Today was definitely a Fall day, it was 48 F with 20+ mph winds out of the NNW – luckily I was going South, so it was at my back most of the run 
. It would have been a lot different if I would have run into the wind. I did run in shorts, long sleeve tech shirt and a tech t-shirt on top and felt comfortable once I got past the first mile.
I really didn’t know how I would do today, my legs felt a little tired before the run and I walked 2.4 miles in the morning, so I was realistically looking at around a 1:50:00 for 13.0, if I even would run that far, but I was pretty sure that I would run at least double-digits. I exceeded my expectations by a lot!
Here are the splits for today:
I was shocked when I first saw these splits, I felt that I was running pretty good, but not this good. For me to have 4 mile splits at a sub 8:00 pace on a training long run is unheard of, at least not something that I have done in a long, long time. Even going up that steep hill in Augusta by where Parmeleau’s used to be didn’t slow me down all that much.
I wore everything that I plan to wear during the half marathon and everything worked perfectly! However, I really think that the Mizuno Elixir’s are making a huge difference in how I am running now and am very happy that I was selected for the Mezamashii Project.
This run was the confidence booster that I needed and while the Runner’s World Half Marathon will be run on a fairly hilly course, I think that I can meet my goals there, but am not overly concerned if I don’t. The RW Half run is more about the experience, than the final time.
That being said, I set the bar pretty high today for future Half Marathon for me .
This the fastest I have run a long run this year!
During the run, I really focused on taking shorter strides and having a quicker cadence. According to iSmootRun my average cadence was 87 for the run (getting closer to that 90+ that I want), and for most of the run I was hitting 88, until I slowed down a little. I do have to work on learning the commands in iSmoothRun better, since I somehow had it on the wrong setting and the voice notifications were not what I wanted.
This was one of those great confidence builder runs and I had to laugh, when I was getting ready to take a shower, TheWife commented that I was starting to look too skinny – which means I am starting to look like a runner again. When I stepped on the scale it read 141, a weight I have not seen in a long, long time . She is worried that I am getting too skinny, but I have a feeling that the weight will come back on pretty quickly after Runner’s World.
6 comments
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Kat
October 12, 2012 at 9:07 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Awesome job Harold! I am so jealous you’re doing MCM I hope to do it next year as my first:) Great splits, you’ll kick butt!
Harold L. Shaw
October 12, 2012 at 9:37 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Kat – I am only doing Runner’s World Half this year, 2013 is my Marine Corps Marathon date
. Thanks now to get through the winter and keep the progress I have made 
.
Erik
October 13, 2012 at 9:48 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
AWESOME! Way to go, Speedy! That was just training…the race will make you faster
Harold L. Shaw
October 14, 2012 at 9:09 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Not speedy, but getting better I hope. Now if the race were a flat one, but running in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the reports are it will a “little” hilly
Erik
October 14, 2012 at 9:12 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
How long are you in the area for? I’m about 40 minutes or so from Bethlehem. I do have a Sat night and Sun morning race and only 1 kid sporting event (but not sure about my wife’s work schedule next weekend).
Harold L. Shaw
October 14, 2012 at 9:17 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hi Erik I will be there Wednesday afternoon the 17th and will be leaving on Monday morning the 22nd. Would love to get together and swap lies over coffee, beer or a dinner