Half Marathon!

I will be running a half marathon on October 10, 2021.

This will be my second half marathon – last year it was a virtual run but this year it will be in person (so far). It will be in Clinton, NJ which is about 45 minutes southwest of us.

Our son Paul will be running with me, which is a true highlight for both of us.

Since around August 15, 2021 I decided to switch from training for a full marathon to a half marathon. I pulled up the Hal Higdon training plan I used last year and tracked the time back from October 10 to that time and I switched my training to that plan.

August 15 I have been following that plan which consists of runs on Tuesday and Thursday of each week with a long run on Sunday. If necessary you can do the long run on Saturday if scheduling or weather prevents the Sunday run,

Last week I ran 2 miles on Tuesday and 6 miles on Tuesday and Thursday. This week I started out today with 4 miles and then it is 6 miles on Tuesday and Thursday again..

Next week the long run in 8 miles and the week after that the long run in 10 miles.

I already ran 10 miles when I was training for the marathon so I know I can do it.

The combination of temperature and humidity has made it harder to run, especially the long runs. I try to do the bulk of the long run or any run over 4 miles mostly in the shaded path that shoots off of Righter Road. That helps quite a bit.

I have told this story several times but I started running around my 62nd birthday which was a little over 7 years ago. I did my first 5K in July of that year and took second place in my age category. That was my first race and I took second place in my age category. I had already fallen in love of running but this cemented it. I overdid it and injured myself and after advice from a doctor I moderated and did not run every day.

We did the 5K run in Winter Haven, Florida a few years in December when we were visiting over Christmas. In 2019 I did the 10K – they offered 5K and 10K at that event so I decided to try my hand at the 10K… and I did very well. Then last year I did my first half marathon even though it had to be virtual.

Our son Paul has been supported all of my running and I very much appreciate that. It is wonderful when I get a chance to run with him and I know he feels the same way.

As I have closed many of these posts I would like to say that if you put your mind and energy to something you can and will accomplish it. It is not always easy and does not lead to a slam dunk so to speak. I am amazed that I can even run 3, 4, 5 or 10 miles or even a half marathon.

I encourage you to get out and walk a mile or two… you will feel so good and you never know where that will go… I started out 9 years ago just walking and here I am today running.

Be well and stay safe and move at your own pace!!!