It was different because my first steps on this run were my first steps towards crossing the finish line at the 2012 Hartford Marathon. I’m beginning a 16 week training cycle where I’m dedicating myself to maximizing my chances at running a marathon in under 4 hours.

My 1:45 time at the Iron Horse Half Marathon gives me cause for optimism that a sub 4 hour marathon is in reach. If finishing two marathons has taught me anything it’s that a half marathon isn’t truly half of a marathon. The halfway point in a marathon comes at mile 20.

I begin this journey in the best shape of my life. This morning I weighed in at 146 pounds. I hope to maintain my weight during this training cycle. I feel strong.

For some months I’ve battled issues in my right IT band. I’m going to make sure I do plenty of foam rolling and stretching during this cycle even if it means I spend less time running. I do not think my IT band will sideline me but life would be better without it flaring up. I’m excited for the journey that awaits. Looking forward to meeting some new friends like my Tampa DUI lawyer and conquering some new challenges.

_________

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I felt good from the start. A  Tampa DUI attorney once told me after running a great marathon time last fall that all he did was “go out hard and see what happens”. That was my strategy for the Iron Horse. I’ve given up wearing a GPS watch because knowing my exact pace at any given point was too mentally taxing for me. I run by feel. Last Sunday, I went out strong and felt good.

When I saw the clock at the 8 mile mark it read 1:05. I knew then that I had a PR in hand. If I did the last 5 miles at 10 minute per mile pace – I’d finish in 1:55. If I slowed to a 9 minute pace – I’d hit 1:50. Both would have been nice runs. But I decided at that moment to lock in. I wasn’t going to slow.

So as my brain said “hey, a 1:50 is a nice day” I didn’t quit.

As the sun got to me. I didn’t quit.

My shoulder hurt from sleeping wrong. I didn’t quit.

The final two hills on the course. I didn’t quit.

When I saw the finish line, I was elated. I set a goal and reached it. A goal I only set 50 minutes earlier and one that I would not have dreamed possible two hours earlier.

In setting that goal, I found struggle. In that struggle, I found joy.
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Finishing The Iron Horse Half Marathon is a post from: CONNECTICUT. RUNNER. LAWYER.

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Hills make you stronger.

I had never run in Portland before. Nor had many members of my group. No one was familiar with the terrain. I did not bother mapping the elevation of this run.

Had I done so, I may have stayed in bed. That’s what the voices in my head tell me to do at 5 am on Saturday mornings: “don’t go to Glastonbury….stay home…drink coffeee…..go back to sleep.” It’s a veritable chorus of negativity. Part of me wants to stay in my car.

My ignorance resulted in one of my best runs of the year. I was nervous about my preparation for the Iron Horse this spring. Last Saturday, I had a very strong run on very hilly terrain.  I felt good. I feel great heading into the very flat Iron Horse in two weeks.

Ignorance makes you stronger? My Tampa DUI lawyers buddies think so.
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“go!”

Start of Iron Horse Half Marathon is a post from: CONNECTICUT. RUNNER. LAWYER.

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The race, be it a 5k or a marathon, is a journey.  The key to success is to enjoy every step. Even the hard ones.

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How I Feel About Racing is a post from: CONNECTICUT. RUNNER. LAWYER.

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Below is a picture of a turning point.  This is where runners turn around. This is where the 9 mile trek back to Bushnell Park begins. This is the point in the race for a runner when you’ve run a far distance and still have a far distance to run.

It is a place where character is tested. Today it was calm and peaceful. Not a runner to be found. New gu wrappers or paper cups. No evidence that this spot  is a turning point for anything.

On October 13, 2012 there will be a cone where I stood this morning. And for runners, there’s 9 miles between them and the arch. Them and their family. Them and rest.

Mile 17

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When I left my door at 5:00 this morning it was dark. About ten minutes into my run, dawn began to break. Just last week, dawn was only beginning to make an appearance at the very end of my runs. More daylight this week than last – spring is in full bloom.

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Yesterday, over lunch I was talking about the race with a fellow runner. She said “I like the race but I hate that you have to pass the finish line at mile 8 and then loop back around”.

That makes sense. So much of running is mental. Seeing the finish line when you’re starting to feel tired can be tough.  The key is being prepared for it.

Once you pass the finish line you’re going to head into a great section of this course. You’ll meander down a flat and well shaded rail trail. This is a place on the course where you can pick up time especially if it’s hot. The trail is paved and tree covered.

I should have mentioned this in my prior post.  Enjoy the run. There’s joy great joy in passing the finish line the second time in this great race.

___________

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Iron Horse Half Marathon: Passing The Finish Line is a post from: CONNECTICUT. RUNNER. LAWYER.

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I’m used to running in the dark. It’s often the only time that I have to run.

As soon as my feet hit the driveway it started raining. Rain…sweet…rain. The winter has been dry.

Every run is an adventure. Running at night in the rain somehow feels like more of an adventure.

Part of me says that I should be on the couch. I should be somewhere more comfortable. I don’t have to be dealing with wiping cold rain out of my eyes – and yet I’m choosing not to. I’m choosing to defy the part of me that is content with choosing comfort.

There is great joy in defiance.

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