Hapalua Half Marathon

As I've been working on my health, not just my weight, but overall health and fitness, I've started enjoying running again.  Les asked if I ever thought I'd do another marathon.  The jury is still out on that, but I had been thinking about attempting a half marathon...

 

I received an email last week from the Hapalua Half Marathon.  It's known as "Hawaii's Half Marathon" and in all the time we have spent there over the past 8 years I've never been in town to run it.  This year, as with many races, it's a virtual event and will take place in the month of April.  We have a little trip planned for my birthday at the end of April, so I decided to sign up and run the race before our trip.

 

Me at the finish line of the 2014 Honolulu Marathon

I found a 12 week half marathon training plan.  When I signed up I only had 6 weeks of training to go, so I'm following the second half of the plan.  I have already run one 10 miler this year, so I feel confident that I can finish 13.1.  I haven't done any speed work in a long time, so it may be my slowest half marathon to date, but I'm excited to see how it goes!

Anyone want to join me?

This Morning

I had my longest training run to date - 18 miles!  It was a tough one, with wind gusts around 15 mph, but I did it.  You can read mile by mile details here.

I just completed my ninth week of marathon training ~ only eight more to go!

100!

Only 100 more days until my marathon!  Eeeeeek!!

 

I ran 6 miles in 58 minutes yesterday.  9:40 pace.  My last two miles were 9:05 and 9:13.  I know I'm getting faster...  O2O here I come!

Quality vs. Quantity

One thing I'm learning in my marathon training is the difference between quality and quantity.  In the past I have run 40 to 50 miles in a week, but not pushed the pace.  Now I am running about 30 miles, but running with a focus.  One day I'll run 5 easy miles, the next I'll run 5 miles of hills, then a long slow distance.  Each day has a different focus with a certain time involved.  I can tell I'm getting stronger, even though I'm running shorter distances.

It's the same way with what we eat.  Eat an apple and you'll be satisfied for quite a while.  Have a 100 calorie snack pack and you'll be looking for more in a 30 minutes, and something else in an hour.

The Pharisees were all about quantity and making sure everyone saw it.  They fasted twice a week and payed tithe on everything.  Neither of things are wrong, they're actually good things.  But the quality of the Pharisees' lives were such that Jesus called them hypocrites seven times in Matthew chapter 23!

Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might"  Maybe you don't feel like you have a lot of talent ~ it doesn't matter.  Whatever you do, give if your best. 

“The person born with a talent they are meant to use will find their greatest happiness in using it. ”
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do. Your attitude determines how well you do it.”
~ Lou Holtz

Death Ride Registration

Registration for the 2011 Tour of the California Alps, AKA the Death Ride opens this morning at 10:00. Guess who is going to register?


NOT ME!!!


I will be registering Les since he is out of town on business. Only the first 3000 who register get in, so today is the day to sign up. He was so pleased with how he finished last year, he's ready to do it again!

Champions

This was my Runner's World Quote of the Day and I had to share it:

Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character.
- Alan Armstrong, author