how about a check-in?

[ilanarama]

We haven't done a check-in post for a while, and (at least here) it's midsummer and the running is lovely (provided you get out early in the morning)!

How's your running going? Got any races coming up? Any accomplishments you want to brag about? Comment here with yours, and compliment others on theirs!

Comments

[semielliptical]

It's hotter and more humid than I would like most days (even in the morning) but my goal is to plan around it by doing longer or hillier runs on the slightly cooler days. I've realized that it also helps NOT to think about how much I hate the hot weather while running.

I ran a 5K race in mid-May, where I was disappointed that I only improved my time by about 10 seconds (to 30:30) - my goal has been to get under 30 minutes. Then I signed up for another 5K at the beginning of June, and surprised myself by finishing in 28:30. So I was pretty happy about that!

Now I'm contemplating signing up for my first half-marathon in the fall, probably early November. I had a fun time with my first 10K this spring, and in some ways I feel that it would be smarter to do another race of around that distance before committing to a half marathon. But I want to try running longer distances, and I think I will only end up doing that if I decide to run a longer distance race.

[ilanarama]

Yeah, I'm really glad I live in a decent climate where as long as I get moving early the heat's not bad, and it's never that humid here. Humidity is the worst, for me!

I don't think running a half without a 10K along the way should be a problem. Just run more, maybe use a training program - there are plenty out there - and you should be fine.

Congratulations on the improvement in your 5K!

[semielliptical]

Thanks! I was happy to see that running more and working harder actually produced a better race result.

[via_ostiense]

Humidity sucks, but long, hilly runs are great. Do you get good views from your hills?

I ran my first half a few years ago without having done any race longer than a 5K, and it was fine. You just have to make sure you're training appropriately; although I didn't do any 10K races prior to the half, my daily runs were about that length.

[semielliptical]

Unfortunately I live in a fairly flat area, the best hill nearby is in a park in the next town over, so I don't get over there very often. It does have a nice view of the nearby river, though!

Thanks for your encouragement on running a half marathon! You're right that the training is more important, not other races.