The Official Thread for Runners

[beefytee]

I’m home from my half.

I met my first goal of finishing.

I did not meet my second goal. A tiny bit of pee escaped when I laid down in agony at the end.

I did not make it under 2 hours. I started losing it around mile 7. My fears were realized that my Garmin didn’t give me enough long runs later in the training. I really got winded as I went along the second half. I did end up walking for a mile or so around mile 12.

Three was also the issue of the steep downhill at the start. I tried to move with the least resistance without going too fast and wearing myself out. I wore myself out.

Physically it was an awful experience.

But it’s done and I think looking back I’ll be happy I did it. Currently, I’m in too much pain now for that.

At the end of the race, I told my son who was there supporting us that there is no way in hell I’d ever do that again. The lady next to me with the 18 month old scowled at me. Oops.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Congratulations, beefy, although I'd guess you're a little less beefy than you were at the outset of your quest. Your finish will be a point of pride for a lifetime.

[beefytee]

Congratulations, beefy, although I'd guess you're a little less beefy than you were at the outset of your quest. Your finish will be a point of pride for a lifetime.

Ha! I just had that conversation with my wife. She says “what did you lose, 20 lbs?” I said “naw there’s no way I lost 20 lbs”. I jump on the scale and yeah, I’ve lost about 20 lbs.

I was pretty scrawny already. I’m looking forward to do some more strength training that I’ve put on hold for this and getting my weight up a little again.

[Joe Public]

Way to go, beefytee!

I remember talking to an experienced old-timer at the starting line of my first marathon. During the conversation, he said something to the effect of “you won’t run your second until you’ve forgotten your first.”

[BigPiney]

Awesome. Way to go.

[beefytee]

Thanks again to everyone here who gave me advice. It was very helpful and is much appreciated.

Just a few more thoughts now that I've recovered a little and I can think a little more clearly.

My shoes were awesome. I never had foot or blister issues. So, I highly recommend the Saucony's, but I'm sure other brands would likely have been just as effective.

I did this race because my daughter asked me too. Right after the race, we were both determined that we would never do this again. I trained pretty religiously because I was concerned about how things would turn out on race day. So, I'm glad I trained as much as I did, given how old I am and how difficult it was. My daughter didn't train very hard. She completed the race but did have a slower time.

By yesterday, one day after the race, she has already arranged to run another half with a mission companion down in St. George. She told me she isn't disappointed that I won't run a half with her again, stating I was the only person who agreed to run with her for this one (aka last choice), and that I complained a lot.

I am willing to do 5K and 10K races, but I'm still pretty determined (2 days removed) not to do a half or greater going forward.

We ordered her a Garmin watch yesterday, and she plans on training hard for this next race.

[Bo Diddley]

She told me she isn't disappointed that I won't run a half with her again, stating I was the only person who agreed to run with her for this one (aka last choice), and that I complained a lot.

[Pelado]

Thanks again to everyone here who gave me advice. It was very helpful and is much appreciated.

Just a few more thoughts now that I've recovered a little and I can think a little more clearly.

My shoes were awesome. I never had foot or blister issues. So, I highly recommend the Saucony's, but I'm sure other brands would likely have been just as effective.

I did this race because my daughter asked me too. Right after the race, we were both determined that we would never do this again. I trained pretty religiously because I was concerned about how things would turn out on race day. So, I'm glad I trained as much as I did, given how old I am and how difficult it was. My daughter didn't train very hard. She completed the race but did have a slower time.

By yesterday, one day after the race, she has already arranged to run another half with a mission companion down in St. George. She told me she isn't disappointed that I won't run a half with her again, stating I was the only person who agreed to run with her for this one (aka last choice), and that I complained a lot.

I am willing to do 5K and 10K races, but I'm still pretty determined (2 days removed) not to do a half or greater going forward.

We ordered her a Garmin watch yesterday, and she plans on training hard for this next race.

Sounds like your complaining was effective.

[SteelBlue]

By yesterday, one day after the race, she has already arranged to run another half with a mission companion down in St. George. She told me she isn't disappointed that I won't run a half with her again, stating I was the only person who agreed to run with her for this one (aka last choice), and that I complained a lot.

Complained a lot AND beat her time. Doesn't get better than that.

[bluegoose]

St George Half Marathon this weekend. I want to see how far into my 50s I can still finish sub 2 hours. Official time of 1:57:42. Last year's time was 1:57:34, so I was pretty happy with that. Ran the first 3 miles with my wife, who worked herself into pretty good shape this year. Finished a couple of minutes behind me at 2:00:12. All of our other family members and friends (minus one really fast friend) finished within 8 minutes of each other, so it was fun for all of us to see each other in the finishers gate.

[Joe Public]

St George Half Marathon this weekend. I want to see how far into my 50s I can still finish sub 2 hours. Official time of 1:57:42. Last year's time was 1:57:34, so I was pretty happy with that. Ran the first 3 miles with my wife, who worked herself into pretty good shape this year. Finished a couple of minutes behind me at 2:00:12. All of our other family members and friends (minus one really fast friend) finished within 8 minutes of each other, so it was fun for all of us to see each other in the finishers gate.

Nice!

[Moliere]

Nice job goosey!

[BigPiney]

Well done. I should do a half. Full ones are too hard.

[bluegoose]

Well done. I should do a half. Full ones are too hard.

This is only my second half, but I've really enjoyed the distance. Training cycle doesn't totally beat you up and consume all of your time.

[BigPiney]

This is only my second half, but I've really enjoyed the distance. Training cycle doesn't totally beat you up and consume all of your time.

I don't know if I mentioned, but I took over coaching the cross country team here this fall. Essentially the first day of practice the coach announced she got another job and couldn't do it. I was standing next to the athletic director who looked at me and asked if I would do it. I'm too busy to do it, but I wanted the kids to at least have a season, so here we are.

It is a good excuse to go running with them. Yesterday we did hill sprints. There were 250 m and I did 8. I don't think I have worked that hard running in a long long time.