How I Run, Vol. 1

I started training for a half-marathon in June. My 4th.

01. May, 2005: Vancouver, BC - 2:21
I was so sick but also was so mentally invested in this race that I had to finish it, even if it meant crawling across the finish line.

01.5. May, 2006: Vancouver, BC - DNR
It was a repeat of the year before - so sick, although this time I was less mentally invested and it was pouring the morning of. The morning of the race, I spent under the covers, listening to the rain outside.

02. July, 2007: Bellevue, WA - 2:16
My race partner and I were not on the same page when it came to our pace (despite discussing our goal on the drive to the race!). I stuck with her for the first 9 miles but took off for the last 4, although too little too late.

03. October, 2007: Bellingham, WA – 2:09
My goal was to finish under 2:11 and drink a beer at the finish (my fave brewery was a race sponser). I guess one out of two ain’t bad!

I think half-marathons are the perfect race to train for. Long enough that one has to train (or at least I do), but not long enough to make the training unbearable. Except that I always slack off on my training. Sometimes I'll get all those long runs in - a little bit farther each week - and totally slack off during the week. Other times I'll run 3 to 4 miles several times a week, but do just 3 longs runs - 6, 8, and 10 miles - convincing myself that I can tough it out during the actual race.

This year I have an aggressive goal. This year I am going to really train.

04. June, 2008: Port Angeles, WA - (goal) under 2:00