A New Half Marathon PB

Photo of Brock at the start line of the race

Despite the icy, slushy, snowy and uneven Edmonton terrain, I managed to PB this morning! I posted the nerdy data/details at the Garmin Connect website – http://connect.garmin.com/activity/68153804

1:40:50 was my official time this morning at the Edmonton Hypothermic Half Marathon (sleepy-head edition). It was 2 degrees Celsius above zero so not an entirely accurate name for the race (this year) but still, racing outdoors in February in Edmonton is always a crap-shoot.

My previous Half Marathon PB was 1:54:05. I got that at the BMO Vancouver Marathon in 2009. I have done a couple Halfs since then but none very seriously. I have always considered the Full Marathon to be my race but after today I am having second thoughts. The Half Marathon is just so… civilized. I am still able to walk, talk and be productive even after PBing. That is not something I can usually say after a Full.

According to the stat sheet that was hanging near the finish line, I placed 7th overall and 3rd in my category. I will wait to see the results when they are posted online to make sure that is accurate but I have no reason to doubt that it is.

I am a proud runner… now I will wait to hear what my coach has to say about it! Come on Tania, check your email!

Tania Jones!

Yesterday I had the awesome pleasure of not only finding out that I have been shortlisted for the iRun Makeover Content but I got two emails and spoke on the phone with THE Tania Jones (I felt a little like an excited school boy).

We mostly chatted about the contest and how I might fit in if I was to be chosen as a finalist (which I really REALLY hope I do) but she also offered me some great training advice.

I think I am falling into the trap of the over achiever, over enthusiastic, over training marathon runner – I have hopes, dreams, goals and plans that don’t actually support each other… which is fine if “just participating” is your goal but… mine is not. I really have my sights set on qualifying for the Boston Marathon and that means I have to train smart and focused. Coach Jane had spoken to me about this in the past and it made sense then… but for some reason, since that conversation with Jane, I let that idea slide. Hearing it again from Tania made me realize that I was once again falling into that trap.

So this morning, I am off to get to work on some focused speed training and then this afternoon I am going to look at my plans for the season and see how I can streamline it. Woo!

See, even coaches need coaching.

2008, 2009 vs. 2010 Totals

Me running in the Seattle Marathon 2010

2010 wasn’t the best year for me in a number of ways… sigh… but it was a great year for my training, racing and for expanding my knowledge of Marathon and Triathlon. I received my TnT Coach Certification from an idol of mine, Jack Tupper Daniels, I have nearly completed my coach certification from the AFLCA (group fitness with a portable equipment designation) and I have reached “triathlon coach in training” status from the NCCP. I completed my first Olympic Distance Triathlon and now have my sites set on a Half-Ironman.

I track my workouts at www.workoutlog.com and these are my yearly totals for 2008, 2009 and 2010 (barring me going out for a big ride or run later today).

 

2008

2009

2010

Type

Distance

Distance

Distance

Run (trails, track & treadmill)

1751.0 km

1512.6 km

2100.2 km

Bike (Road & trainer)

472.4 km

1527.9 km

2122 km

Swim (Pool & open-water)

41475.0 m

28775.0 m

65118.4 m

I pretty much kicked my own ass this year. On top of what you see above, I also spent 81:20 doing resistance training and another 20-ish hours doing various other cardio activities (tennis & hockey). I lost approximately 15 lbs, dropped 2 pants sizes and put on a noticeable amount of lean muscle. Not bad for a (nearly) 40-year-old chump with a funky ticker.

2010 Races:
Maui Oceanfront Marathon – Jan 24th
Edmonton Hypothermic Half Marathon – Feb 28th
Vancouver Marathon (on-course coach) – May 2nd
Seattle Rock & Roll Marathon – June 26th
Tour de L’Alberta – July 25th
St.Albert Starrt Triathlon – Aug 8th
Alberta Challenge Olympic Triathlon – Aug 22nd
San Francisco Nike Women’s Marathon (on-course coach) – Oct 17th
New York ING Marathon – Nov 7th

2011 Races (subject to change):
Edmonton Hypothermic Half Marathon – Feb 13th
Goodlife Fitness Toronto Marathon – May 15th
Ottawa Marathon (on-course coach) – May 29th
San Diego Marathon (on-course coach) – June 5th
Great White North Half-Ironman – July 3rd
Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon – Oct 9th

I have my sights set on qualifying for the Boston Marathon this year. I ran a 3:50:51 in NYC and I need to do better than 3:20:59 to qualify. This may be a lofty goal but I think I can at least get close. I’m going to try anyway.

So, here’s to 2011 being even faster, stronger, healthier, leaner and even more fun than 2010 was. Woohoo!