First Official Half Marathon

Ran my first official half marathon today at the 33rd New Bedford Half Marathon. Finished in just under 1hr 45min (right at 8:00 min pace). I don't plan on keeping this pace for the marathon but it gives me hope to finish under 4 hours. This week of training was great. After the storm we had last week it was sunny and in the 60s to low 70s most of the week. The 19.5 run last Saturday in the rain was not too much fun, but good practice just in case the skies decide to open up for the marathon.

I'm looking to have a fundraising event at Brueggers in the Boston locations in late March or early April. More to follow once I get the actual dates.

1/2 Marathon Prep

This was a great week for training. Best weather we've had in a while for Boston. Today was pretty sweet, mid 40's to mid 50's for the 13.2 mile run. Ran the marathon route from Hopkinton to Wellesley. It's not the best route to run when the road isn't closed for runners. I'm interested to see what the BAA charity run will look like when hundreds of people are packed along Rte. 135. Better be careful.

It was good training for the New Bedford Half Marathon in a couple of weeks. If anyone's interested in running it the link is http://newbedfordhalfmarathon.com.

Was planning on having a fundraiser this Saturday but it's not looking so good. I'll post an update Monday night to confirm if we're still on. Please feel free to pass along the evite to get people in the door.

Charity Fundraising Event - 3/13/2010 at The Point

The Point in Boston has generously offered to host my fundraising event for the Boston Marathon.

Click on the post title or use below link to see the evite and respond.

http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?event=RJJVZPTUZTUUBUPBKZQV&inviteId=LHTWCPWNRBRFVXPMMLMP&showPreview=false&x=655497294

Date: 3/13/2010
Time: 7:00 - 10:00
Place: The Point - 147 Hanover Street, Boston, MA
Cost: $10 at the door

We will be raffling prizes including an autographed football by Matt Light of the New England Patriots.

Alice Cooper and I have something in common...

Finished this week with an 18 mile run along Rte 16 and Comm Ave again. Hence the Alice Cooper reference (click the post title for a good live version of the song). I should be setting up my fundraiser today, shooting for the week or two after St. Patty's Day. More to follow in my next post.

Slacker

I took off one day of running and shortened my training my 6 miles this week. Still got my long run of 17 miles in. Ran from Watertown (Rte 16) to Comm Ave and the Newton Hills. Went up the hills to the BC T stop then turned around and came back. Doing the Newton Hills forward and back is a great hill workout. This may be my regular route for long runs going forward. Got my pace down to 8:38/mile. Maybe I should take a day off more often. Off to the Sudnik's today for Ellie's 2nd bday party. Something tells me we'll be knee deep in Sesame Street.

BAA Charity Run - 17 Miler

Another good week of training. Finished the week today with a 17 mile run along the marathon route. Started at mile 9 and ran to the finish on Boylston Street. Thanks to all the volunteers who cheered us on and set up water stops. The Newton hills weren't too bad, though I hit them after only running 8 miles, not 17. I'll have to add those hills in my training more often. Kept my pace under 9 minute miles again. My goal of running the marathon under 4 hours seems to more attainable every week. Just have to keep logging the miles.

Saints Win.....WOW

Capped off another week of training by watching a great game tonight. Didn't expect the Saints to pull it off, good for them. This was the first week I ran over 30 miles and my long run today (15.6 miles) was under 9 min/mile pace for the first time. Starting to feel like the training is doing its job.