Les Foulées du Lac! Ready? Set! Go!

So, the "half" marathon was yesterday morning. The scare quotes are there because it actually turned out to be 15 miles instead of 13.1. The course was also different (slightly) than the one advertised, which accounted for the extra distance. Additionally, they weren't manning the turn-around during the second lap and neither was there anybody standing at the second water point the second time past. The sponge station was out of sponges the first time I ran by (just a bunch of kids singing, "there are no more, there are no more") and the whole thing started a half hour late.

But I finished. All 15 miles of the "half" marathon. So at least there is that.

I ended up drinking seven bottles of water throughout the course--and still ended up fairly dehydrated. It was just too darn hot. I ended up looking behind me at around mile ten on a long straightaway and saw that there was nobody there. Turned out that there actually were a few folks behind me, quite a ways back, but the hundred some people that were behind me at the start all ended up quitting. Another piece of good news too is that besides the sunburn I have as a souvenir I have zero soreness today, even just one day after. All that training over the last few months paid off in that regard.

So, watch this space for more--this chapter is over, but I've got something that I think is exciting planned for the next several months. Stay tuned...

Distance training, part 102.97

Shortish long run today, only 5 miles. First half mile was up a hill, next half mile down the other side. I only took one short walk break at about the 3.5 mile mark. Didn't feel especially great throughout the run, but during the last quarter mile I started to feel really good...I upped the pace a bit even. I was actually disappointed when the run was over--I had a lot left in the tank (more than I realized) and could have gone for a few more miles. Which is good since the mileage gets cranked up next weekend, training plan says 9 miles. Although it will be a challenge to fit it in. Dylan's birthday is Saturday, we're going to go to the beach on Friday, and I hope to go SCUBA diving on Sunday. But this is important, we'll see...maybe it will slip to Monday.

iPod mileage says 5.62, MapMyRun says 5.17:

Les Foulées du Lac

Here's the course for the half-marathon. The street map view is a bit weird, but in the satellite view you can see that the whole course is in fact on dry land.

Run! Part 83.86

Did my long run today...iPod says 7.85, MapMyRun says 7...looks like I need to recalibrate the iPod, no? Nice route today too, not too hilly. Feel good now, I only took two walking breaks. And it took me right by the Med:

David's training, part 76.01

Took the kids to music class this afternoon, Sofia had her violin lesson and Dylan had his guitar class. I was able to use the time to do my Thursday run. I said to Stefanie earlier that I noticed at work today that my legs really feel good--got some pep in my step and its because they are getting stronger.

Here's the route I took:

David's running diary part 61.87

I thought that maybe posting my training for the Berges du Lac half-marathon on the first of June (hyper-link is in French, so be careful) might be another thing to keep me motivated...so, with that in mind...here's entry number 1. Probably won't post every day, but I'll definitely do so after my long runs.

To start it off though, here's the starting point.

Gear: Green iPod with Nike+ (coolest thing ever, keeps track of pace and distance--I calibrated it, but it still seems to be off--no big deal since it gives me extra credit!)

Mileage as of today, 31 March: 61.87. Pace info is also way off since it was calibrated on the slow side.

Did a long run yesterday, the iPod said 6 miles, MapMyRun.com says 5.5 miles--like I said, I choose to believe the iPod.