October Assessment

as of October 6.

weight: 172 (and counting, hopefully down)
waist: 40.25 inches
diet: same as last month
push-ups: don't know
running: um, yeah...

residual

Given the way I felt walking from the finish line to my car after completing the half-marathon, I was sure I was in for a very rough next couple days of soreness. I was however, quite surprised with the minimal achiness experienced. I can't say enough for the wonders of the ice bath. I definitely had shin splints though. Monday I had off from work and spent most of day doing yard work. The activity worked out pretty much all of the leg soreness I had experienced, but after a few hours, my feet were complaining. They were definitely tired and not yet ready to be used all day long. But by Thursday I felt fine to the point that I completely forgot I had been in Baltimore the previous Saturday. Six months to go until the Salt Lake City Marathon...

survival

I achieved two of my three goals. I finished the race and my finish time was 3 hours, 23 minutes, and 10 seconds. I believe, though, I walked more of the course than I ran. If the uphills and downhills were equally distributed than I ran close to 6 1/2 of the 13.1 miles. I knew I might have a long day ahead when I started walking before I'd finished the first mile. Yes, I had reviewed (mulitiple times) the course elevation chart before the race. No, I did not accurately assess my fitness level (lack thereof) and how that would play out with the variable elevation. A number of body parts predictably ached throughout the last half of the race and my feet hurt from mile 9 on. The toughest half mile of the day was the walk from the finish line to where my car was parked. Wow, things stiffened up amazingly fast while walking through the finishers' area. I'm thinking I never wish to attempt such a distance with so little preparation ever again. Yikes.

could be interesting

well if not for already sunk money in a registration and a non-refundable hotel room, I probably wouldn't be in Baltimore this evening. I am without a doubt the least trained and perhaps the most out of shape I have ever been prior to attempting a long race. I am taking comfort that the Baltimore half-marathon advertises itself as being walker friendly and allows 330 minutes for walkers to complete the course before opening the roads back up to car traffic. Barring any significant physical ailment that develops during the race, I am sure I will finish (gotta get that medal after all :) . However, I am almost as sure I will be embarrased by my time. My goals for tomorrow are: 1) finish the race, 2) run an aggregate of at least half the distance , and 3) complete the 13.1 miles in something near 3.5 hours (yes, I am that out of shape).