Jason’s Half Marathon Training Blog

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: 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: 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.

Today’s distance: 3.2 miles
Today’s time: 0:25:57 (08:07/mile)
Net calories burned: 11,678
Total miles run: 159.6 miles

Those first few steps of your first run of the week always has a degree of wobbliness to it, but I guess wobbliness is to be expected. Even in this case: having bypassed the usual weekend long-distance run, I felt relatively fresh today.

I’ve learned that, on weekdays (emphasis on weekdays) I forego running, my body doesn’t feel right. I don’t know how to describe it: to be sure, I’d much rather spend my time sitting down with a box of cookies than sweating out last night’s six slices of pizza on the pavement, but for some reason my day doesn’t have the same zing as it normally does on days I do run. I guess it’s good in a way; whatever motivation I can scrap together for a run is always needed.

My “training diet,” as of late, hasn’t exactly gone down the crapper, but it’s definitely taken a small dive. I used to be a little more conservative with what I put in my body, but I later discovered that I just wouldn’t have the energy/calories needed to finish my long runs without collapsing in a small heap. So I guess in a way the added calories are actually necessary (or this is just me trying to justify cupcakes as part of your balanced breakfast).

Today’s distance: 3.0 miles
Today’s time: 0:27:46 (09:15/mile)
Total miles run: 30.0 miles

My legs are beginning to tire a bit and pounding those hills yesterday is probably the most likely culprit. I took this one easy today and just felt flat-out fatigued at the end of the run. Taking tomorrow off sounds like a good idea to me.

The good news is that I’m slowly, but surely, developing a daily running routine. I tell myself that, during the week, I should be running more often than I’m not; that is, at least four days a week. On days I don’t run, my body is telling me I should be running: not running at all in a day is not the status quo. I like this slowly-developing mentality, as it will help force my butt out the door and on the pavement on days I’m feeling lazy, which I’m sure will come by the truckload.

So far, I haven’t mentioned anything about my training diet. It’s nothing drastic: I’m simply eliminating any and all soda consumption, eliminating all trans fats, drastically decreasing the fast/junk food consumption (only eating out once a week, twice on rare occassions), and eating more fish (especially salmon, which I love, so this part isn’t so hard). So far I’ve been able to follow suit on all three with the help of the food log I keep on my phone. But of course, I’m a food fiend. I love food too much (especially when my fellow food aficionado/chef sister and I join forces) to knock all the bad stuff out, so I know I’m bound to break several of these rules. But establishing guidelines is the first step to success, yes?

On another note, my Garmin Forerunner continues to crap out on me with continuous “Weak GPS Signal” alerts. As a result, a good chunk of my miles had to be guesstimated. What gives, Garmin?