This Is It

Today will be my final post until after my race on Sunday, May 1.  I'm heading home to Chicago to prepare mentally, emotionally, and physically for it.

I did a light 6 mile run, seeing the chiropractor later for an adjustment, and going in for an ice bath to relax my muscles a bit in the evening.  Then tomorrow I'm taking the day off and Saturday a light 4-5 mile shakeout before Sunday.

If you have any more questions about running, training tips, nutrition, or advice please post a comment on my blog, I would love to hear from you.

Now get out there and hit the pavement, I hear it calling YOUR name.  Trust me, once you get out there, you will be out there until the end of eternity.

 Lamb-Kohawk Invite Champions, Cedar Rapids, IA Fall 2007.  My first running award as a collegiate athlete (My first year at Coe College).  Have fun with running, if you do you can't and won't fail.   

Countdown to Running a Half-Marathon

Below are two great videos for those getting ready to run a half-marathon by running enthusiast John Stanton:

Runner's World

If you haven't noticed throughout many of my posts which include links, many come from http://www.runnersworld.com/. 

I encourage all runner's from beginners to experts to regularly refer to this website for tips regarding training, workouts, nutrition, and basic running knowledge.

The majority of what I know about running came from this website along with of course coaches and other runners throughout my many years of running. 

Check out this link from Runner's World below, it has all sorts of tips, what the perfect running week consists of, the final push to prepare for a race, what "fit" actually means, along with other topics, too.  There's even a training calculator which calculates your time for a mile, 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon based on what you plug in for any distance listed above.                     

The Ultimate Running Tips Page

One Week Until Glory

One week from today all my training, all the miles I put in, and all the preparation will boil down to 13.1 miles of pure guts, insanity, and fun.  By this time I'll be done with my half, hopefully in a time under 75 minutes which is just sub 5:45 pace, and sitting on a couch watching tv or in a hot tub letting my body recover.

These next 6 days are very crucial and can make or break me to some extent.  I have to make sure I get the proper nutrients in me and hydrate until I feel like a fish.  I'm caring a water bottle with me at all times and constantly filling it up whenever I get a chance.

As for my training I completed my last long run of 10 miles today, didn't feel the best though, but I rather not feel good today than next Sunday.  I'll have a light tempo or long interval workout of some sort tomorrow and that will be my last speed workout until the half.  Then the rest of the week I'll put in easy miles and take Friday off, run 5 or 6 Saturday morning and then race day.

I'm beginning to feel a bit anxious, excited, and nervous for the half since I never ran a half marathon in competition.  Sure I have ran as long as 13 miles and then some, but never raced one.  The best advice I can give anyone, including myself, is relax and treat this race as a regular long run, just with more people and at a faster pace.  If I can get that through my head I can't and won't fail.

"If You Can Imagine It, You Can Achieve It.  If You Can Dream It, You Can Become It."- William Arthur Ward

Marathon Guide

With about a week left until my half marathon I began searching on-line for running related articles, news, more tips, and insight from other runners.  I came across this great website with their focus entirely on marathons.  After reading through it and clicking around I highly recommend you take a look at it.  I picked up a couple of good tips which I'm going to implement into my last week of training and tapering before my race.

Here's the link to their homepage:   www.marathonguide.com

Racing Flats

Having a good pair of racing flats is just as important as having a good pair of trainers, especially for longer races such as half and full marathons. 

I included a link which explains how to select a good pair of racing flats along with a picture of a pair which would be used for half and full marathons.  Racing Flats

New Balance Men’s RC152 Racing Flat

2011 Boston Marathon

Yesterday was the Boston Marathon and history was made by Kenya's Mutai.  He ran a time of 2 hours, 3 minutes and 2 seconds (2:03.02) which would have been a new world record but due to a strong tailwind and a downward course Mutai's run will not qualify him for the fastest time ever.  Even so this is impressive and monumental for the sport.

Below is a picture of Mutai crossing the finishing line and Ryan Hall, first American runner to finish, who finished 4th overall.