Last long run before my first half

Wednesday's run: 4.9 km, 36 mins 24 secs

Today's run: 18.75 km, 2 hrs 37 mins 27 secs


First week back at school this week after the holidays - and so finding the energy and strength of mind to go running midweek was pretty difficult! As you can see from the above, I only managed it once! On Wednesday I ran over to Mum and Dad's and had dinner with them, then Dad drove me home. It wasn't a fantastic run - my left shin was quite sore, and I just never felt very comfortable on that run. But at least I got one done.

As for this morning, I got up at about 6am for breakfast - since I'll have breakfast before my run on race day, I wanted to see how that went today. Following breakfast though, I fell asleep again for another hour or so whilst it digested! Once I woke up (again) and got myself and my gear together, off I went. It wasn't a bad run, but not wonderful either. Legs felt ok, and no shin tenderness - having said that I wondered whether I had more of a heel strike happening today? (Something to check out at a later date). Mentally I tried to think only about running to the next corner, running to the next traffic light etc, rather than thinking of the whole long way I would be going. I was able to do that alright today, but I didn't feel quite as energetic as last week.

I have some concerns about my time in the half. I should say that really my goal is to finish, but I think anyone would be lying if they said they didn't have a time in mind. My first time goal is 2 hrs 30 mins, and the secret second time goal is 2 hrs 20 mins. Neither of them are quick times, but it's such a long time to keep up a quicker pace that I'm starting to get a bit worried. Today I managed nearly 19 kms, but on the day I'll need to do 2 more kms, and even at 19kms it took me 2 hrs 40 mins roughly.

Perhaps it's the nerves starting... Two weeks of tapering, here I come!