Half Marathon – 2017 Edition

Yesterday I ran a half marathon with my brother for the 5th consecutive year. We both clocked in at 2:10, a reasonable time for two guys with minimal race preparation! The long run for each of us was a 8-miler a month before the race. That equates to us putting in a 65% distance premium on the Half Marathon race day (I wonder if my retirement portfolio can pull that performance). It’s a big help that the Half Marathon course is mostly, and mercifully, devoid of hills.

For any scientists who want to study me–because clearly I’m an athletic marvel–you can find me in an ice bath.

There are two kinds of racers: those who run for time, and those who run for a guilt-free brunch afterwards. My brother and I fall into the latter category.

We have both broken 2 hours before, which is a quasi-Mendoza line for weekend warrior runners. A 2-hour finish equates to a roughly 9-minute mile pace and increased pinging from your brain with dubiously helpful thoughts such as “Do we really need to run this fast? Stopping and laying down works just as well.”

I’m starting to wonder what my finish time could be if I worked at it a little bit more. Especially after seeing some of the different types of people running in yesterday’s race. If they can work that hard, what excuse do I have not to? (I mean, besides the fact that laying down works just as well as running.)

What started as a novelty has now turned into a tradition…and something to keep in mind: If you do anything often enough you’ll keep doing it. We can call it Newton’s First Law of Habits.

Anyway, I’m going to go lay down and start training for my next race.