If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you already know: I signed up for my first half-marathon. Definitely much sooner than I expected. Cue the panic.
I mean, I kinda knew in the back of my mind that this was coming, but I somehow anticipated that Susi and I – after running the 10k last fall – might sign up for the Berkeley half-marathon (this time for the half-marathon route!) in November. Instead, we upped the game and signed up for the San Francisco half-marathon instead.
That’s in July. Three months away.
I really had no choice in the matter. Susi signed up and said that she wouldn’t do it without me, so really, I should blame her. Lovingly, of course, because I am up for the challenge. What can I say, I actually like having a (training) goal. It makes me want to stick to my running routine more than just “keeping it up” for the sake of exercise. And it’s nice to have something to look forward to and work towards (even if with deep respect) .
Hey, and at least, the run will be pretty. I mean, is there any more scenic city than San Francisco? Thanks goodness, we won’t be running the extremely steep hills. The race course + elevation profile looks pretty manageable (fingers crossed!) and I think we can count on reasonable temperatures even though it’ll be July. You see, I am trying to pep-talk myself.
In case you don’t remember, a half-marathon is 21.1 km (13.1 miles). Cough. I never ever, ever thought I would voluntarily sign up to run this many miles in one swoop. I have always been more of a team athlete and just running for the sake of running was never my thing, but I guess, people change and I have come to love getting in some mileage. It’s a nice way to clear your mind, listen to music + podcasts, and just shake off the daily grind. Believe me, I am as surprised as the next person, that you can really get into a kind of “running groove”, where you don’t even think twice about lacing up your shoes and getting out there door. (Oh wait, is what they call “forming a habit”? Well, it is a real thing. I can attest to that.)
I am 4 weeks into my half marathon training now and I am (mostly) enjoying the longer runs (think 1+ hours). I am using the Runtastic HM training plan for 3 runs per week (which is what I’ve been doing anyway and which is doable with my work schedule) over the course of 16 weeks and the plan finishes just before the race, which works out really well.
I am just a tad worried about the temperatures in the coming months, as Sacramento will be scorching hot again in no time, but I am thinking that I can just go to the gym and run on the treadmill if it gets unbearable outside. I should get some cross-training in anyway, so going back to the gym seems like a good idea in general, and I mentioned that I also wanted to go back to yoga class (I love the yoga instructor at my gym!) which could be part of that.
Bottom line is: I’ll keep running. And that is a good thing.
Kendra d
May 6, 2016 at 11:34 amHooray for running a half marathon! Good luck with the training!
san
May 10, 2016 at 7:47 pmThanks, fellow runner friend :)
Feisty Harriet
May 6, 2016 at 3:01 pmWhoop!! This is so awesome!!
I am SURE SF won’t be too hot during the actual race. There is a pretty famous quote from Mark Twain about the coldest winter he ever experienced being a summer in San Francisco. Now, this is not Oakland, which is hot hot, but SF is so smothered in fog it stays relatively cool there most of the time.
The training part? Well, this is what the gym was invented for, right? Plug in your earphones and go, in the bliss of an air conditioned space. :)
xox
san
May 10, 2016 at 7:48 pmThanks friend! I am excited and running in SF will be awesome… and yes, Mark Twain is right. SF is coldest in the summer months LOL
Lisa of Lisa's Yarns
May 6, 2016 at 3:23 pmIf it makes you feel any better, when I signed up to run a 1/2 marathon, the longest race I’d done was a 5k! So the fact that you’ve done a 10k means you are already slightly more prepared than I was! I think you will do great. You’ve got plenty of time to train. The heat will be challenging to run in, but it will make you a stronger runner and you (hopefully) won’t have to deal with hot temps on race day as SF seems to be a bit cooler in the summer. I hope you had a great training experience and great first half! It’s definitely my favorite distance to race!
san
May 10, 2016 at 7:49 pmThanks for your support, Lisa. I appreciate your insight esp. because you’re such an experienced runner!
Cait
May 7, 2016 at 1:38 pmWoo! That’s exciting! Good luck with your training. :)
san
May 10, 2016 at 7:49 pmThanks Cait, I appreciate that.
Jenny
May 8, 2016 at 4:10 pmYay exciting! What a fun place to run your first half marathon too :) You’ve reminded me that I have that goal too and that my race is in September :S So how does one get that out the door on autopilot part exactly? ;) Best of luck with your training – keep posting so I can piggy back on your motivation!
san
May 10, 2016 at 7:50 pmOh, so awesome you’re training for a half, too. Good luck with your training! Let’s cheer each other on!
Tanja
May 9, 2016 at 7:22 amI’m so impressed – no seriously, you know how I feel about running. Oh well, I keep going myself but don’t think I will ever do more than a 5k…..
good luck and keep the great work up – you inspire me!
san
May 10, 2016 at 7:50 pmYou’re too kind. For what it’s worth, you’re my inspiration too… you’re so dedicated with your boot camp workouts! Thumbs up!!
Stephany
May 9, 2016 at 10:08 amGood luck on your training – I hope you’ll let us know how it’s going. I have no doubt you’ll do great!
san
May 10, 2016 at 7:50 pmThanks so much, Stephany. I appreciate that so much.
Marie
May 16, 2016 at 11:11 amOh you can TOTALLY do this! I have zero doubts! I have complete faith in you. :) Hope the weather cooperates too!