3 Weeks to go.

I'm always learning new things with this 'running hobby'.   The lesson learned the past couple of weeks has been, training for a half marathon when we are having a near-record snow accumulation sucks.    I managed to get an 8 mile run in today, which was very slow, but it was great to get the miles in.    The 'plan' I spoke of a couple of weeks ago is out the window for the most part.  I'm still aiming for the mileage, but all the cross training and rest days are at the mercy of the weather.    Just doing what I can.

Also, I  think the Tri thing is out the window.  I'm a sucky runner who is working on being an OK runner,  but training for another activity I'll be sucky at as well, my running won't improve as much as I want.   Not to mention the cost of getting into triathlons (bike + wetsuit)   is not something we need to be adding to our expenses this year.       It looks like I can fill the year with more half marathons (assuming  my body holds up)  that will keep me busy.   Not to mention the seemingly endless supply of 5Ks.  

Winter in the Hamptons

So my second half marathon will be the  Winter Half Marathon at Hampton beach on Feb 20.  It was going to be May 1st at Wallis Sands in Rye, but I saw this listed on CoolRunning.com and it looked interesting.  Then I went to the website and it said registration was almost full.     That pushed me over the edge.  Not sure why.

The Half Marathon distance scares me.  You can BS your way through a 5K,  but a Half is serious mileage.   I managed to survive the Manchester half, but I did horrible.  Walking a majority of the last 3+ miles.    Realistically, I know I won't be able to run the entire thing but I think I can do a lot better.  This time I have a little more time to prepare for it.    And this time I'm going to try to follow a plan.    I'm starting at the 6 week mark because I have 6 weeks to go and my base mileage was close enough to week 6.

So tonight, Thursday the 13th (week 7), I have a 4.5 miles run.  Of course it snowed two feet yesterday so I'm going to do the run on a treadmill instead of the slippery roads.  I hate being on the treadmill for anything longer than 3 miles.  Tonight is gonna be rough.  

I'm hoping to be around 200lbs for the half marathon.  I've been really focusing on the number of calories I'm intaking, and the scale is floating around 211 lbs.    With the amount of running I have scheduled,  I should have little issue with the goal weight.  

Goals for 2011

1)  break  the 200lb mark (15 lbs to go)

2)  break the 30 minute 5K mark (I'm very very slow)

3)  complete one, maybe two sprint triathalons without drowning, or needing to be saved from drowning

4)  complete 3 half marathons (all in NH)  Wallace Sands, Apple Fest and Manchester.  

5)  break 2:30 half marathon  time (again, very slow)