Even though I didn't do it as fast as I'd wanted to, I did it.
On a lovely London Sunday in October I made my way around, with much less problems than I thought I would have, 13.1 miles through the Hyde, Green and St.James' Parks, plus a short venture out on the Strand and Westminister Bridge in 2 hours 16minutes and 32 seconds.
I'd hoped for a sub 2.15, but considering this was my first half marathon ever, and that my training hadn't gone as well as I'd hoped the last 4-6 weeks before the race, I'm still pleased.
What I'm not entirely pleased about is that my weight hasn't shifted the way I'd wanted it too.
Clearly I'm much fitter than I was when I started, but instead of being on the southern side of 14 stone, I'm just below 15. Admittedly a 10 day holiday to the US a month before the race did not help (as US visits rarely do), but should still be in better shape.
So, to avoid the post race sloth-like existence, I have set the following goals:
- Slightly modify my food intake: Less processed carbs, bring lunch to work and try to eat more healthy snacks throughout the day instead of the 3 larger meals.
- Sleep more: My Achilles heel. I sleep entirely too little, sometimes as little as 4 hours per night. With the MLB playoffs over (at least for my Red Sox), it should be easier to attain. No later than 1am on work nights!
- Create goals: I am now signed up for a 10k at the end of October, one more in November and a 6k race in December. I hope to find a few more races which should force me to maintain a decent running regime.
- Start preparing for team sports: I will start my baseball pre-season in a few weeks, working my core and hopefully strengthening my throwing arm to new heights.
Although the race is over, my path to fitness continues.
