My running blog

Sunday, June 11, 2006

June 11, 2006
Olympic Discovery Trail Half Marathon 13.1 miles

Mile 1 & 2: 20:39 Not sure where that first mile was.
Mile 3: 10:41
Miles 4: 10:33
Mile 5: 10:56
Mile 6: 10:14
Mile 7: 11:45 Obviously up a hill
Mile 8: 10:46
Mile 9: 10:04
Mile 10: 10:52
Mile 11: 11:03 This is where I slow down.
Mile 12: 11:15
Mile 13: 9:22 Is that even possible?
Mile 13.1 plus the post race walk: 2:51. Here's the thing I need to practice - turning off the watch at the end of the run.

Okay, I guess I should finish this thing in the manner in which it started. I ran the half marathon. Everyone is quite proud of me. I guess I am pleased with the results. More than anything I have demonstrated for myself the importance of the journey over the result. This is a phrase I use often in my work but it seems that I haven't internalized it. Or recognized all the various applications. Or whatever.
My time was officially listed as 2:20:45 if you divide that by 13.1 you get... 10:72. If you are working in base 10, 10.72 < 11 which was my goal. I think actually my goal was to finish before the first marathoner arrived. I beat that by 15 minutes.

Now I need a new goal to work towards. I went running for the first time on Monday (or was it Tuesday?) I did a quick 5 miles (53 minutes). It was weird to just be running for no reason. It is all about the frame. Events happen, facts exist. To gain meaning from facts and events you need some context. I ran every day because I had a goal. Each run fit into the big picture as I moved towards my goal. at one point a 5 mile run was my long run, and later it was an "easy run." No single run had meaning or importance on its own. I could have cut out any one of my training runs and still succeeded in finishing the race, maybe not even affected the outcome.

I am at a strange mental place right now. I was so sick of running two weeks ago. I really liked permission to take a break. So I took a week long break. Now I feel like I need to get back to it or run the risk of losing all my momentum. In the few weeks leading up to the race I was starting to feel like a runner. I was getting to know what it felt like to have a good run or a slow run. I understood my own pace and abilities. But now, lacking a frame, I have no idea how far to run. Do I need to do long runs? Do I need to work on my tempo? Maybe some cross training. Do I take running gear with me on my trip next week? there is nothing forcing me to do anything and therefore I have no idea if I am doing the right thing.

Here is what I know: #1) I want to run the half marathon again next year. I want to run it faster. Right now I think a sub 10 minute pace would be good but I could reevaluate that as I get closer to the date of the race. I have some time. #2) I want to get new shoes.

Here is what I don't know: #1) What kind of training should I do now so I am not tired or bored of running this time next year? #2) What size shoe do I need? How soon should I get them? If I get shoes now, will I want another pair before the next half marathon? or will they last the year?

Monday, June 05, 2006

M June 5, 2006 6 miles 64:50

I didn't run 9 miles yesterday. That was supposed to be my long run before easing off. That means my last long run was a week ago. I am glad I did the 11 miles. My plan is to run 4 mi on Wednesday and 2 mi on Friday. Then it is race time. I got an update which I took to mean that they got my registration - the day before the cost went up $15. Team Tamara is preparing for the race by gathering materials to create their costumes. I am not sure what I will be wearing at this race but I have a feeling it will be red, white & blue the colors of Homestarrunner.com.

After Sunday I am going to dial down my "training" to more reasonable distances. Something that is more compatible to a beer drinker's schedule. (The reason I didn't run on Sunday was that I went out on Saturday Night - Michael's Happy Hour)

Friday, June 02, 2006

F June 2, 2006 ?6 miles 1:08

I was in Seattle. I ran along Lake Washington. I haven't run since the 11 miler last Sunday. I don't know if I went 6 miles. I just wanted to run for more than an hour. Kristin & Riley ran with me for the beginning of the run. This is the first time I have had a companion join me in the training. They went home after awhile and left me to my book. It was difficult to work the run into my plans. I was in Seattle for a Friday night. I had wanted to call up a bunch of folks and have a beer. By the time I got the run out of the way I ended up just drinking beer while watching a DVD on the computer.