A week off

This week was deer season. This is a week where running fades from the brain. Eating and drinking just about fade from the brain for that matter. I ran about 16 last Sunday which includes about 3 miles of running through the woods looking for deer. A new perk I have from being able to run. I can run through the woods and cover miles of terrain to see where the game is hanging out at. Most of the time, they will stand there long enough to see what in the world is running through the woods. I hunted quite hard till Wednesday at noon when I was able to get this nice 8pt!
I'm preparing for the Mistletoe Run for Youth in Winston Salem NC on Dec. 1st. I'm going to go all out on this one. I haven't run a half for 2 years now. Back then 13.1 miles was a new distance for me. I still respect this distance but I am going to try and push myself to a new limit. I may have made a mistake by taking this week off. I feel kinda fat and sluggish. I was able to squeeze in one mile today and that's all. With the rain coming, it may be hard for me to get in a quality run till about Wednesday so that is worrying me a little as well. I will try to run in the rain but I'll have to see how bad it is. My best pace for a half is 7:55/mile. I will be trying for at least a 7:50/mile. I'd like to get a time of 1:40 for the race. I think most of my family will be there to watch as well. My cousin's husband is running this. It was his idea. He is a fairly new long distance runner and is doing great. I can't wait to do this one.

Lessons Learned from MCM 2007

If you're just now tuning in for my Marine Corp Marathon posting please see the posting below this one.

Let's see what did I learn from marathon number 3?

Things I learned in general.

1. Figure out someway to not have to "go" during the race! Bathroom breaks and water stops destroy my time!

2. I need to find someway to fight off cramps late in the race. I don't know if this means having someone meet me with a gatorade or what? Should I look into salt tablets?

3. Carrying your own fluids and food is a good idea especially for the first part of the race. It would actually be good to have someone restock your pack about half way through because stopping at water stations in the last half of a race can tend to slow you way down since it is hard to restart. Next time I may try stopping at a station and refilling my gatorade bottle with gatorade and my water with water although I think that would really really slow me down.

4. I really like sport beans and they do boost your energy some.

5. Wearing your name or something recognizable on your shirt like "Hokies" gives the fans something to cheer for and gives you a boost as well.

Things specific to the MCM

1. MCM is fairly crowded. Don't look to run a personal record (pr) here unless you've really trained hard for it.

2. Be prepared for quite a walk getting to and from this marathon.

3. If you are going to have someone meet you during the race. You'll just about have to map out the exact spot because the crowds are tremendous and it is nearly impossible to find someone even within a certain block.

4. Miles 18-21 and 23-26.2 are hard. There's not much crowd support and/or it's a lot of uphill.

5. I will do MCM again! But not next year. It is a great time.