Kewash Nature Trail Half Marathon 2017

There were more runners this year than last's. The first part of the course was new and had to run in some streets of Washington, IA. Running on the trail was the best part.  You can feel the difference once we finish the trail and have to run on the street asphalt.

I was able to run faster this year than the previous ones. Very pleased with my time. However, the last mile was painful running uphill on the streets. 

2017       PACE: 7:45 MPM              TIME: 1:41:30     DATE: 04/23/2017

2016       PACE: 8:23 MPM              TIME: 1:49:54     DATE: 05/21/2016

2015       PACE: 8:09 MPM              TIME: 1:46:48     DATE: 06/06/2015

2014       PACE: 7:59 MPM              TIME: 1:44:40     DATE: 07/07/2014

GARMIN

Now, the question is, can I recover enough so that I can run well again in two weeks for the Red Shoe Half Marathon?  I need to be smart.

Sunday Long Run

Training for Kewash Nature Trail Half Marathon next Saturday. I have run this race since it was started in 2014. I think I should be able to PR this race (really? faster than 8:09?).

2016	1:49:58	8:23 MPM
2015	1:46:52	8:09 MPM

I feel like I can do better than the last couple of years. I know, I am tired from last week. But, I guess I am pretty fit and haven't been hurt lately. Ran about 9.6 miles this morning (avg pace: 8:32 mpm). I wanted to run 8:45 pace, but it was hard. I ran faster the second half.

Go! Saint Louis Marathon

Things did not go the way I wanted. Tried to stay with the pace group (3:40), but he was going faster than what was expected (8:23 MPM). I was not planing to go faster than 8:17 MPM.

Garmin

Miles 2 (7:47), 3 (8:00), 6 (8:07), 8 (7:55) and 10 (8:09) were faster than I had planed. I guess I needed a better pacer for the first 13 miles too. I trusted the group pacer too much. Also, the course was very tough in the first half of the marathon. Running so fast the first half just killed me.

Felt tired when I was joined by Jeff on mile 13. Had terrible cramps on my left calf at mile 18. Had to stop running and started to walk. Tried to run again and cramps appeared again and again. I read some ultrarunners take salt tablets at mile 5, 10, 15, and 20. I might try this on my next marathon.

I need to learn to trust in myself (and my Garmin) and do my own race. Next time, I should try to do it on my own (if the pacer is too fast or too slow).

Anyways, another marathon, another learning experience.

Ready for Saint Louis Marathon 2017

Well, I am as ready as I can be.  Tapering time. Now, I need to feed myself well and get lots of rest. The idea is to follow the 3:40 pace group for the first half of the marathon, and then, join Jeff and run the second half a little bit faster, hopefully.
Running along with Jeff will make all the difference.