Today I returned to one of my favorite spots on the planet.
My goal was an easy 20 or so miles on the bike before taking a rest day tomorrow.
The race kicks off at 6:30 Saturday morning and I hope to arrive at the starting line fresh and fit.
Fitness is such a moving target. It's a combination of many things -- age, temperament, self-discipline, and natural ability. The older you get, the more you have to be a tortoise rather than a hare. Fitness also requires you to make a long-term commitment to eating as clean as you can. I hope Mexican counts, because that's what I had after today's bike.
You know me: I would love to run every day. But that's just not very wise. However, by combining biking and running I can (hopefully) avoid serious injury.
The half marathon can be a brutal distance even when you've trained for it. I usually run the entire 13.1 miles except for when I walk through the aid stations and refill my water bottles. If you go out too fast, however, you end up walking to the aid stations instead of just walking through them. During a race, your body has to gradually adjust to the new physical strain it's now experiencing. The key word is slow. Ease into your run. Don't start out at a sprint. Take short strides with quick foot turnover. Keep your arms close to your side. Don't lean too far forward.
Reduced to its essence, running is all about having fun. There is something pure and beautiful about the sport. Each year, several hundred thousand Americans participate in a half marathon. Being part of a movement like this makes returning to fitness all the more meaningful and enjoyable,