1500 Days to Freedom

Think different and escape the rat race.

Half Marathon Training Update #6: No Sleep Till Portland

by

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

Every Friday, I’ll post an update on my training. This is Update #6.

On 2/7 (Wednesday), I ran the longest I’ve ever run, 7.5 miles. That was great! Except when it wasn’t. My legs were tired and sore immediately after the run.

On Thursday, they still hurt.

I was going to run on Friday, but they still hurt.

On Saturday, there was a little pain in the morning, but I decided to go to the track anyway. One lap into it, the pain kicked up again. And it wasn’t just muscle pain; there was something strange going on in the interior of my left knee. That scared me, so I jumped on the recumbent bike for 90 minutes instead which was pain-free.

On Monday, I finally felt better, so I went to the gym and cranked out 4.5 miles including some sprints. Although the run was pain-free and the sprints felt really good, I had missed a day which I’m not happy about.

 

No Sleep Till Portland

I’m not healing because of lack of sleep. My issue is that I wake up early no matter what time I go to bed. Like 5am early. And I haven’t been getting my ass in bed at a healthy hour, so I’m paying the price:

I need to get some sleep before Portland or else I’m going to suffer.

And this reminds me of a song. I’m running the half-marathon with entrepreneur, author and musician; Mr. WoW:

 

Mr. WoW was a founding member of the Waffle Boys and one of their hit songs was No Sleep Till Portland (Portland is where we’re running the half-marathon):

No sleep till,
PORTLAND!

Feet on the track
Never-ever gonna slack
Legs running faster than a cheetah on the attack.

My races ain’t a job
It’s a damn good time
City to city, it ain’t a crime.

On location
Running around the nation
WoWs always gonna be on vacation.

Itchy running legs
But a pace to race
I do what I do best
Because I’m willing and able.

Ain’t no faking
First place I’m taking
Going coast to coast, my times are breathtaking.

No sleep till,

PORTLAND!

 

I heard a rumor that the Waffle Boys may reunite to play a show in Portland after the race. I can’t wait! And if you can’t get to Portland, hear Mr. and Mrs. WoW on the BiggerPockets Money podcast.

 

This Week In Running

  • Runs: 2
  • Miles: 10
  • Longest run: 5.5

This Year In Running

  • Runs: 25
  • Miles per run: 3.66
  • Miles: 91.44  (goal is > 150)
  • Days until half marathon: 43

2018 Activity (walking included)

  • Total steps: 696,515
  • Total miles: 330.47

Weight, Heart, Beer

  • Weight: 157.6 (goal is < 150)
  • Low resting heart rate for the week: 63 (goal is < 60)
  • Beers consumed this week: 4
  • Beers consumed this year: 32
  • Beer ratio: 2.86 : 1 (2.86 miles ran per beer). Goal is > 3 : 1

Better sleep next week?

 

 

Greece: I’m speaking at the Chautauqua in October. Mrs. 1500 will be in attendance as well. I hope it’s not hot there.

In any case, we’d love to chat with you about real-estate, dinosaurs, the never-ending pursuit of happiness and beer. Learn more here.

Join the 10s who have signed up already!

Subscribing will improve your life in incredible ways*.

*Only if your life is pretty bad to begin with.

Powered by ConvertKit

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. not that you asked, but did you know you can get some cheap paper cups and put them in the freezer and you can apply that ice right on the painful area (knee). gotta be paper so you can peel them down as the ice melts. about 10 minutes at a time. that’s what we did at old dominion u. when i was running cross country there and logging big miles and getting sore joints. put a towel under the knee, duh. good luck.
    freddy smidlap recently posted…Your Retirement Assets are ProtectedMy Profile

    • “Do you know why you’re not sleeping?”

      It’s different every night. Last night, an appliance went nuts and thought it was best to start beeping at 3am. Sigh…

      Good luck on the tough mudder!

  6. I’m totally reading this after just waking up and muttering the words, “I need more sleep!”. I feel ya. I haven’t been getting enough sleep either. Guess we’ll really taking those song lyrics to heart. My only saving grace is that today is an off day from running. Phew! Time to cater to my sore muscles before hitting the pavement tomorrow. Why did we sign up for this again?

      • ack, at least you’re getting there!
        I’m on a repeat of week 6 of the Couch to 5K app… that means I’m maxing out at 22 MINUTES of continuous jogging, not 7.5 million miles of running like you two!
        so after you finish your half marathon, and breakfast, and a beer, I’ll come staggering through the 10k
        I am a slow slow slow turtle, but hey, at least I’m banking 8 hours of sleep each night
        maybe we can compete in a sleep competition instead!
        😛

  7. Your beer ratio is pretty good though. Have you added any strength training to your training plan? Even a small amount should help a lot with injury prevention. Good work and congrats on the new longest distance!

  9. Hardcore, dude! I’d love to run a marathon with you and the WoWs, but I’m way too lazy and also staying put in Europe this year. Cheering you guys on from across the interwebs! Have fun!