17-08-2024: 1h44m12s
27-07-2024: 1h54m
05-07-2024: 2h18m
Here's a stupid story: one Friday at 6PM, on 4 hours of sleep, no food, no water just coffee, no training and angry for having done absolutely no work, I went on a run. I was so pissed, that 3 minutes into the run I decided "hey! I should run a marathon! In a loop! In the woods!"
8 miles later, I realized there was a 0% chance that I would make it 26.2 miles and opted for a half marathon: 13.1 miles. I somehow made it, completing the half marathon in 2 hours and 18 minutes. 1 standard deviation to the right for men. I'll take it for no training...
Then I noticed something strange. I felt good. And the dopamine high didn't leave for 3 days. 3 ENTIRE DAYS. Specifically, I was a monster at work, putting in 16 hour days of focus without breaking a sweat. I don't think I've ever been that productive without Princeton's Dean's Date looming over my head.
So, even though I don't like running, I think I'm obligated to try it because I think I just found a cheat code to life and I must listen to my body. I'm starting this logbook to document my progression. I have no goal except to optimize my best half marathon time. As always, this logbook will be in reverse chronological order so you don't need to scroll through my yapping to see how I'm doing. Let's do it!
BOOM! Half-marathon in 01:44:12. Einstein said Mendelsohn was “superficial”. Mendy, fuck that noise, this PR is for you. Because I was leaving for 3 Mile Island that day, I half-assed my cooldown, and didn't rest properly. I tweaked my right knee walking down a flight of stairs post-run. Need to ensure that my warm-up and cool-down is emphasized. Regardless, I maintained a roughly 7:50 min/mi pace. To achieve a 1:35:00 PR, I need to run a sub 7:15 min/mi pace. The first step is to understand what running at a 7:00 min/mi pace feels like, so the next steps are to increase my default run distance and scope out what 7:00 min/mi pace feels like. Additionally, strength, stability, and flexibility training for my knees is required. Finally, I need to learn how to eat A LOT. This is likely the hardest improvement.
13.26 miles in 01:54. This PR brought to you by a 🥥 🌴. I ran calculations on dew point+body->outside temperature delta+energy flux and found I would expend 10-15% less energy had I started my run at 5AM when it was 70°F, instead of at 10AM, when it was 83°F. I don't think pacing is as important. Other notes: food ran out around mile 9, and it hit like a freight train. Need more carbs the day before, maybe more water before the run. Otherwise, I might incorporate some deadlifts/pulls/abs Sunday and Wednesday to strengthen my posterior chain - I slouch towards the end of my runs. That's all, I'm guessing sub 1:45 with the right timing, more food, more water, and a stronger back. We will handle pacing another day.
Quick summary to explain where I'm at, and I'll be less wordy from here on out. Few weeks of chill running, logging 25 miles total since that run. I do this 4.2 mile run I call the "bong run" every once in a while. I've realized a couple crucial things about pacing and easing into a run so you're not fighting cold muscles. I'm attempting another halfie on Saturday after resting Friday, hopefully hitting sub 2 hours. The only adjustments I need to make to improve are: get sleep, hydrate, eat food the night before, and pace myself at sub 9:16 min/mi. Can't believe Trump was almost assassinated, and also Kamala is the Dem nominee! Insanity right now. But I have no time to witness history: I'm running too fast to notice hehe