13.1, or How I Spent My Sunday
 

Yup, I participated in my first Half Marathon this past Sunday. Went very well. At about mile 9 I felt a blister let go on my right foot. This coincided with my hips deciding it was a good time to get very stiff. I pulled over and checked foot just to see if it was bleeding. No blood so I stretched and hit the course. My goal was a modest 2.5 hrs. My time was 2:37. I'm pleased. I plan on continuing my training and running more this year.

The female/male ratio was about 2:1 or more. More hot chics than you could shake a stick at! Found a group running with a 2:22 sign for pace. Ran with them for probably 6 miles.

Oh, I don't have a real "run playlist" on my iPod. Just set it for for shuffle and I'm off. Right after I crossed the starting line I turned it on. First random song? Pink Floyd, Run Like Hell. "Too cool" I thought to myself. Then as I made the turn for home and last 3/4 mile or so, the song "In The Flesh" came on. Not really a "run" song, IMO, but a nice finish to a great run.

Hope to be in San Fran for the Bay to Breakers in May. A bunch of us went last year. Good times.

Congrats Don! I am planning on doing my first half marathon in June. How long did you train for the event?

Michael

Congratulations Don! what shoes do you have?

chics?

pics?

13.1, I thought you went drag racing.:p

Congrats Don!!! That time is great and just finishing is something special.

I did my first 1/2M back in November and now I am hooked. Have one lined up for March, May & November of this year. Never really ran before last July but needed a goal and the 1/2 was it.

Nice run... when are you doing a full? I've walked 3 fulls and a number of halfs including SanFran but I do not believe I would ever be able to run a 5k. Very good on you...

I've ran on and off for years. Got back into it seriously about 2.5 yrs ago. I run ~3 times a week for 4-5 miles and then run every other Saturday for 6-7 miles. And to be honest, I did not have a real training routine for this Half Marathon. I did 2 'training runs' for this (in addition to my normal running). One was about 9 miles but with a fair amount of elevation change. And another one for 7 miles that was a friggin killer on desert trails. That, and I like to hike once a month or so. Btw, it's better to 'over rest' than to 'over train' during the last week leading up to your event. I plan on adding at least one more day per week and hope to keep that routine. You'll do fine! I look forward to hearing about it. And if music helps you run, get an iPod or something. I also ran with 2 goo packs. One for mile 6 and one for mile 10. And go for the gatorade not water on course. It's just a little cup and you need the extra calories. And I suggest slamming a frosty cold Pabst Blue Ribbon at the end. You've earned it!

I run in Asics GEL Nimbus 11. I really like this shoe. Years ago I found Ascics and they fit my foot very well. Also like Adidas. Nike is too narrow but their selection is improving. I recently visited RoadRunner Sports and went through their "foot/run eval to determine correct shoe" and didn't say anything about my shoe preference. Dude came out with the same Asics shoe I was replacing. I have a neutral foot strike and very stable ankles. A correctly fitted, decent pair of shoes is a must! And never wear them for anything but running! Nothing else. One last thing. Avoid treadmills. Run outside if possible or an inside track if you have poor weather. Your hammys will thank you.