21 Weeks to a BQ

Don't you love it when your recovery runs get faster? I notice that happens about 8-12 weeks into a really good training cycle, for me.

Also, while a very successful HM will indicate the potential for a crushing marathon (which I think we kind of all already expect, seeing your training), remember that an off day doesn't spell disaster, at all.

Go get 'em Sunday.

Mike MacLellan wrote:Don't you love it when your recovery runs get faster? I notice that happens about 8-12 weeks into a really good training cycle, for me.

Also, while a very successful HM will indicate the potential for a crushing marathon (which I think we kind of all already expect, seeing your training), remember that an off day doesn't spell disaster, at all.

Go get 'em Sunday.

Thanks for the encouragement Mike...Confidence level is high...

09.18.12 -

6 miles...Another great night of running. I broke in my Ronin 4s tonight for my half marathon on Sunday. All I know is that Sunday is going to be a good day Not sure if it was the shoes or if I am in pretty good shape, but when I looked at my watch after the first three miles tonight, I was at an average pace of 7:09. Even though I felt like I was nowhere close to over exerting myself, I figured I better throttle it down a bit for the second half of the run. So much for that...I completed 6.27 miles at an average pace of 7:12. All I can say is that I can't wait...

The weather is expected to be in the 40s and 50s on Sunday here, so I'm guessing you have the same great temps to look forward to. Good luck!

09.19.12 -

7 miles...An easy midweek seven miles tonight. The evenings are definitely getting shorter, as it wsas starting to get dark by the time I finished my run. I finished 7.27 miles at an easy 7:24 pace. Counting down the days until Sunday

09.20.12 -

3 miles...Three easy miles tonight, as I wanted to stay loose before Sunday. I completed 3.36 miles at a 7:41 pace...I may run an easy two tomorrow. Otherwise, I will just take the day off as I prepare for the travel day on Saturday.

Good luck Nick.

Run well. Enjoy!!

Good luck this weekend! Trust your training!

JohnP wrote:Good luck Nick.

Julie wrote:Run well. Enjoy!!

Michele "1L" Keane wrote:Good luck this weekend! Trust your training!

Thanks for the well wishes...I'll do my best!!

09.21.12 -

I decided to take the day off instead of running a couple easy miles. It was cold and rainy all day and I figured that it wasn't worth it. Travel day tomorrow...

09.22.12 -

Travel day...heading up to Appleton, WI today. I'll head to the expo and pick up my race packet, then head to the hotel to check in. Race start temps for tomorrow morning at 7:00am are supposed to be 35 degrees. Cold, but should mean some fast times

09.22.12 -

Travel day con't...Made it to Appleton and got my race packet. Just chilling at the hotel getting everything ready for tomorrow morning.

Have fun! We got in late to CA so I didn't even get my packet! So bright and early tomorrow am.

I hope you have a good race!

Race like .........

09.23.12 -

Race day...Time to test out my training on a HM

I looked it up....Nick killed it with a nice smooth (overall pace steady at each 5k split) 1:24:51! That's 6:28 pace for a half marathon.

A huge PR for Nick, an absolute indicator that a BQ should be in the bag later this Fall and really pointing to sub3 capability! FANTASTIC RESULT but really right in line with the awesome training you've been doing so not a shocker at all. Looking forward to hearing the blow by blow.

Well done!

Chris M wrote:I looked it up....Nick killed it with a nice smooth (overall pace steady at each 5k split) 1:24:51! That's 6:28 pace for a half marathon.

A huge PR for Nick, an absolute indicator that a BQ should be in the bag later this Fall and really pointing to sub3 capability! FANTASTIC RESULT but really right in line with the awesome training you've been doing so not a shocker at all. Looking forward to hearing the blow by blow.

Yes Chris, I did kill it!! And honestly, I felt unbelievably good afterwards. Thanks for looking me up

Race report to follow...

Woohoo!!!!!!!!!

Great news! And I know the cold weather helps to not hurt as much afterwards.

09.23.12 -

Fox Cities Half Marathon...So, I always use the Fox Cities Half Marathon to gauge my training and fitness level. This year is a little different, as in the past my goal race is normally three weeks after this race, but this year I still have another six before I will run my goal race. The weather this year was unbelievable and reminded me a lot of Chicago 2009. Temperatures in the low 30s at start with a light cross wind to tail wind of around 8 mph. I lined up in the first row and was guaranteed a clean start, which is always key. Going into the race, my goal was to be sub 1:27:00, with a stretch goal of sub 1:26:00. I knew to be sub 1:26:00 that I was going to have to run 6:33 miles, so I started out at around that pace. I finished mile 1 at a 6:35 pace and began to settle down and fall into the race by mile two, where I ran a 6:32. Just after mile two comes the largest elevation change on the course (it is really a mole hill in comparison). When I hit the highway overpass, I shifted into another gear and the race was on. I continued to click off miles in the 6:20s, until mile 10 when I recorded my slowest mile at 6:42. I honestly don't remember what happened that mile...was it the wind??...an uphill??...not sure. But after that the last 5K was back in the lower 6:20s...When I got to the chute I could see the clock read 1:24:XX and I knew that I was going to go sub 1:25:00. I ended up crossing the finish line with a chip time of 1:24:51!! Over one minute faster than my stretch goal and around 3:30 faster than my previous HM PR (1:28:28) that I had ran there last year To top it off, I ended up finishing 19th overall out of the 2,624 finishers!! Below are my splits and HR:

You have an insanely low HR. I think my HMhr is around 170-175.

Congrats on the race, man.

Mike MacLellan wrote:You have an insanely low HR. I think my HMhr is around 170-175.

Congrats on the race, man.

My resting HR is 40-41 and my max is around 185...