Week 15: Fourteen miles

3:49 hours, 1:2 minute run/walk ratio

The day got off to somewhat of a bad start, as I woke up at 2:30 am and couldn't get back to sleep. I'd been intending to get up at 5, but since I was still awake at 4:15, I decided to bag it and get up. I felt okay, though, except for a slightly wonky stomach, and at least I had plenty of time to get ready! I left the house around 6:20, and got to the park just as the sun was rising.

It was pretty cold at 7 am, and I wore my running hoodie at first, but was warmed up enough to toss it into the truck after three miles. Most of the run was very pleasant, sunny but cool. By the last few miles, it was starting to get hot, but nowhere near as hot as it's been. I kept up a good pace the whole way and never got too tired. The bathrooms were locked again—I stopped at 10 miles to check, and to refill my water bottle from extra bottles I'd brought with me in the truck. That kind of sucked, but fortunately I wasn't desperate. It would have been nice to take a break, but I finished okay without one.

I had a couple of GUs left over from the last marathon, so I took an Espresso Blast flavored one along with me today and ate it after my aborted break. I think it really helped. I haven't used any GUs or other sport gels or drinks this time, but I think I'll take one or two along with me for the half marathon, just for a boost near the end. I have only one left, but I'm sure I'll be able to pick up some more at the Expo before the race.

My time at mile 13 was 3:34, so, figuring another couple of minutes for the extra one-tenth of a mile, my half-marathon time would have been about 3:36. Still short of the 3:30 I'll need for San Francisco, but not bad. I think it's completely doable to shave another six minutes off my time in another nine months or so.

My WearYourNumber shirt is supposed to have been shipped, so I should be getting it soon! Yay!

Only two weeks to go!