Nonetheless, it’s good to know I’m not dependent on the thing.

Today’s distance: 3.2 miles
Today’s time: 0:29:13 (09:08/mile)
Net calories burned: 15,962 (+357)
Total miles run: 198.3 miles

I took my time with this one to just enjoy my surroundings and, for a good two or three minutes, forgot about distances, mile times, and training. I immersed myself in the music and put my mind in pure recreation mode and what resulted was a soothing, calming, albeit slower, run.

Still, my mind couldn’t stay off the thought of race day for too long. At this point, I’m trying to mentally prepare myself for the race.

Today’s distance: 3.2 miles
Today’s time: 0:26:58 (08:26/mile)
Net calories burned: 15,605 (+313)
Total miles run: 195.1 miles

These next four weeks are going to be important ones: getting restful sleeps, few lapses in my diet (except for my always-necessary off days, of course), listening to my body, taking my multi-vitamins, avoiding the injury bug at ALL COSTS, and, most of all, staying on top of my training runs. No more laziness! (I’m speaking to myself here).

From here on out, runs are slowly going to be tapered. A long run or two maybe, and basically keeping my legs, feet, and body fresh. It’s going to be an interesting month.

I took it easy during today’s run. The knees are starting to ache again, but I think I have more than enough ice packs at the ready.