half marathon 2013 training update

Although I haven't been strict about sticking to my training schedule, I'd say this round of training has been the smoothest and most successful of all my half marathon trainings.  Here's why:

1.  I feel like I'm past the "I can do it" phase.  I know I can do it.  But I want to be better.  I'm pushing myself more this time around and it's proven to be really exciting that way.
2.  Cross training.  Who knew that if you actually did a little cross training it'd make for more successful runs?  I can tell my legs are stronger when I spend time each week doing a little Slim in 6 by Debbie Siebers (my cross training preference).
3.  My life is much more conducive to training this time around.  First time, I was doing suck-the-life-out-of-me job.  (AKA teaching 6A high school choir.  The kids were fun.  The job was c-r-a-z-y.)  Second time, I was pregnant while doing suck-the-life-out-of-me job and had a minor injury that caused me to forgo the race.  Third time, I was 2 months postpartum when I started training.  Breastfeeding, schedules, naps, piano lessons, life - running could barely fit in the routine.  Now, the fourth time, it's so much easier.  I'm not doing suck-the-life-out-of-me job, I'm not pregnant, I'm not postpartum, and I'm not breastfeeding.  It's a good feeling.

The most I've run at this point is 9.5 miles and I did that this past Saturday.  Here's the deal, guys.  I am not a natural athlete (as I mentioned in this post).  So when I say this next thing, know that it's not coming from an experienced runner who averages 7 minute miles.

My 9.5 mile run was amazing.

I was determined to run negative splits.  (Quick definition:  running the second half faster than the first half.)  So because I'm not a fast runner when it comes to long distances, this means I had to start slow.

I ran the first 4 miles in 47:30, which was pretty much a 12 minute mile pace.  Like I said, slow.  After 4 miles, I bumped it up a bit.  I ran the next 4 miles 5 minutes faster than the first 4.  It was happening!  After 6 miles, I felt like I was flying.  And I know it's because I had saved up my energy.  The average pace of my last few miles was about a 10:45 minute mile.

Slow and steady really does win the race.  I wanted to run negative splits because I wanted to see if it really was all it was cracked up to be.  Would I really be extra energized at the end?  Would I really be able to run faster?  Yes!  I finished 9.5 miles in 1:46:52. (Just for funnies, I looked back at how long it took me to run 9.5 miles the first time I ever trained in 2010.  It took 2 hours.  So I'm pleased with that improvement!)

I'm totally a believer and hopefully, I'll be able to continue this trend throughout the rest of my training and on race day.

With only a few weeks left, my plan is to do a 10 mile run and then possibly an 11 mile run.  After that, I'll start chilling out to prepare for the race.

I ran the 2010 half in 2:37:38 and the 2012 half in 2:36:48.  I'd love to have a little more than a 50 second difference between this upcoming half and my last one.  My goal is to finish in 2:25.  I realize that's chopping off a good chunk of time, (which is maybe unrealistic) but I'm going for it!