Monday, September 17, 2012

A Month and a Day

The Detroit International Half-Marathon (called "international" because the course loops into Canada) is in one month and one day. I can hardly believe it. I'm going to race again, and soon.

Usually when I train for a half-marathon I like to have at least one 15-miler under my belt. I'm not sure that's going to happen this time. As of right now, I haven't run more than 8 miles at once.

This makes me nervous enough that I asked Darren if he thought it was really a good idea for me to do this race. After all, the California International Marathon six weeks later is my real goal race. I don't want to do anything to distract from that fact, and if staying home and just going for a longer run the weekend of the half would serve me better, I wanted him to know I was willing to forgo the race. Darren, however, thinks doing the half is a good idea. He said it will be a good gauge of my fitness for CIM.

This is exciting to me because not only does he think I'll be ready for it (at least on some level), his answer implies he will want me to actually race it, and not just treat it like a training run. As we get closer, I know he'll share details of what he thinks my pace and race strategy should be. Until then, I just have to keep my faith in him (the man knows whereof he speaks!)...and of course execute the workouts he gives me.

These workouts are getting harder!

Two weeks ago I had my first "all-running, no-recumbent bike" week, and there's been no looking back. My training now features six days in a row of running, with a day totally off on Sunday. Tomorrow I have a real gut-buster of a combo hill-and-fartlek workout. Wednesday I have a mid-week semi-long run. And on Saturday I have a 90-minute progression run that I'm hoping will be my first 9-miler in a long time. All the workouts have precise instructions on heart rate ranges. So far I'm finding this heart-based training much easier to stick with than pace-based training has been for me in the past. And I try not to despair seeing how S-L-O-W I must go to keep my heart rate down for the easy runs.

I may not be doing any 15-milers, but I'm truly enjoying this training and feeling good. I just hope it's "half-marathon-in-a-month" good!

19 comments:

  1. You are going to be fine. You know that even if you run only 10 miles before the race, which is what I did for my first half, you will be fine for 13. And I agree with Darren; I think it's a good idea to do the half. You would be at home doing a 13 mile training run anyway; you may as well go out and enjoy a race instead! I feel that racing motivates me; maybe you need that right now!!! I say go for it, have fun and don't worry about the results!

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  2. This is so wonderful to hear! I'm excited to hear about the training for the next few weeks and how the HM goes. I hope you keep posting about the heart rate training, too, bc eventually I might finally move from "hmmm...I should look into that..." to actually following through. :)

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  3. wait! 6 days of running in a row! He NEVER let me run that much. It was usually 4 or 5 days a week. I guess it speaks to how strong you are running right now. Glad you are feeling good - I'm excited and optimistic about your upcoming races!

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  4. I agree t hat it's the perfect time to race a half. I am excited for you!! The new and improved Terzah :) And I can't wait to see you!!

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  5. You'll be good for the half, even if you had to run it right now. Just don't stress over the time. Relax, enjoy, and I bet you will do far better than going in thinking you need to PR or something. All is good! :)

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  6. I am just blown away...and more than slightly envious...that you are successfully running so much at this point. Way. To. Go. Keep up the awesome work :)

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  7. You are in great running shape and I can see great things happening for you! I know you must be very excited to see this training paying off. It is smart to keep your eye on CIM. I know big things are coming for you!! I am very happy for you!

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  8. I have no interest in running a marathon. Ever. But if I did, Detroit would be a fun one since it is international. I didn't realize the half went in to Canada too, so now it's tempting. I wish I had time to drive up there and meet you, but my tiny human would be furious.

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  9. LOL, now you have to race!

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  10. So nice that you have a coach to bounce all this off of! I'm impressed with your six days of running. I'm sticking with 3-4 for this training cycle, but am slowly adding speed and distance, which feels good. So excited for you to race again!

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  11. You know, running the half probably will be good mentally -- to show you've still got it! At least that is how it worked for me last Sunday!

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  12. So Exciting!! Sounds like you are right back in the thick of it!

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  13. Wow! I can't even fathom 6 days in a row of running. But you know I'm totally unorthodox in my low, pansy mileage so don't listen to me. I've certainly never run 15 in prep for a half--haha!
    Girl, you're going to spank both of your races. I know it. Can't wait to see you!

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  14. I just finished making our dinner plans for our Detroit weekend...can't wait. Hope your training is still rocking!

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  15. i'm a geography nerd so i think it's cool that the Detroit HM loops through canada! i'm so glad training is going well and that you have faith in your plan and coach -- it's so important!

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  16. Hope it goes great!! How exciting that you've got a 1/2 coming up soon. And a marathon yet this year too!!

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  17. You're really into those "international" marathons. You neglected to explain why the California Marathon is international. Does it go into Mexico?

    All joking aside, I understand your joy for getting back into the marathon(half) game. Next month I'll being running my first marathon in almost a year. Are you back to listening to your breakup list song list?

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  18. I am SO excited for you! So excited! Welcome back to running! :)

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  19. Glad you can run and you are going to race in a half before the main event of the CIM.
    6 days in a row, you are already in perfect shape. I am very happy for you.

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