So, I have entered a half marathon. I am not really worried about this, as I have run several before so I know I can do it. My times have varied from 1 hr 53 mins to 2 hr 36 min, which is quite a wide vector of performances. My last half was a year ago, in the Great Birmingham run which where I posted my worst time. The other times were about 15 years previous and were mostly in and around the 2 hour mark. So, either I am too old and done, or I have not really done the best training. Speaking of which, I have 8 weeks to go and not really started.
8 Weeks is not a lot, but my target is modest, I want to get round, enjoy it, and beat last years time. Last year, I did 2 * 15km runs in the 8 weeks prior to the half. I thought that would be enough for me to be able to just get round at an average pace. However, turns out the extra 7km was significant. Also, the 15km runs that I did were totally flat and the Birmingham route is actually quite hilly so on reflection, my training was poor. I potentially have a better base level of fitness than last year, but am sort of in the same shape. So, all things being equal, the worst I should do is the same time as last year.
Negatives, I am just coming off having the flu which is a killer for the male gender as we all know. Bed ridden for 1.5 days, lacking in energy and now have a cough so that is not a great start. This coming week I am off to France with work, and then the following week I am on a lads skiing trip to the Alps. When in France with work, I can go for runs but I will be in a city that I do not know very well and so finding a route will not be straightforward, and I will have some engagements so will need to make sure I find the time. When skiing, there will be no training, in fact there will be some anti-training.
As things stand, I have no plan, and some hurdles over the next 2 weeks. Also note, last year my feet really hurt as I was running round. I am no physio, but I have noticed that when my calves tighten, then this seems to make my feet hurt more. Anyway, ibuprofen and stretching calves before race, check. I am going to assume I am starting from scratch and that in order to run better this year I will need more than 2 long runs at more than 15km, on undulating terrain. That is all I know for certain. Training starts tomorrow.