A new strategy?

I recently ran into a gentleman whom I have worked with in the past. He commented on the fact that I looked like I had lost a few pounds. So naturally, he is someone I will remember in this year's holiday cards.

Anyway, I mentioned to him I was running, and was getting in shape to run a half-marathon in May. He suggested that in his prior trainings for marathons (I didn't even know he was a runner!!!) he used to use a training technique to get ready for long runs, of running 8 minutes, and walking 1. He would use that 1 minute break getting water on the runs. After 10 miles or so, he said that an energy bar was a good idea.

So I have been trying this approach. Last weekend I ran about 9 miles, and I didn't feel good AT ALL. But I tried it again a couple of days ago, and I actually felt great. I only did about 5 miles, but I can really see this being a strategy to help me in my quest to finish this race, and feel good about myself.

The weather finally has been improving lately, so I have gotten out a bunch more lately. I still would prefer 60 degrees to 50, but I will take it for now. I just really want to be in a groove by late April, and I think I am going to try to spend the rest of this coming month just getting my confidence up about this race.

The other big-boned runners are all over the map at this point. One in Baltimore, one in Bermuda. I think I would prefer better temperatures than what it is in Hartford, but at this point, the fact that it isn't 16 degrees out is a bonus. I look forward to getting through this race, and starting to think about a full marathon.