jeffreypratt ([info]jeffreypratt) wrote,
@ 2008-11-30 14:53:00
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Seattle Half Marathon
Well, that was fun.  I really liked the course (especially compared to the hilly beast that was Seafair) and there were a lot of people out having a great time.  The weather was great, too--not too warm, not too cold.  I wasn't too keen about the scheduling and having to train in the gym/dark while worrying about other projects, but we toughed out the training and used Thanksgiving dinner to store a little extra fat for the run.

I also didn't really set any goals.  I've been kinda nuts in the past about goal-setting and race day rituals.  This time, I decided to just let it happen because I didn't feel particularly well-trained.  For example, I noticed that when I try to carbo-load, I don't feel well the next day, so I skipped that altogether in favor of pizza and beer for dinner last night. 

The results?  Continuous five minute improvements:
  • '07 Seafair:  2:50:54
  • '08 Seafair:  2:45:58
  • '08 Seattle:  2:40:30
I guess there is something to be said for just doing what feels right.

Here's what the Garmin has to say:  http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/7226515

I started feeling a headache coming on right around mile one, and fought it for most of the run.  I also had some random aches and pains in my knees, feet and hips from the cement that I don't normally feel because we like training on trails.  Oh, and the portable toilets along the course had huge lines...I thought about taking a potty break but I'd see 20 people in line for the Honey Bucket and I'd just keep going.  By the time I got to the end, I'd forgotten about it.

Another thing that I enjoyed this time:  I bought a hand-held water bottle at the expo and it was a lifesaver because I didn't need to stop at a single water stop.  I wonder how much time I wasted before slowing down to walk at each water stop?  I really liked being completely self-contained with water and shot blocks.

According to my trusty calorie tracker, I burned just north of 2300 calories during my run today (and it doesn't account for calories burned repairing the damage--the soreness that my doctor likes to call "a little friend who follows you around all day and reminds you that you did something healthy").  That's more food than I eat in two days sometimes, and could explain why I'm dying for nachos right now.

Next up: Vancouver in May.  I've always wanted to do the Vancouver run.  It will be interesting to see if I can beat a five minute improvement...



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