Those who follow/read my blog, know my troubles of late running … trying to run I should say. I just haven’t been able to muster strength/energy for any sustained distance. Today I did. Maybe this post should read; from 800m to 12K?! Kinda like that one too, lol! Yes, I ran like I used to. Even a couple of kilometers in, I knew I had it. I felt it. And, as God as my witness, I kept saying to myself, “I’m gonna run a half-marathon” “I’m gonna run a half-marathon” … over, and over, I kept repeating it. At around 10K, my Garmin – for the first time too, gave me the LOW BATTERY warning. And, I had no clue how much time I had before it died completely. I started panicking, and bailed at 12K. Would I have gotten the 21.1K? Maybe, maybe not … I do know that I would have gotten 16 or 17 for sure. Anyways, it is what it it, I’m very happy … oh, and you know me, I still gotta kvetch about something, lol … Garmin messed up kilometer #1 … I easily ran 50m more past my marker. It shoulda been a 4:45 – 4:50 lap. I only mention this, ‘cuase it woulda made all my laps sub 5 minutes. Which they all were! Whatever … here’s this morning’s 12K.
Tag Archives: 12K
my running intent!
my training has been seldom and sporadic. today, I planned on running farther and slower. I really was hoping for a 12K at maybe a 4:48 – 4:50 pace. I know too, that this was probably overly optimistic, but that was my plan. my 4:41 first K, I was fine, I felt well within myself … slow it down for the next K I said to myself. 4:31 – yikes, but still felt good. when I saw that 4:34 third K, I knew I was fucked! my lungs were beginning to burn too, not helping matters – lack of training is my enemy. shut it down at my proverbial 4K run, and I’m fine w/ that. I’m always happy with a sub 18 minute 4K – I know this one wasn’t, but easily coulda been – I ran it thinking, I’d be running farther than a 4K, so I was saving some gas in the tank. still thrilled w/ an 18:17! have I told y’all lately how much I REALLY miss running, lol?!
there’s no crying in marathons!
OMG, I just realized something! As you all are aware, I signed up for my 1st marathon, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (October 19). Unfortunately, I’ve been housebound w/ training … building a cardio foundation best I can. I tried hitting the roads about a month back, but winter wouldn’t let go its nasty grip. Now the plan is to FINALLY start/resume full-on training tomorrow (stay tuned) – YEAY!! Looking at the weather forecast, looks like were in for double digit temps for at least a week. Ok, back to my realization!! I see from my Running Records that I PR’ed a 12K on October 20th of last year. Took me a second putting 2+2 together … but that was the day LAST year’s marathon was run … and now I recall it completely; I purposely went for a dedication run of sorts that morning, acknowledging all the competitors. I also remember it because afterwards, I spent the entire day working doing demolition/construction/renovations! Even though it was a record run (I don’t run 12K often), I did it running well within myself! And, seeing that time/run … AND now focusing and visualizing for what lies ahead, all I can think is; if I could repeat that effort (3 1/2 times over) on October 19th, I’d be chuffed as fuck! AND, I know my title has absolutely nothing to w/ any of this … it just came to me. All the hard work anyone who attempts a marathon must endure isn’t lost on me in the slightest … and I thought it was appropriate knowing I’m in for a world of hurt …
… for old time’s sake y’all!
one hour run and gun!
I did this once before. Never attempted it again because it was too close to my 12K runs. Figured, if I wanna set a PR, it’d be for that distance. But, knowing I ain’t setting any PRs these days, got into a comfortable cruise control rhythm after 4K (actually sped up for the next 4K), and kept running. Now was about duration – 20+ minutes to go. Final 4K ended as I began. Was a great run! Oh, btw … my other timed hour run – I covered 12.52K. Yep, I bettered it, another PR, lol?!
My fave. The paved path! A man & his best friend … ain’t nuthin’ better!!
Even Steven splits! Again!
12.6K – 1000 cals gonzo! Woohoo!
Toronto Marathon Day!
And no, I didn’t run … I had to work today, plus I didn’t register in time, but if I did, I would have only entered for the half marathon, no way I’d be able to run a full marathon, not yet. So impressed by those who do. Kudos, congrats to all participants. But, getting caught up in the spirit of the day, went out this morning (such a beautiful, cool, crisp autumn day too) and demolished a 12K … set a PR by a whole minute and a half too! Woot woot! It’s my first PR of the month, and to achieve it today, makes it extra special!
Monday Morning Half Marathon!
I’ve been saying to myself for quite some time now, “one day I’m gonna go for my run, and run a half marathon”. That day never came, never came close … 12K was as far as I got. Even then, I was going through it in my mind, and I knew 100 minutes would be around my time (well, the time I wanted to achieve), but I also felt, I’d probably miss it by just a bit … and I did … 101 minutes & 3 seconds. Typically, I’m a bat outta hell type of runner, running fast from the start, so when I near home (8K), I stop. Today, I reigned in my pace from the beginning, I knew this would be the only way I’d ever run a half marathon. And at the 50 minute mark – what I perceive as the half way point, my audio cue had me at 10.64K … so I was well ahead of a sub 100 minute pace … and I kept up that pace for 13K … but as you can see from my 14K – 21K splits, I started slipping … slowly, not much … and again, at least all those splits were consistent. And check out those calories burned – 2384!!!! WHOA!!
1 hour – 12.52K
… my first one hour run for distance! Have been meaning to attempt this, giving myself something new/different to strive for. As you may know, I’m an 8K a day guy, and I do occasionally stretch out to 10K … and I have completed one 12K. I extrapolated, did the math, and knew (know) that on a good day, I’d be able to span 13K in one hour. And, on a so-so, average day would be close, but no cigar! Today was that kinda day. I started running with the one hour goal in mind, no matter my time. Unfortunately around 6 kilometers, I was ready to bail, I dunno – really wasn’t feeling strong, and was tightening up. But, I drew inspiration from this runner’s blog (I’m in awe of her – her ability, her knowledge, her training methods) I stumbled on … actually, have been perusing running blogs … and the majority of them, I have to give my head a shake reading them … now, while I don’t dare say anything on your blogs, on mine, I’ll simply say this … your attempts/efforts are terribly misguided … ’nuff said. And this from a person who only took up running three months ago, lol. So, here I am ready to pack in my attempt, but I remembered her words from earlier this morning … and I didn’t quit! I told myself – push hard for the next kilometer, and see what happens … so I did … and surprise, surprise I continued pushing hard for the remaining 25 minutes completing the hour run. Considering everything, I’m extremely pleased … and proud!
twelve and a half kilometers …
My First 5K Run!!
Ok, so technically NOT an official, organized one. Hey, I tried signing up for the JAZZ RUN in the Beaches tomorrow, but they were sold out. Fuck it – I’ll run my own 5K TODAY!!
Quickie Recap:
I run 8K daily – EVERYDAY … and usually I run two 4Ks wanting a great 4K PR time – and as I’ve mentioned before it’s a circular route, and the halfway point is the perfect spot to stop my RunKeeper app. At times, I run the 8K without breaking it into two separate runs, and 10K occasionally – even 12K too, bottom line, I travel well past 5 kilometers every single day, but I’ve never hit start/stop for the 5K distance?!?! I know, weird eh, lol?! Now, I knew (roughly) what I was capable of by looking at my strong 8K runs, and of course, at all of those fast 4k times I’ve put down. I figured I could go sub 18 minutes for the four, tack on another four and a half minutes for the fifth kilometer, and I’d be sitting chilly on a quick 22:30 5K – and I’d def be chuffed as fuck with that!
Today’s Run:
Started like I always try to – like a bat outta hell … and as typical, I began questioning how well/fast I was traveling/feeling, lol! After my 15 minute audio cue, I knew I was flying … after 20 minutes, I was at 4.53 kilometers … HOLY CUBAN CIGAR SMOKES BATMAN – 470 meters more, and I hit STOP on my app … twentytwominutes&twoseconds … I couldn’t fucking believe it … I STILL can’t believe it – 22:02!! Not only did I exceed expectations, I blew them away by a huge margin! And knowing myself, and especially not wanting to disappoint myself … I don’t know if I can ever run a 5K again, lol!
Yup, I did it:
Fast Splits:
a 12 kilometer run!
… ’cause twelve’s a beautiful number!
Today was a great day for running, all that humidity we had lingering lifted … nothing but sunshine, and a cool breeze to enjoy my early morning run. Was perfect. After two kilometers, I knew I wasn’t on any sort of record pace, so I settled into a comfortable run … it was then I knew I wanted to challenge myself for distance, and I thought 12K would be easy enough. And it was, I maintained a consistent pace (as you can see from my splits), and I was very happy with my time – a 57:43 clocking. And check out the calories burned – 960 … yeah, I’ll take that. Nice way to start the day!