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Half Marathon Training Update #12: It’s On.

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I’m training for a half marathon on 3/31. Running is not my strength. I’m a bad, bad runner. But pushing comfort zones is how we get better in life, so I persist.

Every Friday, I publish an update on my training. This is the final update (#12).

Holy crap, the half marathon is tomorrow. Before I told you how I wrapped up my training, I’ll show you what I did in Portland this week.

Portlandia

I like Portland a lot. The people are friendly and the city is big enough to be interesting.

On Tuesday, we went to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry where we learned about robots:

We also went to Blue Star Donuts which is AMAZING:

After careful scientific research which involved eating many donuts, I have come to the conclusion that Blue Star is better than Voodoo. It was close though and I’ll have to do follow-up studies to confirm my results.

On Wednesday, we went to a waterpark with a 747 on the roof:

On Thursday, we went to see Mt. St. Helens:

Later that day, the dinosaurs terrorized Portlandia at the world’s smallest park:

This morning, we went to Screen Door which may be the best breakfast place in the world:


Of course, I ate the above because I need the calories for the race tomorrow. That’s what I tell myself anyway…

 

Running Update

I’m feeling good about my running, even though I failed at some of my goals:

Weight below 150 (FAIL: Actual weight: 155): I lost a lot of weight recently, but it was before I started the half-marathon training. I found it much easier to lose weight when I was walking fast. I think it’s because walking put me in the fat-burning zone and running put me out of it. More here: https://www.verywellfit.com/are-you-walking-in-the-fat-burning-zone-3436869

Resting heart rate below 60 (FAIL: 61 was my lowest): This is a worthy goal and I’ll continue to work on getting into the 50s. A low heart rate means that you have a strong heart.

Run 150 miles (SUCCESS: 163 miles): Running got easier for me, but not until the very end of my training. I would have been better off with 4 months of training instead of 3.

Run at least 3 miles for every beer consumed(SUCCESS: 3.02 miles per beer): Drinking less is more. I plan to cut back further in the months to come.

Run the half-marathon in under 2 hours (To Be Determined): I run the race tomorrow and have no idea what my time will. Up until recently, I felt like this goal was silly. However, I’ve been running better lately. Update in a couple weeks…

 

And this week, I ran a grand total of 0 miles. I had two runs planned, but time got away from me. Maybe it was better this way since my leg pain finally disappeared this morning (Friday).

This Week In Running

  • Runs: 0
  • Miles: 0
  • Longest run: 0 miles

This Year In Running

  • Runs: 40
  • Miles per run: 4.07
  • Miles:  163 (goal is > 150)
  • Days until half marathon: 1 (TOMORROW!)

2018 Activity (walking included)

  • Total steps: 1,415,111
  • Total miles: 670.21

Weight, Heart, Beer

  • Weight: 155 (goal was < 150)
  • Low resting heart rate for the week: 61 (goal was < 60)
  • Beers consumed this week: 5
  • Beers consumed this year: 54
  • Beer ratio: 3.02:1 (3.02 miles ran per beer). Goal is > 3:1

This is my last half-marathon training update. Next Friday, I’ll tell you how I did and what my new fitness goal is.

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Comments

  1. Good luck!

    Start off conservatively. You will feel strong and the pack will be running fast to start. It is easy to run a couple miles and realize your pace is way to fast. Dying in the last 2 miles will cost you way more time than running the first two miles 1 minute too fast.

    Don’t change your morning routine tomorrow. Sip a sports drink. Light breakfast. Nibble on a granola bar.

    Consider a gu pack 1/2 way through. They might hand them out or you can carry one.

    Take a sip of water/sports drink at every water stop. Even a splash will help. Prepare to use the restroom 1 time during the run. Shouldn’t have to if you go right before the run. Watch out for long bathroom lines.

    Go time! You will have a blast.

  4. Blue Star is *DEFINITELY* better than Voodoo – no contest! Also, you can get Voodoo in Denver now – so all Portland-based donut-related calories should absolutely be saved for Blue Star.

  6. On our way. We’re ready… We’re excited. Did an 10 miler last Saturday. Then a 2 and a 3 this week.

    Legs feel good… I think we’re ready to rock and roll.

    We’re in the cab to the airport… see you in a bit!

  7. I like this stat: ‘3.02 beers per mile’ – but maybe you meant 3.02 miles per beer? The first stat is more like mine – apart from bottles of wine. and the decimal place moved two to the right…….
    …. Run like the wind tomorrow!

  8. No donut follow-up studies needed. As a former Portland dweller and donut consumer, I confirm your findings that Blue Star is indeed superior to Voodoo. Now, go enjoy another carb-loaded delight to fuel your marathon. Good luck tomorrow!

  9. Good luck tomorrow!
    My buddy just challenged me to a Strava running competition for next week. We’ll have to see how it goes but it may be a fun way to involve more of it in my life? Current = 0. But biking > 0, and boxing = 1.5+/wk