How was my weekend? It deserves its own post.

Dec 2, 2019, 8:43 AM

Thanksgiving: Ran a 5k. Official time of 23:51.06. Although I timed it at 23:28, my GPS and I felt like their distance was a bit long. Both are personal records although it's my first official 5k. After running I cooked an entire Thanksgiving feast and had it on the table by 2:20 (did some prep the day before).

Friday: Ran a 4 mile shakeout run with APM. Was awesome and was good mojo for Saturday.

Saturday: Palmetto Peach Half Marathon in North Augusta/Augusta. The main event. My original goal was to run a 5k, but the goal moved a few months ago. (I ran a 10k earlier in the month, 52:16.98) The race started and ended at the minor league stadium in North Augusta, the wife and I stayed at the hotel the night before. North Augusta is not flat and it's not the best course to run your first half marathon on. 5+ miles of the first 7+ miles are uphill including two steep inclines (and another incline just before the 12 mile mark). In training I was convinced that I could run a half marathon in under 2 hours (under 9:09 minute miles), but knew that would not be possible on this course. While I'd practiced running up the Greeneway, I knew that I could not run the inclines and still have legs to finish. But I was averaging 8:30 minute miles when I reached the first incline (mile 5), and after walking up the quarter mile I was able to make up some of that time on the downhill. After walking a half mile up the 2nd incline I was still on pace to finish under 2 hours. By the time I got into Augusta on mile 9 I was ahead on my pace and felt like I could finish under 2 hours, even if I walked the last hill. Ended up back at the stadium where we ran in through the outfield, ran the perimeter of the stadium, and finished at home plate. I saw 1:58.01 on the clock as I crossed the line. I was handed a medal and within a few minutes received a test message with my official time: 1:57.46! I really had to gut out the last 3+ miles on rubber legs, but it was an absolutely amazing feeling. It was difficult and required months of training, but that was what made it so awesome. Just not sure that I want to do that distance again. We'll see.

My 2019 didn't start well, but I crushed it anyhow. What started with a heart attack and a goal to run 5k by the end of the year was exceeded in the end by 10 miles. I'm still having a hard time processing it and believing that I actually did it. No idea what is next on this journey.

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How was my weekend? It deserves its own post.

nice work!!!

Only a half???

I shouldn't say never, but I don't foresee running further.

You left off the most important part

Later in the afternoon.

Smart. Don't want to detract from the "Salt Life" spare tire

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