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It’s one month until the Mo’ Cowbell Half Marathon race that I have been training for the last 14 weeks. I’ve been slacking with my training updates. Maybe it’s because I think no on really care. But also probably because I’m just so focused! I was motivated to give an update because I just ran a 5k this past Friday night and it was not where I thought I was fitness wise, but I also don’t believe it. I’ll share more about that. But first, let’s catch up.
The last post I had just finished my first 4 weeks of training. Now I am on my last 4 weeks. That is pretty surreal. Here is what I currently feel about race day.
- I know I will be wearing Senita for my race apparel. That is a given. (discount code = SAMNZIMMERMAN)
- I know I will be drinking Gatorade Endurance Watermelon electrolytes and wearing my Drankful vest for the race.
- I *think* I will be exclusively using Crank E Gels for my fueling throughout the race.
- I will be wearing a hat because I have learned how great of a job it does at keeping sweat out of my eyes.
- I will not PR and break 1:45 (yet.)
- I do think I can run sub 1:55.
I have made peace with the fact that once again, this race won’t be the one that gives me a new shiny PR that I have been chasing after. What this race means to me is starting and finishing healthy. I want to FINALLY have a good base and foundation that carries me to the next race and continuing after that. That is what I am hopeful for. As far as current fitness 4 weeks out, I could see myself breaking 1:55. But overall goal will be to have fun, run my race, finish healthy and be able to keep up a good foundation.
My 5K I ran in 25:39 which was an 8:15 pace. I don’t believe this is my current fitness for a 5k. The race was at night, hotter than I would have liked and I never really do a good job at fueling appropriately for a night race. My first mile was in 7:54 and that actually felt comfortable for me. I just went downhill after and what felt the same pace was actually 8:22 and then another 8:22. I personally believe if I had ran a 5k the following morning instead of that evening, where the temps were a nice crisp 40-50ish degrees, that I *MAY* have seen a sub 24 which was my goal and where I thought I could have easily been.
But that’s the great thing about this training cycle. Every run is a gift and that race was a scheduled tempo run for my training plan and I think I executed that well for the effort I needed in my training week. I then had an amazing 10 miler on Sunday where I felt really good and strong. My quads were a bit tired from the race but with all things considered, I was so excited to feel good. I ran my 10 miler at 9:58 pace in 44 degrees and it was glorious. I will do one more 10 miler if my body holds up and then I will start my decrease of mileage to prepare for race day!
I cannot believe I am saying that. Three long run days left and one of those will probably only be 6 or 7 miles. I’m glad I am sitting here writing this and so happy and proud of how I have been keeping up with my training. However, I also know how important these final weeks are to staying healthy and injury free.
I’m sure I will do another post before race day with my final thoughts and plans. For now, thank you for your continued support!
