New Half-Marathon PR

I did it, I did it, I did it. After this long month of 50 minute runs every single day, I ran my half-marathon today and knocked off 5m 16s from my previous PR. I ended up with a 8:27/mile pace, which torched my previous 8:51/mile pace. I felt good the whole race. My lungs did not hurt. My feet did not hurt. My left hip has been bothering me off and on the last few weeks, but it held together today. It hurt sometimes, and other times I didn't even notice it. The last few miles, my hip felt like a rusty hinge, but again any pain was manageable. Thanks to my wife and children for all the encouragement and helping with race stuff. You guys are awesome!

My new Half-Marathon PR is 1hr 50m 45s (8:27/mile pace).

I guess this puts a nice bow on my July 2017 Goal. Mission Accomplished.

Final monthly stats:

Runs: 31
Distance: 190.31 miles
Total Time: 26h 51m 15s
Avg Distance (50 minute runs): 5.91 miles
Best Distance (50 minute runs): 6.47 miles (Day 16)
Worst Distance (50 minute runs): 5.65 (Day 1 and Day 11)
Total Calories: 26,165
Avg Speed: 7.1 mph
Avg Pace: 8:28 min/mile

July 2017 Goal - Day 30 Update

Well, it all comes down to this. 30 days done. 30 complete days of running 50 minutes each day.  Only one day left. All that stands between me and the end of July is a half-marathon. I'm gunning for a new a PR, anything faster than 1hr 56m 01s. In the immortal words of Izzy Mandelbaum, "It's go time."

Current monthly stats:

Runs: 30
Distance: 177.21 miles
Total Time: 25h 00m 30s
Avg Distance: 5.91 miles
Best Distance: 6.47 miles (Day 16)
Worst Distance: 5.65 (Day 1 and Day 11)
Total Calories: 24,367
Avg Speed: 7.1 mph
Avg Pace: 8:28 min/mile

July 2017 Goal - Day 25 Update

Well, here we go. Only 6 days left. I faltered for a bit over this last week, trying to find my running mojo. The last two days, though, I just went back to running the way I used to in the beginning of the month. My left hip pain has mellowed out and feels like it is getting better every day. I might have just enough gas in the tank to finish this month healthy and get my half-marathon PR on July 31st. We'll know soon enough.

Current monthly stats:

Runs: 25
Distance: 148.02 miles
Total Time: 20h 50m 24s
Avg Distance: 5.92 miles
Best Distance: 6.47 miles (Day 16)
Worst Distance: 5.65 (Day 1 and Day 11)
Total Calories: 20,359
Avg Speed: 7.1 mph
Avg Pace: 8:27 min/mile

July 2017 Goal - Day 20 Update

I don't know how to run anymore. I changed up my running form twice in the last five days, since nothing feels right and parts of my legs hurt. I've gone from bad to worse. My left hip and/or left groin tendon and/or calf muscles and/or foot blisters hurt depending on how I run. At this point, I just need to keep myself together with duct tape if need be. Now that I think about it, I think my current downward spiral happened right after my July 16 run where I got my new 10K PR. All I know is this: I cannot get injured any worse or this month's goal will be in serious jeopardy.

Current monthly stats:

Runs: 20
Distance: 118.81 miles
Total Time: 16h 40m 19s
Avg Distance: 5.94 miles
Best Distance: 6.47 miles (Day 16)
Worst Distance: 5.65 (Day 1 and Day 11)
Total Calories: 16,350
Avg Speed: 7.1 mph
Avg Pace: 8:25 min/mile

New 10K PR #2

I can't explain this one very well. I basically started the run with the mindset of not caring. I didn't care how my body felt or if I was hurt or if I was running the right way or if I was going too fast or too slow. I just ran. I kept telling myself to run easy and smooth, smooth and easy. Let your free wheeling mind determine the correct combination of the million different body variables. I did not consciously try for this 10K PR, but I guess all that smooth and easy action added up to shaving 26 seconds off my PR.

My new 10K PR is 47m 53s (7:44/mile pace).

July 2017 Goal - Day 15 Update

15 days down, 16 days to go. This is starting to suck. I have good days where the runs feel fine and easy, or at least doable, and other days where I don't want to start, can't wait for it to end, and sometimes feel like I cannot finish. Is this the life of a middle-aged man who wants to run? Who thinks he can run? I'm at the halfway point here for this month, but if I add up my previous months, today was my 47th day in a row of running. Maybe I'm just getting worn down. Running is mentally and physically taxing. I am fighting a two front war.

Current monthly stats:

Runs: 15
Distance: 88.77 miles
Total Time: 12h 30m 14s
Avg Distance: 5.92 miles
Best Distance: 6.42 miles (Day 7)
Worst Distance: 5.65 (Day 1 and Day 11)
Total Calories: 12,214
Avg Speed: 7.1 mph
Avg Pace: 8:29 min/mile

July 2017 Goal - Day 10 Update

10 days down, 21 to go. I am finishing my 50 minute run every single day, but I can tell my body is starting to struggle. There are chinks in my armor. Some days my legs hurt, others my knees. Some days I can run without much effort, and others are mentally and physically tough to finish. However, the bright spot for these last five days was Day 7, where I broke my 10K PR from last year. I plan to concentrate on staying healthy enough to keep finishing these runs and hopefully break my half-marathon record on July 31st.

Current monthly stats:

Runs: 10
Distance: 59.30 miles
Total Time: 8h 20m 9s
Avg Distance: 5.93 miles
Best Distance: 6.42 miles (Day 7)
Total Calories: 8,167
Avg Speed: 7.1 mph
Avg Pace: 8:22 min/mile

New 10K PR

Well, I did not plan on trying for a new 10K PR today, but after running the first three miles and being pleasantly surprised with my pace, I decided to go for it over the last 3 miles. It was grueling. I wanted to quit many times. My lungs hurt, my mind was strained from intense concentration, and my legs were starting to give up, but somehow I persevered. I hung on to the finish. My old 10K PR from last year was 49m 04s. I beat that by 45 seconds today.

My new 10K PR is 48m 19s (7:48/mile pace).

July 2017 Goal - Day 5 Update

Well, five days have come and gone already. My plan is to run for 50 minutes every single day this month with no slower than a 9:00/mile pace. My current pace after five runs is 8:38. So, in my humble opinion, I have started tackling this goal with tenacity and anger and hubris. Also, there might be some running involved, but I refuse to verify that.

Current monthly stats:

Runs: 5
Distance: 28.94 miles
Total Time: 4h 10m 5s
Avg Distance: 5.79 miles
Best Distance: 5.99 miles (Day 5)
Total Calories: 3,973
Avg Speed: 6.9 mph
Avg Pace: 8:38 min/mile

July 2017 Goal Revealed

Oops, this month kinda snuck up on me. I forgot to write an update on my running goal for July 2017. I plan to run 50 minutes every single day, averaging a 9 minute per mile pace or faster and end with an attempt at a half-marathon PR on July 31st. My current half-marathon PR is 1h 56m 01s (8:51/mile) which I did back in August 2016. I feel confident after this month of training, I can beat that. Wish me luck.