Half Marathon Training

Today (October 7, 2021) I did my last training for the Half Marathon I will run on October 10, 2021 in Clinton, NJ, 8:00 am.

It is not the destination but the road travelled…. I have kept that in mind as I trained going back to June of this year.

I actually started out training for a marathon, but while on vacation in Outer Banks the last three weeks in July I was not able to complete the long runs per the plan and when I got back inclement weather got in the way so I switched to the half marathon. I resisted as long as I could but then realized it was only logical. Last year I did the half marathon virtually so this will be my first “live” half marathon.

I have enjoyed the training period, sometimes it was hard. The longest run was 10 miles about two weeks ago.

Here in Succasunna I have run at Horseshoe Lake, two ladies I have passed most times I ran, early in the morning, they would greet me. Occasionally I would tell them how much I was running that day. Today I was running a little slower and they passed me while they were walking. There is a tall lady and a short asian woman. Today the taller one said she can’t run because her knees are bad. Also today there is a man who runs faster than me and today he ran past me and said “Good Job” or something like that.

I am now 69 years old and I know not too many people my age run, that is OK because I don’t measure age by any means. I am grateful I can even run. I was never athletic but started to run about 9 years ago. I took second or third place in my age group a few times doing 5K and a few 10K races.

I have enjoyed the training period the ups and downs… I can honestly say that at the end of each run I felt so proud of what I had done, even the hardest run I had I was so glad to have done it. I am not sure if I can explain it. It is like anything in life, you might have a big struggle and you keep pushing and you see no end in sight but when you. complete it you are happy you persevered. Think of the aftermath of running the same way…. it may be the hardest run you ever did.. but in the end you did it…..Halleluiah! Hooray! is all I can think to say.

My next post will be after the race and I will give a synopsis of that wonderful day as my wife, Megan and daughter-in-law wait for Paul and I to come in. Thank you to my son Paul and Megan for encouraging me every step of this training journey. Also to all my family who have encouraged me – Thank you!!!!

I hope to encourage you to keep moving any way you can. Each of you have greatness buried within you, reach down and pull it out – you will be amazed as I am amazed of the things you can go the places you can go!!

Until next time be well!!!!