One City (Half) Marathon Training Wk 1

PLANNED MILES: Who cares

COMPLETED MILES: I dunno

Like Missy Elliot once said (sometimes) you gotta flip and reverse it.

In last week’s “training” update, I mentioned that I was having a lot of trouble finding my WHY in regard to training for the One City Marathon.

I have to give a shout-out to my readers who provided some great advice about losing and (more important) rebuilding one’s motivation for running and taking much-needed breaks from running when life hits you hard. In terms of my decision to run or defer, most folks recommended going the deferral route. From that advice, I decided to take the best of both worlds. Instead of running the full marathon, I’ve decided to change my registration from the full to the half marathon for the following reasons:

will still have a running goal for the spring:

I can be pretty hard on myself whenever I cancel half or full marathons for reasons other than injury. Changing my registration option will still give me something to look forward to in March. Hey, running something (13.1 miles) is better than running nothing.

Low-hanging fruit:

Having worked in Higher Education with a focus on DEI for the past five years, I kind of have grown to hate this term, but I think it’s fitting here. Although my training motivation for the full marathon has been kind of low, I have been doing “longish” weekend runs ranging from 8 to 12 miles. Ok, I haven’t done a long run in two weeks, but the distance is still there . . . somewhere. Since I’m already (more or less) at the half marathon distance, I can use this month and a half to focus a bit more on speedwork and strength training. Oh, I’m gonna add really getting on with a nutrition plan. Part of my reduced motivation has occurred because I have gained some weight over the past few months. Simply put, this weight gain does not make me feel like a runner.

It was cheap:

Changing my registration was only 20 bucks. I would have preferred a freebie since I’m going from a higher distance to a lower distance, but I think those days are long gone.

Concluding thoughts:

Even after changing my registration option and writing about it, it feels like a HUGE weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. While I’m not a huge fan of quitting (one of the reasons why grad school became a hot mess for me), I guess sometimes you have to take a few steps back to move forward.

One other thing. In these parts, the Shamrock Marathon and Half Marathon are super popular. I wonder if it would be crazy to register for the Shamrock (technically Anthem) Half Marathon which is a couple of weeks after the One City (Half) Marathon? Would running two half marathons in one month count as running one full marathon?

TRAINING PLAN:

Goals for the week:

-Simple, start running!

-Come up with a 1.5-month training plan for my upcoming half marathon.

-Up my intermittent and nutrition game. For the last couple of weeks, I have been fasting for 14hrs, I guess I crank it up a little and start my 16hr fasts.

-Find a race to volunteer for. I loved this suggestion that was made by one of my readers. I will admit volunteering to hand out bibs for one NYC Marathon made me that much more excited to run it the following year.

-Update my Spotify running playlists.

Long Run Playlist:

One City Marathon Training Wk “1”

PLANNED MILES: WHO CARES?

COMPLETED MILES: I DUNNO

Technically this is not week 1, but I have no idea where I am in my training cycle.

To be perfectly honest, I have no idea what I’m doing (or where I’m going) for this marathon. Because of what life has been throwing at me since moving to Virginia, I guess it was not a great idea to sign up for another marathon. My training has been pretty nonexistent over the past few weeks. While I have been completing runs here and there, I have not been consistent at all. At this point, I think the maximum distance for a run has been 12 miles during this training cycle.

Folks might remember that this marathon was supposed to be my redemption marathon after my poor performance running NYC Marathon. At this point, One City Marathon might take that crown.

Now, I’m at a loss about what to do:

• Do I call it a wash, cancel my registration, and plan for another marathon later in the year once things settle down?

• Do I continue to train and hope for the best?

I kind of want to continue to train, but I’m not sure if my ego can handle running another 5+ hr (well 5.5+ hr) marathon. While I have completed several marathons, I simply do not know how to get back to my training. Unfortunately, I just have not been able to find a decent groove for my running.

LONG RUN CHRONICLES:

N/A

TRAINING PLAN:

Training Plan:

Image from Hal Higdon Training (Link ***)

Goals for the week:

-Simple, start running!

-Really figure out a running, healthier eating, and fitness schedule.

Long Run Playlist:

Random Thoughts – Running Topics

Preface:

After running (pun intended) this blog for a few years, sometimes it is a bit tough to come up with topics to write about. Fortunately for me, Sara Kurth has published a massive list of potential blog topics that focuses on running (check out her blog here, ***).

WRITE ABOUT YOUR MOST FREQUENT REASONS FOR PROCRASTINATION OR COMMON EXCUSES FOR NOT RUNNING OR EATING RIGHT. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO OVERCOME THOSE EXCUSES?

After completing J&A Racing’s Chartway Norfolk Harbor Half Marathon, I guess that I have reached the end of my racing/training season.

I am a bit hesitant to say the end because I might randomly register for another race before the end of 2022. Since I’m pretty much at the end of my racing (well, running season), I thought this might be a great topic to buy some time.

I will admit that over the past two years, my running performance drastically has gone into the sh*tter. Especially when one sees that it took me 6+ hours to complete this year’s NYC Marathon. Yes, I know that it was hot as hell in NYC for the 1st Sunday in November, but it still was a crappy performance. Going forward, I really have to do some soul-searching to figure out how to improve during 2023 and beyond. Although I mentioned that I’ve reached the end of my racing/training season, my break will be short-lived. Why? I’ve already registered for the Newport News One City Marathon on March 4, 2023, and my training for this will begin on Dec. 1.

While this blog topic is great, my problem is not making the appropriate changes to become a better runner . . . or healthier in general. So I’ll try to list my reasons for not running or eating right and some of the things I hope to incorporate in correcting these issues.

Problem: Not waking up early enough to do my near-daily runs. The actual problem, staying up very late and watching crappy TV. I think that I’m just wired to stay up late. For as long as I can remember, I’ve never gone to bed before 11 pm . . . unless I was absolutely exhausted or had too many bottomless brunch cocktails.

Anticipated solution (in progress): I’ve already set various alarms to develop a weeknight schedule, which includes setting out workout clothes for the next morning, evening stretches, and getting to bed.

Problem: Lack of motivation for my runs

Anticipated solution: I have mentioned doing this in the past, but I would like to become more involved in the local running community. With this charge, I want to check out a few running groups during the months of December and January. The local November Project Va Beach had a RUNGO challenge over the summer. So I figure that this Rungo card will be a starting place to find (and maybe join) some running groups in the area. My only concern is that I’m more of a morning runner so I might have to go outside of my comfort zone for some of these running groups.

Problem: Overeating. Recently, I have been eating way too large portions. I’m not sure why, but I always seem to be in starvation mode . . . even when I’m not hungry or starving. I think part of this is due to being more sedentary in Virginia. Although I was overeating while living in NYC, I still had to walk to my destinations and/or to public transportation.

Anticipated solution: Starting tomorrow, I’m going to jump back on the intermittent fasting wagon by working my way from 12- to 16-hour fasting windows. Also, I am planning to start another cycle of Beachbody’s 21-day Fix.

This is a portion control eating plan where your portions are determined by your calorie requirements and if you want to lose, maintain, or gain weight. While this plan is not rocket science, the idea is to prepare your meals, avoid eating crap food, and obtain a wide range of nutrients.

Problem: Overeating, part 2. Or, rather, overdrinking. It’s no secret that I love a gin cocktail or 10. While I do not see myself as a complete lush who needs to take a seat in a local AA meeting, I do recognize that I tend to eat horribly when I drink.

Anticipated solution: I guess this could extend my food fast to booze. I’ve already come up with a short-term solution of not drinking for the rest of the week (in my defense I started this fast on Sunday). I will admit that since living in Va (and ultimately having to drive every day), I have not been drinking as much as I was in NYC. However, I still would like to reduce my booze intake. Wait, maybe I should do this AFTER the holidays because I do love spiked egg nog. One plan that I’m thinking about is having two glasses of water between my adult beverages. While I’ll enjoy a nice adult beverage or 10, I HATE the feeling of being ‘liquidity’, ie having my stomach feel like someone is transporting a large tank of water.

Problem: Late-night snacking (wow three eating/drinking issues in a row).

Anticipated solution: Prepare healthy late-night snacks and always have a bottle of seltzer water sitting ready.

Ok, all of these eating and snacking ‘problems’ are becoming problematic.

Problem: Becoming quickly disappointed with the lack of results.

Anticipated solution: I’ll need some help with this one

Problem: Boredom with running

Anticipated solution: Back when I started running, I would look forward to upcoming runs and races. Now, it’s becoming a bit more like a choice. For instance, let me do this 10 mile run so I can run this marathon in 3 months. While I have been doing various Beachbody on Demand HIIT programs to supplement my running, I still feel a sense of boredom with these workouts. Actually, I think it’s a combination of boredom and not seeing results, which probably is closely related to my crappy sleeping, eating, and boozing habits. This actually becomes a vicious cycle for me. Work out a lot -> Do not see any significant results -> Eat like an animal because what’s the point. . . Rinse and repeat. Going forward I would like to add swimming, biking, weight training, and my Beachbody stuff to my running regimen. Not, I’m not planning on doing all of these every day (or even every week). Perhaps, I can switch out swimming, biking, and weight training depending on the week.

Problem with the above anticipated solution: Doing too much at once and not getting anywhere.

Problem: General ignorance. I dunno why but before the pandemic, I used to read several resources about running and listen to various health-focused podcasts.

Anticipated solution: Easy one. Read more and stop listening to dumb podcasts about reality TV shows.

Like Konstrakta (Eurovision 2022 Serbian contestant) said in her song In Corpore Sano

Race Report: Chartway Norfolk Harbor Half Marathon

DATE: NOVEMBER 20, 2022; 7:30 AM

DISTANCE: 13.1 MI

PLACE: NORFOLK, VA

WEATHER: 37F, WINDY AF

OFFICIAL TIME / PACE: 2:27:12 / 11:15 MIN/MI

SWAG: COZY SWEATSHIRT, MEDAL, 4 BEERS, PIZZA & TOTE BAG

While I can be a bit of a hater, I will say that I thought J&A Racing did an AMAZING job organizing and running this race. Honestly, I cannot say a single thing that I had a problem with for this half marathon.

Expo:

I’ll admit that I have been someone affected (not sure if this is a good or bad thing) by running races in NYC that have been organized by large entities. I enjoyed the low-key vibe of the expo because bib pick-up was a complete breeze (ie there were not 80 thousand people crammed in one space). I think that I was in and out in about 5 minutes. Normally, I do not buy extras at expos because the prices typically are sky-high, but the prices at this expo were very reasonable. So reasonable that I even picked up a pair of running gloves that were only $10. Thinking back, I’m glad that I purchased those gloves because it was quite chilly on race day.

Since registration for the half marathon included FOUR Blue Moon beers or White Claw Hard Seltzer (yuck), we issued wristbands during bib pickup. Note, I picked up my bib on Friday for a Sunday race. Do you mean to tell me that I have to wear a wristband that implies that I’ve been out clubbing or raving for the entire weekend?

Case in point: On Saturday morning, I grabbed breakfast at a local diner, and the waitress mentioned that I must have had a ‘fun’ night as she gestured to my bright blue wristband. Hey, at least this race’s wristbands were for REAL beer as opposed to nonalcoholic beer that was provided for Rock n Roll Va Beach’s Half Marathon. Not that there is anything wrong with nonalcoholic beer, but it was kind of funny receiving a wristband to indicate that I was older than 21 for “beer” that probably contains less alcohol than vinegar or apple juice.

Let’s get into the half marathon:

Do you know what’s funny? I was complaining about the cold 37F temperature, but I had to check myself. Why? While living in NYC, I have run races in temperatures WELL below freezing. I think living in suburbia has made me a bit ‘weaker’ when it comes to cold temperatures. Actually, I take that back. I think the issue is when I drive the temperature inside my car has to be drastically opposite to the temperatures outside.

-In the summer, my car’s interior temperature has to be the same as the North Pole.

-In the winter, the car’s interior temperature will be about 5 degrees above HELL.

By the time arrived in downtown Norfolk from Va Beach (about a 20 min drive), I was nice and cozy. Whereas in my NYC days, I would have to leave the cozy apt and brave the elements by walking to the subway, taking the subway, and walking to the location of the race.

Not sure if this is snow or snot.

Going into the half marathon, I pretty much was planning on doing the very bare minimum. I had this attitude for a few reasons: 1. I still had a bit of a back injury from NYC Marathon. 2. Honestly, running just has not been doing it for me later (more on that later). 3. I was dealing with a little GI issue. 4. I was not really prepared physically for this race.

The course:

Overall, the course was pretty easy and flat. The only real difficulty with the course was the random gusts of winds from the harbor . . . especially at the beginning. I know that some folks do not like this, but I love courses that have several twists and turns.

I mean this course took us all through Norfolk, and it seemed like every new twist and turn opened up new scenery. I think switching up the scenery allows me to mentally reset every few miles or so. I LOL’d to myself because this course had me like Tommy Lee Jones’s character from The Fugitive because it seemed like we were running past every gas station, outhouse, henhouse, doghouse, crackhouse, train house, and warehouse.

The only thing I did not like about the course was having to run alongside traffic for certain parts of the course, but it was not too bad. I wanted to take a few pics while running, but the $10 dollar gloves made it a bit difficult. Actually, I guess that’s not a bad thing because I spent my time focusing on running and not taking pictures every 10 minutes.

First 10K:

Perhaps, running in a new location changed my attitude because I felt like an explorer running a new course. Originally, I was planning on alternating between running 0.75 mi and walking 0.25 mi. However, within the 1st mile, I was like why not run 0.9mi then walk 0.1mi for the first three miles at least. Next thing I know, I was still doing this for the entirety of the race . . . and it felt good. I will admit that had some back pain during the first 3 miles, but I think the walking helped me recuperate for a bit.

Second 10 + 1K:

After parting with the 10K runners, boy did the field get really small. I guess most of the runners (as one might expect) signed up for the 10K. While things were quieter, I think this is where I really started to get into my groove. Perhaps, it was an illogical fear of being left behind since I had no clue where the hell I was. I guess it worked because according to my splits, I ran the second half faster than the first, which has not happened in a VERY LONG time. I had to LOL again because the “race” was sending me texts while I was running.

I’m so glad that I listened to the advice of one of the J&A organizers from the expo regarding the finish.

She told me after Mile 11 not to let the ‘fake’ finish fool me. After Mile 11.5, which was near the start, there was a lot of commotion and cheers, BUT you still have to run some more and make another loop to the finish line. The commotion was not for the finishers approaching Town Point Park, but it was from people at the post-race party. I’m so glad I listened to her because I was have been really frustrated and annoyed from Miles 11 to 13.1. Yes, we all have GPS devices, but this was my first time running this race . . . and to be perfectly honest, I did not really study the course. All I knew was the race started and ended at Town Point Park, BUT I didn’t know that you had to run past Town Point Park two times for the finish.

After-Party:

We’re done and now it’s time for fun. I think this event was the longest that I stayed at a race’s after-party. I have a feeling that was because of the four Blue Moon beers (and pizza) that the half-marathon participants received.

Random, I absolutely LOVED our finisher sweatshirt because it is soooo cozy.

Concluding Thoughts:

Going into to this race, I was planning for this one to be my last race until March. Also, I was planning on taking a few weeks off from running as a means to miss it. I don't the great organization of the race, the course, and general camaraderie re-ignited by my passion for running and becoming a better runner. We'll see if this sentiment will disappear over the next couple of days/weeks. ;)

Playlist:

I just went with my random Eurovision playlist because it was too cold to fiddle with Spotify right before starting.