Chapter 1:
How to race a Half Marathon
- Start training for a marathon
- In the middle of week 7 (A rest week!) decide you want to race a half marathon and set a PR
- Make sure you have to pee before the race starts, but don't! Hold it!
- Start the race running 10 seconds faster than your 4 mile PR pace
- Hold that pace
- HOLD IT! (I mean the pee!)
- Hit the wall, and smash through it
- HOLD IT! (I mean the pace!)
- Sprint to the finish line victorious!
- SMILE!
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| Super smiley between miles 2-3! |
But seriously, kids, don't try this at home. I am not sure how I managed to beat my Brooklyn Half time by nearly 5 minutes. I went into this race not sure if it would be a long training run, or if I was going to try and race it. Once I started running my legs felt really fresh, like they were ready and willing to do what I told them to. The pace was quick, but my breathing was easy. I knew I'd either be able to keep up the pace and be victorious, or I would bonk at some point and this would be a disaster. It's weird to say I've set a record every time I've run a half marathon, but I know that just comes with the territory of being new to racing.
I've been doubting my speed and capabilities a lot lately, wondering if all the hard work I've been doing has even be worth it, and then I see the results of this race and it silences me. This race was a huge confidence boost for me. I know the cool weather always brings along better running, but us runners have our doubts. Definitely think a 4:30 marathon is within my reach.
On to week 8!
On to week 8!
Haha - that's an awesome blog post! I was actually thinking when we were running together that the pace might have been a bit fast for your goal that day, but you seemed fine with it - so I just kept going.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you were able to smash through the wall and PR - hope that there are many more ahead :)
It was really awesome to run the first 3-4 miles with you, it helped me get into a really good groove. Definitely started to feel gassed around the time I passed you at (one of the many) turn arounds--but someone managed to hold on.
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