sub-3 or blow-up trying

The plan was to run a marathon.  I was lacking a bit of confidence going in- mostly due to low mileage training.  Last year I ran Philly w/320 miles of running in October and a 1/2 marathon pr 2 weeks preceeding the race.  This year I ran 205 miles in October and pr'd once again at the same 1/2 marathon preceding the race...Anyway, started off feeling great.  Ran the first 10k in 41:46 (pretty close to my same time last year) and then on the second hill around mile 9 or 10 my legs started to stiffen.  I switched to a 7min pace, hoping I could find a new groove and still pr in the marathon (needed sub 3:07).  Fortunately, I was able to maintain 7min/pace alright, but unfortunately I was beginning to feel a bit like I normally feel around mile 18 or 20.  Saw the 12 mile marker pointing half-marathoners to the right and decided to cruise into to a half-marathon finish so and save myself a month's worth of recovery time beforing training for the Boston Marathon. 

I'm not one to like to quit, so it was a difficult decision.  At the same time, I knew deep in my heart I had not put in the proper mileage to really race the marathon distance.  My finish time for the half was 1:30:24 (my chip time for the half last year was 1:29:12).  I think I made the right decision and now look forward to running with my wife on this Thursday's 10k Turkey Trot. 

Briefly met Jake and Andrea who are on our blog.  They both "went for it" and although they fell short of their posted goals, they both did awesome! 

Also, prayers go out to the families of two runners who died in the race today.  I don't know any details, but it was just reported on CNN news a few minutes ago. 

10 miles slowly...felt ok, but don't like my asics trainers that much- too much friction in the sole of the shoe. 

A friend of mine wanted me to run with his 11-year-old son to pace him for this Thursday's Turkey Trot 10k.  It's a very challenging course w/steep hills.  I ran a 5-mile warm-up before he arrived and then ran the 10k w/him in 52:25 (8:27 pace).  Pretty awesome for an 11-year-old.  My pr on that course is over 3-minutes slower than other 10k courses.  Ended up with 11.2 miles for today. 

4 easy miles at the gym + 40 minutes w/weights.  I want a solid month of weight training to renew core and overall strength going into the new year.  Think it may help prevent nagging injuries. 

My wife and I entered the Goshen Turkey Trot- it was mid-30's, sunshine, and windy.  The course is very challenging- 1/2 is made up of trails and contains 5-6 steep hills, including a steady incline from part-way through mile four all the way through mile 5.  My previous pr for this course is 43:05, so my goal going in was to break 42 minutes.  500-600 runners lined up at the start and we were off with the gun...

Mile 1- 6:12 (Lots of downhill on this, so I disciplined myself to hold back)

Mile 2- 6:06 (Rolling hills, yet surprised by this time, since the last 1/2 mile was uphill)

Mile 3- 6:31 (Rolling hills, yet very pleased- passed alot of runners on this stretch)

Mile 4- 7:01 (Flat for first half and then steady incline up a trail- conserved for the next mile which is the toughest)

Mile 5- 7:07 (This was the most challenging- ran it last time in 7:42)

Mile 6- 6:46 (Very pleased- steady downhill for 1/2 mile and then steep uphill for 2nd half mile- mile legs were doing just fine)

Last .2- 1:13/6:06 pace (Finished the hill and then kicked it in for the finish- more of a 5:40 pace once things levelled out).

Overall, I exceeded expectations and finished in front of a few local guys who usually beat me.  Very happy with the effort and time and was able to take home a ribbon and a homemade apple pie.  My wife finished in just over an hour and capped off a very emotional week.  She ran the course on Monday with a handfull of friends and stumbled upon a man in his late 40's who had committed suicide.  His daughter is in one of my daughter's classes at school.  My wife stopped with her friends at that point in the course to place flowers around a cross they had made. 

Thanks to those who read the report and may you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Ran 4-mile progressive run w/my daugher today- 9:16,9:01,8:16,8:06.  She's getting ready for a 5k next weekend and looking good.  I felt fine, but want to make sure not to over do it.  Feel as though I could easily do a 70-mile week, but will be careful to ease back into it.  With a 10-miler tomorrow, this will be my first 60-mile week since September.  Hope to get back to 70 within 2 weeks and keep it there through March for Boston.  We'll see. 

9 miles nice and easy.