Ran a local 5K at Frank Brown Park. Tried a little but of the Galloway method - I walked into the erin station and once again for 30 seconds with about a half mile to go. Not sure f they helped or not. I did run a personal best time for a 5K though - right about a 10 minute mile pace. Felt like I could have done a little better though . … oh well. I wasn’t sure if the improved times were because elf the extra rest or the run-walk-run thing.
I am signing up for a 10K in Appalachicola next month. That is only a little less than half the distance of the half marathon, but should be a better test of where I am then. Also, I ordered a new set of shoes today in anticipation of the wearing out my old ones in the next month. I don’t want to go into the race with new shoes, but slightly used shoes. I ordered exactly what I am running in now - The Beast, by Brooks. Very satisfied with them after 400 miles or so...
Ran my first 3 miles yesterday using Jeff Galloway’s Run-Walk-Run method. It was strange, all that starting and stopping. But, I will say, I ran my best time ver three miles this training cycle and felt better at the end too, So I will continue using it, at least for a while longer.
Ran Galloway’s Mile Time Trial today. Did as expected. I have to dig into the books more to see what it means, but it is really a predictor of my half mile times. And the time was in the range of my goal. I will run another 3 miles tomorrow with the method, then a 5K this weekend. I think I will keep using is right up until my next long run next weekend. After that, should have a pretty good feel for it. Iw ill have done a race, short runs, and long runs.
So far, so good.
Last night, while nursing my sore legs, I realized that there has got to be a better way. So I started looking for alternative methods.
A friend of mine - quite an accomplished runner - had mentioned the run-walk-run method espoused by Jeff Galloway. I made a quick post on Facebook asking if anyone had used it successfully. And to my surprise, about 5 or 6 friends sounded off, almost all of them positive. I have never been a big fan of run-walk-run because I always have had a hard time starting to run again after walking. But Jeff’s programs seem to have shorter walk intervals. So base don the positive responses, I stopped by the book store this afternoon and bought a couple of Jeff’s books, including "Running Until You’re 100” for mature runners. I never though of myself as mature, but, man, do my legs hurt.
Running is so funny. I have been feeling great after runs of 5 miles, 3 miles, and 3 miles this week. I was looking forward to a long run this Sunday morning. Didn’t go anything like I expected. First, my legs were shot. I had plenty of aerobic capacity - really not even breathing that hard - but hips, knees and feet hurt. I didn’t have any zip, if you know what I mean. Then, my stomach started to be upset. Normally, you can fight through something like that, but when you are running for an hour and a half straight, things like that come up. So I had to fight through stomach pain and actually had to stop for a bit. Finally, my shoulders, back, and arms were hurting. Just not a fun morning.
But . . I did it. I finished 8 miles. It was the longest run of my life. It took over 2 hours if you include the stop. So, i should be happy and prod of myself. One thing is clear. This half-marathon thing won’t be easy.
Plan on taking an easy week this week and finishing it off with a timed 5K on Saturday.
Another three at sunset. Third day of running in a row. Eleven miles with eight more to go this weekend. Starting to get into a grove. Gotta keep pressing. I am starting to think i can do this thing. Eight miles this weekend will be a real confidence booster.