A 1/2 Marathon Sandwich
I’m going to run the Santa Barbara News Press Half Marathon on Saturday. That means I’m sandwiching a 1/2 marathon between two 20+ mile runs. Why, you may ask, would I do something stupid like that? Why would I run harder than necessary during a cut-back week when my body is recuperating from a long run?
I’ll tell you why, because I want to and because it has worked for me in the past. I did this exact same thing 4 years ago and I ran a great marathon in December. So, why mess with what works?
Also, if you glanced at the photos from last week, a good chunk of the 1/2 marathon course is run on what will also be the last few miles of the marathon course which is gorgeous. Running there last week whet (yes, that’s how it’s spelled) my appetite for running near the ocean.
And finally, what better way to see where I am fitness-wise in comparison to 4 years ago. I’ll be in great shape to try and estimate a finish time for the marathon based on what I do on Saturday. Don’t think I need any more reasons that than.
There is one difference this year, though. The deadline to signup was Nov. 1. I blew it so I’ll have to do it at the packet pick-up tomorrow. No biggy, but that’s an additional $10 I could have put toward something else, I guess. There’s also no guarantee that they’ll have enough shirts. My shirt from 4 years ago is wearing thin and I could use an updated one, even though I think the logo’s cheesy.
So, a quick recap. I last participated in a race on July 4th 2007. I had zero base miles under my belt when I started ramping up for the SB marathon in August. 3 months after starting the whole running engine up again I’m running a 20 miler, a half marathon, and then a 22 miler on consecutive weekends.
Looks like things are picking up. And if they come crashing right back down again, you’ll be the first to hear about it.