There was a race in town last weekend - The Half-Madness (a half marathon around town). I ran it last year as a 'prep race' (not necessarily to make a good time, but to gauge my preparation for the full marathon I would run in about 6 weeks). I didn't find out the race was being run until they day before, but decided to run anyway as I need to figure out how my training is going. Races are a very good way to do this. The timing this year is a little better as I'm about 10 weeks out from my marathon, so what the heck, it's ONLY 13.1 miles :-)
I ran slow at the start (first 4 miles), picked it up in the middle miles, and pushed hard the last two. Mile 4 is right in front of my house. My wife is smiling at the end of the driveway - my own personal cheerleader! I was able to run the mid miles with a woman who was training for the Milwaukee marathon. As we run along the river, we trade stories (yes, we do talk and run at the same time). She had actually put in 3 miles before the start, and would be adding 4 more at the end (yes, that adds up to 20 miles). Her training pace was my race pace - yet more evidence that I am the 'slow man on the totem pole.' :-)
About mile 12 you can here the crowd noise at the end of the race. The finishers are already enjoying the free cold malt beverage all finishers are 'awarded.' That's right - free beer at the finish! All you have to do is run 13.1 miles to get it. In response to the noise, I picked up my pace. I ran by a man and woman - she was clearly struggling to get to the finish. In an attempt at humor and encouragement, I call out "I can smell beer from here!" They chuckle and the guy responds "That's just my aftershave." I almost fall over laughing.
I can hear the announcer now congratulating the finishers. I make it a point of pride not to get passed in the last 100 yards or so, and usually end up 'sprinting' across the finish. I end up crossing alone and hear 'Here comes Ben, the hometown boy!' There were 1000 other 'hometown boys' that day, but damn if it isn't nice to hear it over a PA!
I ran better than I expected - 9:25/mile for a 2:03 (and change) finish. On pace for the marathon finish I hope for at the beginning of November. Guess my training is working.
This weeks long run - 18 miles. My legs hurt already...
About Me
- Ben runs
- I started training to run marathons in 2008. Why? Long story, but suffice to say a friend suggested it and I was intrigued. Since then, I've logged about 3000 miles in training. Among those that train for long distances, I am considered 'slow' (I run between 10 and 11 minutes per mile). I run at the back of the pack, hence 'slow man on the totem pole.' As you might imagine, my definition of what a long run is has changed over the years (10 miles is a good run, but not necessarily long). I have a lot of time to think about a lot of different things while logging my daily miles. I hope to share some of what I ponder here. An eclectic mix of what runs through my head as I run along the road to no place in particular.
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