Week 8 half marathon training

Week 8


Plan miles:  20 miles running plus some cross/strength training
Actual miles:  20.09 miles in 3:27:41 and 30 minutes of cross training (9.1 miles on the bicycle)


This week I got some good runs in.  First, I met up with a running group and ran downtown, Pittsburgh.  Those miles just flew by and I was faster than I am even when I run with Colleen.  Which was really surprising.  


Another day the weather was beautiful so I just had to run around my neighborhood and enjoy the weather.


My long run was at North Park, and I did make it 8 miles.  Poor Colleen though- her knee is hurting and we did the whole thing in intervals.  I wasn't thinking.  I figured if we did intervals and took it easy, it would be better for her.  But starting and stopping running can really tear up your knees.  And from what I hear she's really hurting now.  She wrote about our run here.

Finishing the 8 mile run.  I didn't realize Colleen was taking pictures.  (Photo credit: Colleen)

Finally, we went to Hershey overnight this weekend (mostly to go to Troeg's Brewery) and I got a run in around Hershey.  I'm getting used to running with other people but this one was by myself.  I saw 3 other runners and 2 bikers, circled the high school and looked at their track, soccer field, etc.  And on the way back to the hotel a cop was parked along the side of the road watching traffic.  He might have thought I was crazy- I started circling around parking lots because I wanted to get 5 miles in.


After retiring the teal shoes, that was definitely causing my knee issues.  I had no problems on the 8 mile run or any of the other runs this week.  I think I will probably be out shopping for another "backup" pair soon.  I kind of want to get fitted again just because now I'm more comfortable with running in general and think I'll have a better feel for what will feel good.  Not that my current shoes don't work but I want to try others.  I also have a feeling my shoes have been discontinued- I got the second pair pretty cheap and they only have weird sizes available now.


Next week my minimum runs (other than where I can choose either cross training or running) are 5 miles.  This will be painful if I end up on the treadmill at all!


Mileage on shoes

Teal: 362.8 miles (retired)
Purple: 51.9 miles

After the 8 mile run.  Photo credit: Colleen