Half Marathon Run

Thursday, Mar 12:

Thirteen miles on the indoor track, the longest run since the Birmingham marathon almost four weeks ago. I didn’t feel full of extra energy, but there was enough to finish with an overall pace under 9:00. Just enough.

I ran an extra lap and a half, to make it a half marathon, and despite the modest energy level it was the fastest half marathon I’ve run in quite a while. That’s a good thing. Breathing was appropriate for a cruising pace for most of the run, going to three footfalls per full breath, indicating a race pace, for much of the last two miles. Leg muscles felt leaden and empty in those last two miles as well. Very weary. But they kept going, and this run will make them stronger for next week’s longer run.

Water every two miles, Clif Shot gel after miles four and eight. Calf muscles threatened to cramp up after the run, but otherwise NO PAINS at all. Yay! It’s a masterpiece, it really is.

Splits: 8:49, 8:50, 8:58, 8:49, 9:14, 8:49, 9:06, 8:55, 9:17, 8:51, 9:10, 8:51, 9:03, 0:59 (0.11 mi), total 1:57:41, pace 8:59.

Tuesday, Mar 10:

Another Six. An OK day today, six miles in 52:27, pace 8:45. I didn’t feel full of energy, but mostly ran at a comfortable, natural pace, breathing four footfalls per full breath, and had enough to speed up a little in the last mile without breathing much harder. So it must have been an OK run. I ate fairly lightly yesterday, which was DEX day, so muscles were probably not refreshed and refilled as well as they should have been. Hopefully they will be ready by Thursday’s longer run.

Splits: 8:50, 8:36, 8:44, 8:50, 8:52, 8:35, total 52:27, pace 8:45. It’s a masterpiece!



Dinner: No-hormone no-antibiotic lamb, organic squash, organic salsa, kiwi.