In an attempt to answer the question "what's the minimum effort I need to expend to run under 4 hours in July?" I decided yesterday to go to bed early so that I can get up at 5:00am and run a half marathon (13.1 miles) in San Ramon. Results have been posted here, I ran 1:59:22, just over the 9 minute pace I tried to hold to. 10th out of 18 in 25-29 males.
This is the longest distance I've run, and I went there with the goal to come in under 2 hours by sticking to the pace, but I'm not good at it yet. My first mile was like 7:40, but by about mile 3 I had it sorted out. Started to run out of energy at the 5 mile mark. Left toe started going numb about 9 miles. All but the big toe on right foot numb by 11 miles. Had enough energy to step it up to probably around a 7 min pace the last few hundred yards, which means I could have set my pace faster.
One thing that I was able to determine is that I am able to eat energy gel and drink some water while running without getting an upset stomach.
7:00pm addendum: my knees are not likely to hold up on a marathon unless I build up to it. I can walk, but I have trouble with stairs and getting out of the car right now. Hopefully I'll be better by tomorrow.
This is the longest distance I've run, and I went there with the goal to come in under 2 hours by sticking to the pace, but I'm not good at it yet. My first mile was like 7:40, but by about mile 3 I had it sorted out. Started to run out of energy at the 5 mile mark. Left toe started going numb about 9 miles. All but the big toe on right foot numb by 11 miles. Had enough energy to step it up to probably around a 7 min pace the last few hundred yards, which means I could have set my pace faster.
One thing that I was able to determine is that I am able to eat energy gel and drink some water while running without getting an upset stomach.
7:00pm addendum: my knees are not likely to hold up on a marathon unless I build up to it. I can walk, but I have trouble with stairs and getting out of the car right now. Hopefully I'll be better by tomorrow.
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