Bowulf – Atkins Diet Video Blog

2006 Des Moines Half Marathon

From yesterday (Saturday):

I have been training officially 4 months for tomorrow’s half marathon. (http://www.desmoinesmarathon.com) In honesty, it’s more like 11 months since the last race I had since I backed out of the 12 mile race earlier in June. I’ve been tapering my running for last week or two, and I am anxious to actually get out there now. I can understand how runners might burn themselves out in the first couple miles with starting out too fast — I am so ready to do it today. Even though I only haven’t run in 4 or 5 days, it’s funny how your body misses what previously would have been torture.

My realistic goal for tomorrow right now is to beat 2 hours (~9 minute/miles). My optimisitic everything goes right goal is to finish in 1:45 or less (8 minute/miles which would be 145th place last year ). My last tapered long run of 6 miles I did it in my best time yet, so I am more and more optimistic that I can attack my lower goal. Over 1700 people are doing the Half with me in comparison to 1300 for the full. For those who cared, I certainly NOT (edited: oops )have carbo-loaded at all. If I meet my goals, I am so in the Full Marathon group next year!

Can you tell I am excited? Wish me luck.

I completed my half marathon. The 13.1 miles were more grueling than I suspected. My first 7 miles were smooth, and I was solidly in the 1:40 crowd. I think lack of miles or “base” conspired against me, and the final 6 miles were much tougher. I gutted out the final miles sometimes seemingly walking as much as I ran. I did however meet my goal! I crossed the finish line in an unofficial time of 1:55. It might not have been my best possible time, but I did my best. The good news about running your first race at that distance is you are guaranteed a Personal Record (PR). At this time, I looking forward to next year and beating that time.

I am firmly convinced now that conventional wisdom of not training to race distance is not best for me. Trusting your body to carry you the additional 20% distance is problematic. Tryng to run on mile 11 and 12 was completely new to my knees, and probably attributed to my slow times on those miles. Next year I am going to run at least 13 miles in training first. Next up is the Living History Farms cross country 7-mile race through the mud and the muck in a month. I am hoping to encourage my wife to run that race with me.

PS I did carb load yesterday. I ate 30 carbs instead of 25.

October 15th, 2006 Posted by admin | Weight Loss / Exercise | no comments