half way there. (don't overtrain.)

i ran 13.2 miles on saturday, which is a mile farther than the training schedule called for. it's also half of the race distance. the important part, though, is that it went great. i had no problems finishing. in fact, when i took water and energy at 7 miles, i was at a pace where i felt like i could run forever.

this was the first time i used energy in a long run, and i think it made all the difference. i ate 5 margarita flavored clif shot blocks at 7 miles, approximately 70 minutes into the run. i also drank 500mL of water, the only water i drank during the run. i had no troubles finishing the last 6 miles, though i believe i could have taken energy earlier -- about 5 or 6 miles -- and maybe twice during the run. my upcoming 15 mile run will give me a better idea of how much and how often i need to take energy. i'm still divided whether i want to use chews like the shot block or if i want to use gel. i've tried both, and i can't say that one is better, though the apple pie flavored gel did taste better.

considering how concerned i was for how the run could go, i couldn't be happier with the results.

i think the biggest reason is that i slowed down. instead of trying to hit a pulse rate between 160 and 165, i stayed slow around 150 to 155. this equated to a 10-minute mile pace rather than a 9-minute mile pace. i'll say it again. at 7 miles, i felt like i could run forever at that pace. perhaps i have been overtraining, or at least pushing too hard. i'll save the speed for the short runs when i feel like it, but i'll be taking it easy for the long runs from now on.

i want to finish the marathon, and i know i won't win it. what's the rush?

robb.