A Full Marathon on the Schedule

I did it.  I registered for a full marathon.  With my recent half success I feel that I am ready to compete against my younger self and attempt another full marathon.  My time should be within the range of my last marathon in 2000 and below the six hour course limit of our local marathon.  I have about 8 months to continue preparation for this and I'll be ready to conquer this distance again.   I can't wait.

The 22nd Time is my Lucky Charm!

Shamrock'n Rocks!!  Finished my 22nd half marathon since Fall 2009 today and it was great!  There has been only one other half where I was able to finish under 3 hours.  I have been dancing around that time for the past two years with no success until today!  Today however, I managed to skip the 2:50-2:59 time all together with an amazing time of 2:49.59.97.  I am not making that up.  I don't think I could come closer to it if I tried.  The best part is I felt great throughout the race (a little nagging foot pain that I have come to expect) and felt great afterwards.  This was my 4th Shamrock'n and the trip up the stairs from Raley Field has always been my least favorite part after the finish.  Today, it was no problem.  


I am only two and half minutes from my PR set in 1999 when I was 13 years younger and carrying significantly less poundage then I currently have.  Seeing that I walked the first 1/2 mile (it was cold and crowded and I didn't want to get swept up in the excitement) and maintained my 3:1 walk/run ratios, I think that a new PR is doable in the very near future.   


I couldn't resist putting my time in the race predictor calculator for the marathon distance and my predicted marathon time is consistent with my past times and falls below the six hour CIM cut-off.  Perhaps another marathon is in my future as well.  Lots to look forward too.