So, one of my goals for 2018 is to get myself into the best shape that my 44 year-old carcass will tolerate. But, where do I start? My friend Laura is in super-shape, is super-smart and likes to say:
It all starts with cardio.
If cardio is what Laura recommends, I’m going with it.
Hop Hop Half in Portland!
At the same time, Mr. WoW and I decided that we needed to come up with a sequel to our weight loss challenge. We wanted to change it up a bit, so Mr. WoW came up with the idea of an organized run. I was thinking this:
10K! Yeah! It will be hard, but what the hell?!
Mr. WoW had another idea:
Half marathon! Let’s do the Hop Hop Half in Portland!
Ummmmm… OK.
But then, it got even worse. Portlandian JD Roth caught wind of our plans and is joining in the fun.
Just found out that @retirein1500 and @wafflesonwed are doing a half marathon here in Portland on March 31st. And they didn’t tell me. REALLY? You guys chicken? Bring it! I’m registering today and planning to LAY WASTE to y’all. 😉
— J.D. Roth (@jdroth) December 29, 2017
JD is a half-marathon monster, known to run them in under 1:30. He traditionally runs the Hop Hop Half in a bunny costume just to screw with fellow competitors:
I’m terrified.
Call Me Mr. Wheezy
I’m not an athlete. And by “not an athlete”, I mean that I suck. I’m not athletic in any way, shape or form. I have no cardiovascular endurance or strength. I’m also uncoordinated. Did I mention that I’ve had asthma for most of my life?
However, something funny has been happening. In the past year:
- My asthma disappeared. No more sucking on an inhaler 3x per day when the weather gets cold.
- I ran a 5k in under 30 minutes.
- My IT band syndrome has mostly disappeared.
I’m not going to kid myself though; a half-marathon is a beast. I’ve never ran more than 5 miles at once…
My Thoughts On Running
I’ll get right to the point:
I TOTALLY HATE IT!
Running is torture. Even going just a mile feels terrible and is difficult. Why am I doing this then?
- Weight: My ideal weight is in the high 140s and I’m in the mid 150s now.
- Challenge: I want to know if I can actually fun 13 miles.
- Will it get easier?: I’ll run at least 150 miles to train for this (as of this morning, I’m up to 19.44). I’m curious to see if running gets any easier if I do it long enough.
- Training for Berkshire 5k: Last year, I ran the Berkshire Hathaway 5k in a pathetic 34 minutes. Even Charlie Munger is faster than that. I must redeem myself.
- Resting heart rate: I want to see if I can get my resting heart rate into the 50s. It’s currently around 65.
Nothing great happens if you stay inside your comfort zone. Running is far, far outside my comfort zone.
Run (or Beer) With Us
If you can make it to Portland, join us for the race on 3/31! And if you’re in the area, but smart enough not to sign up for this, join us for a beer afterwards.
Date: March 31, 2018
Location: Portland (The one in Portland! Don’t make that mistake!)
Race: Hop Hop Half Marathon: http://hophophalf.com/
See you there?
Ha, I think that’s a Snuggie JD is wearing…
Running should get easier and even feel good when you get past the hump. I run quite a bit and love it, it becomes therapeutic. I also find the dopamine release makes me think brilliant (at least brilliant for me) thoughts and I come up with great ideas for work, life etc.
If I lived anywhere near there I’d join you guys, I do a few half marathons a year – good luck!
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This will be fun! It will be a bit of work, but fun.
Don’t forget that Mrs. Wow is running as well! For all the ladies out there that want to join.
Happy running!
Good luck on the race, Carl! I’ll be in Chicago freezing my ass off that weekend as usual, so I don’t think I’ll be making it out for the race.
But half marathons are a lot of fun. I did the Chicago Lakefront 1/2 last January and – despite the cold, snow, and ice – it was a good time.
If you’ve never done a half, I’d recommend you consider checking out Hal Higdon’s training programs. In particular, his novice half plan: http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51131/Half-Marathon-Novice-1-Training-Program
I used Hal’s plans for the first time in 2011 when training for a full marathon (which sucked, and I’ll never do again), but then for the various half marathons I’ve done since.
Overall, take it and slow and easy. Just like balanced dividends: slow n’ steady, gettin’ dividend heavy.
Good luck! – Mike
Mike @ Balanced Dividends recently posted…Passive Income & Portfolio – December 2017 Update
I talked to the wows about this and told them I’d consider the 10k. I’ve done one half and checked that off the list. I love to run but I’m NOT a long distance runner. So if I go I’ll keep the beers chill for y’all. 🙂
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I would join you, but I’m limiting my travel for 2018 as I adjust to the #freelance life. Plus…… I would hate to beat you in a race again! The Berkshire 5k was enough 🙂
I HATE running, my knees hate me for doing this, but one of my goals for 2018 is to lose some weight, 15 pounds to be exact.
If I ever-ever ran a marathon (or even a half-one) it would be two on the same day: the very first and the very last.
I HATE running, my knees hate me for doing this, but one of my goals for 2018 is to lose some weight, 15 pounds to be exact.
If I ever-ever ran a marathon (or even a half-one) it would be two on the same day: the very first and the very last.
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Hundreds of thousands of years of evolution have turned human beings into long distance running machines. There’s only one other animal on the planet that is better.
You were literally crafted by nature to be a runner. Anything you tell yourself otherwise is all in your head!
If this isn’t encouraging, nothing is! But where does a man in a bunny suit fit in?
Running? That is a great idea. Please keep us posted on how the Hop Hop Half goes. I have not been running since the college time. Walking fits me better (probably I’m getting old). I admire those who run the long distance. That’s amazing. Good luck!
I saw the post from the WOWs and just signed up to stagger/walk the 10k… I look forward to meeting you.
Looking forward to attempting three consecutive months of regular cardio in prep for this – good to have a goal!
Best wishes to your start of 2018!
Awesome!!!!
I’ve run two marathons and more half’s than I can count. Once you get started (and get into running shape) I think you will get addicted to it. The hardest part is to just sign up for the race. Once you’ve made the commitment you’ll get it done. I suggest you sign up for a full marathon for 6 months after the half. The half will be a breeze. I’m setting my sites on an east cost half this year to get back in shape. Two kids and lots of laziness changed my marathon fitness levels back to couch to 5K fitness levels.
A full? Ummm, I’m taking it slow. Literally. Running speed and mileage. If I can get through this, I’ll consider a full marathon…
Bwahaha. That’s a funny looking rabbit.
Also, as you will soon see, I’m not a monster of any sort…except blogging and beer-drinking. I am out of shape. I’ve run 13+ miles many times in the past — but not any time in the past five years. But I’m committed to this. I know I can make it happen. And I know that running with you guys will motivate me to get in shape.
This morning, I went for my first real run in a long time. Aimed for two miles. Managed one and a half at about a nine minute pace before I gave up and walked the last 800 meters. Ugh. But it’s a start. I have a training schedule drawn up, and I look forward to perhaps running two or three miles with you this weekend in Gainesville…
“I’ve run 13+ miles many times in the past…”
Uggh! My record is 5 and I averaged 12 minute miles. And I felt like I was going to die afterwards. I’ll probably go fast for the first 500′ or so. I’ll know you passed me when I catch the pink streak of the corner of my eye…
But yeah, let’s run/hop this weekend!
Go Carl! You are good at goal setting and then push beyond it, This may not be easy, but you sure as heck can do it (motivation enough? 😉 ).
I will suggest that you don’t wait till that time. You need to start practising now in order not to suffer burn out on the marathon day.
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Shoot me your email address and I will send you a 13 week half marathon training plan that I use when I run races instead of doing Triathlons.
Thanks! mr1500 at 1500days dot com
Good luck on your run, I used this method when I trained for marathon, http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/half-marathon-training/
Thank you!
A Garmin Forerunner 235 + heart rate monitor is a must for training motivation. Or better yet, get the 735xt and dish the 13.1 run and join the #swimbikerun club 🙂
Good luck in the race. I love running but only after I have run. Never before.
Ooooh, I love new toy! However, I bought a FitBit Blaze a short time ago, so will hold off on the Garmin for now (although it looks superior).