Exercise and Fitness

[RunningWise]

That helps a lot. (And can't wait to see your Valencia medal.)

I really want to see what time I can do, but not what time I am capable of. Rather, I intend to run easy and just hope to see my easy run times improve.

More than anything I want to have lots of experiences and not get injured. If I never break 5 hours but I get to go and have great experiences, that's the dream. So long as I cross the finish line before the cutoff and I get my medal, I'll be happy.

I should caveat all of this by saying I haven't yet run my first half. I might hate this.

Then my biggest advice is to just listen to your body. Everyone is different and as long as you aren’t pushing your limits you should be okay. I’d focus your efforts at time on your feet more than distance. Build up to where you can comfortably be out there for 90-120 minutes.

Also, take a rest day. If you aren’t feeling well, are tired, or anything like that skip the run. One run won’t make you lose fitness or ruin you hitting your goal but pushing it could cause you to hurt yourself or set you back weeks.

I feel like this is going to lead to a fun conversation on recovery and devices.

 

[FootyLovin]

Also, if you go with the Shokz style of headphones you can hear what is going on around you while also still hearing your music/podcast/audiobook.

I don’t run with anything but I’m also a psychopath.

I aspire to that level of psychopathy.

I have the new Apple AirPods. Their transparency mode (and noice cancelling mode) is tremendous. Fingers crossed. I think I'll be good to go.

 

[FootyLovin]

I feel like this is going to lead to a fun conversation on recovery and devices.

That and I also will want to know all about your marathon travel strategy.

 

[RunningWise]

That and I also will want to know all about your marathon travel strategy.

In the 2.5 years I’ve been running again the only “local” races I’ve done were the Jersey City Half Marathon and the New Haven Road Race. Otherwise it’s been traveling for events. For me at least, running a half marathon doesn’t destroy my legs so I’m still able to enjoy being a tourist afterwards. We’ll see how this marathon goes for me to tell you if it’s the same.

For any of those trips I like to get there a few days early if there is a large time difference. I got in on Wednesday for the Edinburgh Half marathon and that allowed me to adjust to an early morning race and enjoy myself in the city leading up to the event. This trip to Valencia is the same where I’m sitting on the plane right now to arrive Wednesday morning. I recommend no matter the distance traveling to get some compression socks. I’ll be wearing them both directions but they are so valuable on the trip home.

My preference is to try and get a hotel/AirBnB close to the start. As much as I hate a long trip back I hate even more having to work on a lot of logistics to get to a race. I want to show up relaxed.

Ok, so the worst part of traveling for a race is the amount of crap you have to bring. I checked my suitcase and one side is regular clothes/supplies and the other side is running clothes/supplies. It really does add to how much you have to pack. I also bought a theragun mini on sale a year ago and one of the travel size roller sticks for some light recovery. I’m flying back Monday so having that on Sunday afternoon/evening will be helpful.

I also try and do a trail running event once a year and that is a whole nother ballgame in what running crap you have to bring. I don’t want it to seem like I travel all the time but I do one trail and one race where I travel a year. I also don’t race often with only 2-3 a year. But I was focused on a nice slow build up of fitness.

 

[FootyLovin]

In the 2.5 years I’ve been running again the only “local” races I’ve done were the Jersey City Half Marathon and the New Haven Road Race. Otherwise it’s been traveling for events. For me at least, running a half marathon doesn’t destroy my legs so I’m still able to enjoy being a tourist afterwards. We’ll see how this marathon goes for me to tell you if it’s the same.

For any of those trips I like to get there a few days early if there is a large time difference. I got in on Wednesday for the Edinburgh Half marathon and that allowed me to adjust to an early morning race and enjoy myself in the city leading up to the event. This trip to Valencia is the same where I’m sitting on the plane right now to arrive Wednesday morning. I recommend no matter the distance traveling to get some compression socks. I’ll be wearing them both directions but they are so valuable on the trip home.

My preference is to try and get a hotel/AirBnB close to the start. As much as I hate a long trip back I hate even more having to work on a lot of logistics to get to a race. I want to show up relaxed.

Ok, so the worst part of traveling for a race is the amount of crap you have to bring. I checked my suitcase and one side is regular clothes/supplies and the other side is running clothes/supplies. It really does add to how much you have to pack. I also bought a theragun mini on sale a year ago and one of the travel size roller sticks for some light recovery. I’m flying back Monday so having that on Sunday afternoon/evening will be helpful.

I also try and do a trail running event once a year and that is a whole nother ballgame in what running crap you have to bring. I don’t want it to seem like I travel all the time but I do one trail and one race where I travel a year. I also don’t race often with only 2-3 a year. But I was focused on a nice slow build up of fitness.

That seems like good strategy. I've just added compression socks to my packing spreadsheet for future trips.

I just ran 11.5 in Boston 2 weeks ago as my longest pre-half training run. Didn't think twice about doing it with travel. So I do think I'm gonna like traveling for halfs. I'm going to be in London in February visiting my daughter, did a little web search and found there is a half a 45 minute train ride from my hotel on my last weekend there. I'm thinking I'll probably do it. Again, caveat, have to see how this weekend goes.

 

[FootyLovin]

RunningWise how was Valencia??

I ran stupid. Way too fast to start. Got caught up in the moment. But I did finish (slowly) despite both legs cramping in the final mile. No medal to show for it. The story floating around is that they were held up due to tariffs. Hopefully I'll get one in the weeks or months ahead. But here I am right before and after.

 

[RunningWise]

RunningWise how was Valencia??

I ran stupid. Way too fast to start. Got caught up in the moment. But I did finish (slowly) despite both legs cramping in the final mile. No medal to show for it. The story floating around is that they were held up due to tariffs. Hopefully I'll get one in the weeks or months ahead. But here I am right before and after.

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View attachment 14285

Congrats. Great job there today. It’s always hard to hold back in the beginning when you feel so good but going 5 seconds per mile too fast at the start will cost you 60 seconds per mile at the end. We were discussing this today post marathon that racing is just constant adjustments. You learn from mistakes and make new ones. A lot to be proud about with that run

 

[RunningWise]

Here is a “stolen” picture from my finish. 3:10:47. (I’m the multicolor shirt in the middle with the orange shoes)

Overall my day was a huge accomplishment. Years ago I jumped into a few marathons and my PB was a 4:18 And this was my first raced marathon. So, an hour and 8 minute improvement at 45.

Speaking about what I said above. I made a ton of tactical errors. I planned to start behind the 3 hour pace group and hang on or push past depending on how I felt. The race was so crowded I lost them immediately and could never catch back up. Secondly, I need to work on my nutrition and that plan. I used gels but I don’t think I did a great job with it. And finally, it was very hot out there (especially during the second half). I was so hot and drank way too much water where I couldn’t stomach drinking and running. So starting at mile 17 I stopped at every water station to drink a bottle and pour a bottle on my head.

First half was a 1:30 (right on target) and the second half was a 1:38. Considering the fact that my first half marathon was a 1:37 in spring 2024 it’s incredible to me that I can do this.

But overall I’m really happy. I almost cried crossing that blue carpet into the finish and I highly recommend this race no matter how fast you are. The city plus the race make this a great experience.

I guess I do have one more regret. I chose to hang out with some other people that my coach works with (which was awesome) but had to choose between that and the Valencia CF match today. Sorry I missed the opportunity to see them but running is such a solo sport and you can’t miss the opportunity to connect with people.

 

[CCMore]

Congrats my man FootyLovin! Proud of you. I hope you get your medal, it is an accomplishment to be proud of! And a pretty good time to boot

Edit: God damn RunningWise! Crushing it! Amazing effort as well!

 

[FootyLovin]

God damn @RunningWise! Crushing it! Amazing effort as well!

THIS!!!!

Holy shit man. So inspiring!

Really appreciate your comments about making mistakes, learning, and making new ones. I'm not beating myself up today but I'm really trying to get super clear about the lessons so I don't repeat these same mistakes. If all goes well I'm going to run another half on 1/24 in East Meadow.

Onward.

And will definitely put Valencia on my wish list. I could imagine targeting this for my 55th birthday week (12/6/2027).