Preparing for the half marathon

Because life is about trying new things, I've undertaken the task of running not one but two half marathons in 2 consecutive weeks, one in Kuurne and one in Oostende.

Now, the 'serious' runner is going to scoff at this and boast that he or she once ran 4 marathons in 4 days or similar. Fair enough, but keep in mind that running is but one aspect of my life. Between a fulltime job, a girlfriend, a busy social life, other sports and the horrid Belgian weather, I count myself lucky to get 2-3 solid running sessions in one week (and that's counting weekends!). So maybe 2 1/2 marathons are not that trivial after all.

Having said that, I'm fairly sure I can do it, I've been training quite dilligently (for my doing anyway ;) and have succeeded in varying my training load as well, alternating long distance runs (10k, 15k) with interval runs (speed work). I'm hoping the combination of the two will give me good endurance and some decent speed as well. Because, since we're a bit ambitious as well, just finishing them is not enough, secretly I'd like to come in under 2 hours as well. A feat which is not impossible, but will require a good deal of concentration and (especially) enough discipline not to go running off like a madman from the start, and paying the price later.

We'll see in the next two weeks.

(Also if I don't update in the next 3 weeks, call an ambulance pls :).

Run Run!

Finally managed to get myself running again tonight.

http://runkeeper.com/user/polkadragon/activity/52339199

Slow eh? Now keep in mind, it was an interval training. Which means you run for a certain period at maximum capacity, and then follow that up with a slow period to recover. Then fast again, then slow again. Rince, repeat.

In my case it was:
5 minute warmup slow-ish
1 minute fast
1 minute slow
(repeat 10x)
5 minute cooldown slow-ish

I can assure you that by the third fast bout, you feel like dying, that one fast minute feels like half an hour and that slow minute whizzes by!
The general idea is that interval training improves your aerobic capacity (increasing your speed), the high intensity intervals are supposed to boost your metabolism.

For sure, my metabolism is telling me something now. Although it might be "call the hospital", not entirely sure.