Quote of the day
“I don’t think you can become an outstanding runner unless you get a certain amount of enjoyment out of the suffering. You have to enjoy absorbing it, controlling it and—ultimately—overcoming it.” Derek Clayton in The Masters of the Marathon

So I am a bit confused about this whole recovery process after a half marathon, especially your first. I don’t want to push too hard, and get injured so I am playing safe. I did a bit of research and it seems you need to give your body a good 2 to 3 weeks to recovery and then slowly start to build again..reverse taper :-). The problem for me is that I need to be ready for my goal race in 3 weeks time, cant be in go slow mode now. I probably should not have ran the 21km on Sunday, but in true me style, I could not wait :-). But I am glad I did, I know I held back quite a bit so I know I can do a much better time (probably not in a Two Oceans with a Southern Cross and Constantia Nek, but another Half) so something to look forward to…

Went to the gym yesterday and could only manage to walk, try to run but could feel my calves got a bit hurt. There seems to be a few blue patches on my legs so I probably have a few brushed muscles. They are not painful or anything, just a bit sore when you touch them, so Deep Heat has become my best friend :-).

Did some stretching and started with strength training. I seem to be OK, just cant run at this stage. I am starting to get a bit concerned, cos I don’t really know when I should start to pick up the pace or distance. Will see how I feel tomorrow and prehaps go for a 5km walk or something.

What an experience! The route was tough. Pure hills the first 10km and from there on it was downhill for next 5km and flats for the last 6km.

Half Marathon CONQUERED!

It was raining in the morning when I left the house at 5am and heard little whispers saying not to do the race. I was not going to run in the rain and risk getting a cold so close to Two Oceans. But then I needed to do get a long run in so there was no turning back.

I got completely lost on my way to the venue, kind off remembered which areas and which highways, spotted the police patrolling and knew I was close by so I just asked them for directions. They were so helpful, even told me I was late :-). Thanks to them I found the venue easily and had enough time to register and get myself mentally prepared for the race.

The rain had stop and the weather was overcast, cool, perfect! The route was scenic – I really enjoyed running through/along the nature reserve and Swartkoppies. The climb up those hills were all worth-it!

Despite the initial hills I ran the race extremely well. Really struggled the first 10km but somehow managed to have recovered well. At the 15km I was at 1:47. Two minutes off my previous 15km! My strategy for the race was simple. Keep to a slower pace. Needed to remind myself that this is a long training run to get the kilometers on the leg.

At 19km the clock said 2:15. I did the math and realised I was not going to make 2:30 – not the way I was feeling, so I just did my best for the last 2km, was tempted to just walk it, but the decided not to, let’s try and see – though my mental mantra did not work so well at that stage 🙂

With 1km to go I was left with 6:30mins. That last 1km was tough! It was at an ever so slightly deceptive little slope, which made it very difficult to run. Wanted to run it all out, but could barely keep it up for 1min…so I finished in 2:32mins! So bloody close :-).

I am extremely happy with my performance and my training progress so far. I knew I was ready to do the HALF it was just a matter of doing!

So, now for the recovery 😦 I hope it won’t be difficult. I can feel I few aches, but hope I will be able to work through them with easy runs and walks this coming weeks.

I really enjoy my running….it has never disappointed. It has always left me with a great sense of achievement. This something I am valuing and hope to continue doing for a very long time.

So here to my 1st, but most definitely not last HALF MARATHON 🙂

Quote of the day
“It is very rewarding to feel and see progress. I am going to put my head down and keep plugging away. I believe the best is yet to come.” Shalane Flanagan, 2nd woman finisher at the 2010 New York City Marathon

I somehow got it in my head that I am ready to run a HALF marathon :-).

I have to admit up until this morning I was a bit worried. I was feeling tired and my body was screaming take it slow, which I did. I only ran 7km for the whole which is good, cos it means my legs are rested. This morning I took it quite easy, only ran for the last 1km and took it very easy. I can feel a spasm threatening in my right carve. It’s been there since I ran the Deloitte 10km and every day I run I think it is going to happen today. I am a bit worried, probably need to go for a massage. Will really have take it easy on Sunday.

My strategy for the race is going to be simple…take it easy for the first 15km. I know I can do 15km comfortably :-)..YES, I CAN 🙂 :-)!!!! So only need to focus on the next 3km to 18km. That is my goal for Sunday, to comfortably do a 18km :-((…YES, I CAN 🙂 :-)…the rest…finishing the 21km is a done deal! :-)…even if it take me 3hrs!

Duration: 40 mins
Distance: 4km
Calories: 450cal
Avg HR: 147
Max HR: 185

Quote for the day
“The challenge in running is not to aim at doing the things no one else has done, but to keep doing things anyone could do—but most never will”. Joe Henderson in The Complete Book of Running