I just wanted to brag a teensy bit....

**phoenix** · 09-21-2011, 05:33 AM

-sorry.

I managed to run my first half-marathon this past Sunday....and live!

It was actually pretty fun....did it for charity. I never thought my old, tired butt could do it, but hey.

I am hoping to do a bit better with the speed, though. At the moment I average a 13 to 14 minute mile. I know I need to lose a lot more weight....any other suggestions? I figure if I just keep on doing what I have been doing, and just try to speed up the pace, that would work. I commute by bike, too, so that may help.

Anyone do a triathlon? How hard are they? Am I just being insane to think I could do that?

**NJbound** · 09-21-2011, 06:58 AM

congrats!! Its quite an accomplishment!! Change your lifestyle with your eating habits and stay active is all you need to lose weight

**phoenix** · 09-21-2011, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by NJbound

congrats!! Its quite an accomplishment!! Change your lifestyle with your eating habits and stay active is all you need to lose weight

Thank you

I am just happy I managed to finish and raise some money for cancer. And yeah, I think once I stop eating JUNK...which is my downfall...I might be able to lose some more weight. Old habits are just too hard to break, though. Case in point. I just got off a 12 hour shift...and working nights is a killer on your body in itself-what do I do, eat a bowl of ice cream and have leftover hotdogs before going to bed. NOT GOOD:/ I am the master of self-sabotage. Boo.

**DocAwesome** · 09-21-2011, 09:22 AM

Well done.

The second run you will shave off more time, it's just the way it is.

**Alley** · 09-21-2011, 10:20 AM

Phoenix, That is awesome your first 1/2 marathon congratulations!!! You earned the right to brag brag brag and way more than a teensy bit.

Don't worry about your time if you got out there had fun and crossed the finish line that is all that matters. Your time will likely be better if you run another 1/2 just because you know what to expect. I'm odd the last 3 years I ran the rock n roll Philly 1/2 (used to be Philly Distance Run) I ran the exact same time. This year I looked at my splits or whatever you call it and noticed a pattern of the last 3 miles I turn into a snail. Although I ran my first 1/2 in VA beach then two weeks later another 1/2 in Philly and I cut off 8 minutes.

I'm not into triathlon's, but I don't think you are insane to think you could do them. Maybe check out Team in Training or one of those type charities to see if they have any.

GREAT JOB ON THE 1/2 MARATHON!!!

**supersupper** · 09-21-2011, 10:58 AM

Congrats Phoenix. A long run like that is quite an accomplishment. Have you thought of doing a full marathon ?

I have completed several Metric Century bike rides (60mi), and have committing myself to a full Century 100 mi next year (and to complete it in syle, not crawl across the finish line). This goal is attainable and therefore a good incentive for me to keep training. I used to swim and run when I was younger and have thought about a triathalon also, but I'm not committed to it in my head yet so it remains a fantasy.

**phoenix** · 09-21-2011, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by Alley

Phoenix, That is awesome your first 1/2 marathon congratulations!!! You earned the right to brag brag brag and way more than a teensy bit.

Don't worry about your time if you got out there had fun and crossed the finish line that is all that matters. Your time will likely be better if you run another 1/2 just because you know what to expect. I'm odd the last 3 years I ran the rock
n roll Philly 1/2 (used to be Philly Distance Run) I ran the exact same time. This year I looked at my splits or whatever
you call it and noticed a pattern of the last 3 miles I turn into a snail. Although I ran my first 1/2 in VA beach then two
weeks later another 1/2 in Philly and I cut off 8 minutes.

I'm not into triathlon's, but I don't think you are insane to think you could do them. Maybe check out Team in Training or
one of those type charities to see if they have any.

GREAT JOB ON THE 1/2 MARATHON!!!

Thanks! And I did the half marathon through Team in Training. They are a pretty cool charity to run for. If I do get up the nerve to do a triathlon, I would do one with them. I think one they are involved in is in Washington, DC.

I noticed that the longer I ran, the slower I got....which makes sense, I suppose. So, perhaps if I keep working on the time and stop eating JUNK, it might get better.

**phoenix** · 09-21-2011, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by supersupper

Congrats Phoenix. A long run like that is quite an accomplishment. Have you thought of doing a full marathon ?

I have completed several Metric Century bike rides (60mi), and have committing myself to a full Century 100 mi next year (and to complete it in syle, not crawl across the finish line). This goal is attainable and therefore a good incentive for me to keep training. I used to swim and run when I was younger and have thought about a triathalon also, but I'm not committed to it in my head yet so it remains a fantasy.

That's cool, doing all those bike rides. I did one this spring/summer for the ACS, it was one that started at the Ben Franklin bridge? They had a 63 mile ride and a century ride. I did the 63 miles....and that whipped my butt, and lord knows how long I took. I think I was one of the last people to finish, hehe. See, me the idiot did it right after a 12 hour shift. Duh:/

I joined WMMR's team, and they didn't even know I was on their team when I finished and checked in. That was too funny

However....the fact that they weren't keeping track of thier team was NOT a good thing

Team in Training made SURE to keep track of all thier team, they even had coaches going back and forth through the course to make sure everyone was ok, and everyone made it back.

**phoenix** · 09-21-2011, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by DocAwesome

Well done.

The second run you will shave off more time, it's just the way it is.

Thank you!!! I plan to do better the next time. This time, I was just glad I finished. Now I know it is possible for an old crank like me to do something like this

I don't know about a full marathon, though....0_O

**Oladybug** · 09-21-2011, 06:41 PM

High five, Phoenix. That's excellent.

**phoenix** · 09-21-2011, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by Oladybug

High five, Phoenix. That's excellent.

Thank you! I have been slacking, though...I have to do a long run tomorrow...

**Freckles** · 09-22-2011, 09:29 AM

Congrats!!

Keep running. You'll get faster and build more endurance, which means you can run those last 3 miles better. Check out halhigdon.com for a variety of plans and info - he's got some good, free info for beginners (and non-beginners). I'm following one of his plans to train for my first marathon in 2 months.

I ran the half, too, and it was the first race (not that I've been racing long, but still...) that I ran a negative split and didn't blow up at the end (i.e., I was able to maintain a faster pace in my second half and still had energy to cross the finish line). I even sprinted up that little incline before the finish line. I totally credit my marathon training for my better performance.

**OldMama** · 09-22-2011, 09:55 AM

Great job!!

I just read something like this: Finishing dead last is still better than not finishing and not finishing is still better than never starting.

In my (much) younger days I did a few 5k runs. Never attempted more than that. In my old (or late middle) age, I have become more health conscious. I cut my carb consumption in half and what's left is 90% whole grain, eat mostly lean protein, and lots of fruits and veggies. I just hit the 40 lb weight loss mark and I feel so much better. Still need new knees at some point but I only take the pain meds on damp days. It's never too late!

**Dayman** · 09-22-2011, 09:59 AM

Ugh I wish I was consistent enough with running to do this.

**Alley** · 09-22-2011, 10:13 AM

Freckles I followed Hal Higdon plan for my first marathon. I would highly recommend the plan to anyone. Now you have me thinking maybe I should look at the plan and see if I can cut some time of my 1/2. Ah, I'm probably not motivated enough to do that I'm always happy to just cross the finish line run, walk or crawl.

**Dayman** · 09-22-2011, 10:29 AM

I missed my Wednesday run because I was in cape may and had no running gear. I guess I'll make it up today haha.

**Freckles** · 09-22-2011, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by Dayman

Ugh I wish I was consistent enough with running to do this.

I find that having a goal to train for, whether it's a 5K or marathon, helps keep me going. I skipped a lot of runs when I wasn't training for anything earlier this year. I will say that I'm in a groove now with this marathon training (even though getting up at 4:45 is not fun) and hope to keep up with it to some extent after November 20.

OldMama: There's always someone (or several someones) with t-shirts at races that state that: DLF (Dead Last Finish)>DNF (Did Not Finish)>DNS (Did Not Start). I like reading them. Congrats on your weight loss!

**NickleDimer** · 09-22-2011, 05:39 PM

Congrats. The even bigger accomplishment is all the dedication that it took to get ready for race day.

**theatergypsy** · 09-22-2011, 06:52 PM

OMG Phoenix! I'm self-satisfied that I can walk a mile and a half each day. I can't even run from the house to the car! You have no idea how many people are silently cheering for you, even if you never better your time. Way to go.

**phoenix** · 09-22-2011, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by Freckles

Congrats!!

Keep running. You'll get faster and build more endurance, which means you can run those last 3 miles better. Check out halhigdon.com for a variety of plans and info - he's got some good, free info for beginners (and non-beginners). I'm following one of his plans to train for my first marathon in 2 months.

I ran the half, too, and it was the first race (not that I've been racing long, but still...) that I ran a negative split and didn't blow up at the end (i.e., I was able to maintain a faster pace in my second half and still had energy to cross the
finish line). I even sprinted up that little incline before the finish line. I totally credit my marathon training for my better
performance.

Thanks for the info, I will check that out. I did this with team in training, and they coach you. I had to do it virtually, though, they sent me daily reports, and I told them what I did....I had to do it this way because of my job.

As another poster stated, it's VERY helpful to have a end goal in mind, so that you CAN't slack, you know...I try to hunt down a lot of charity stuff in Philly, so I am killing two birds with one stone, so to speak...helping with different charities (I tend to focus on cancer, but not exclusively) and trying to lose weight at the same time.

I find it helps with my depression, too...which is a big plus. (I have clinical depression, have had it since I was a teen).