On the Radar

My next big event is this weekend, the Citizens Bank Caesar Rodney Half Marathon, in Wilmington Delaware. The last time I ran a half marathon was last September, in the Philadelphia Distance Run. This is a great race for anyone interested. At that time, I ran the first 7 miles faster than I had anything previously and spent the last 3 and half miles sucking wind. It wasn't pretty at the end but I finished. The final tally was a 2:45 minute race. I was very happy with that time considering what I went through just to finish the thing. The nagging plantar injury was alive and well at that time and I was able to grit out a finish. It was a good feeling. My neighbor Jack ran with me and we both had a great time. I still use the slippers they gave us post race when I do to do laundry down in the basement.

So what am I planning for this Sunday. In short, I am not sure. I know I am a much better runner today than I was 6 months ago but in terms of time, I am confused as to what to expect from myself. I think I can reasonably shave a minute off my time per mile from last September, which was a 12:36 per mile. If I shoot for 11:30 per mile, I would end up at 2:30:45, I think that this is a completely reasonable goal. I think based on my last two long runs and the excitement of race day, I should be able to do better than this.

So I think my goal will be 2:30:00 but I will aim for an 11:15 pace over the course of the race or a 2:27:28 total time. There is no real appreciable difference between the two. But that is what I am shooting for. If I go over my goal so be it, in the long run it is only a training run for my May marathon.