9 miles . . and I feel fine.

I ran 9 miles this morning, and in the words of the immortal Michael Stipe, I feel fine.  Tried the Galloway method on the run and it was a big success.  A little over and 11:30 pace, which is what I hope to do for the upcoming half.  Basically, I ran a full mile longer than last week, but did it 15 minutes quicker.  Burned over 1200 calories.


For the first time since I started this quest, I think I am actually going to make it.  One month to go . . .

Bailey Bridge - Evening Run

First run of October. Took it easy. A nice slow jog as the sun was setting over North Bay in Lynn Haven. It rained most of the day and sprinkled on me a bit. Kind of liked it. Also, it was pretty windy with a storm system coming in over the Gulf and heading to the northeast.

Looking back, I ran 52 miles in September. Not as good as August, but I also included a lot more cross training this month to save my legs. The longer runs this month (7 and 8 miles) were challenging - especially the 8 miler. I was really really slow and beat at the end of that one. I going to keep adding miles this month and distance, but will be putting the Galloway method to the test on the longer (5 miles plus) runs. I think that will be the only way to do this. My mantra of “No Walking” is no more. It should be “walking required, you idiot” instead.

Looking forward to another month of training, then the race in early November. Keep wishing me luck. . . .

Run for the Renaissance 5K

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...

Working with Mr. Galloway

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.

Something New - Jeff Galloway

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.