I just finished the couch to half program. It only took me 19 months.

In December I decided to train for a HM with the backup plan of a 15k if I couldn't get the mileage. I dropped the plan in the middle of December due to the increase mileage giving me piriformis issues and a beat up feeling. After giving up a week, I was able to get back on track on run healthy until my race today. I think it helped that I changed shoes from Vomeros to Nimbus.

Results:

1:37:24  41/657 overall and 5/62 in AG. Not bad for my debut.

Goal:

My goal for today was 1:40 with a stretch goal of 1:38. I was planning to try to do even 7:30 splits. I was concerened about fading at about mile 10 and beyond because I had only three training runs of 10 or more miles. My biggest mileage week was 32. I was scared going into the race because of the low mileage.

Race

About a week ago I heard that Slymoon was going to be in this race too. I was happy since we are about the same pace. We meet up at the starting line and ran the first 9 miles together. This helped me, mentally. I could focus on something other than the length of the race. At mile 9 I faded slightly to a little slower than 7:30 and Slymoon went ahead of me.

My splits were strong until mile 11. At that point I struggled for the next two miles. I was still able to get those at 7:43 and 7:44. After mile 12 I gave it everything I had in mile 13. I didn't want to kick at the end of the race, but I got challenged by two people from behind; therefore, I kicked hard to beat them. They probably took about 5 seconds off my time.

7:13/7:27/7:23/7:28/7:32/7:24/7:17/7:26/7:31/7:32/7:43/7:44/7:20/6:55 kick

After the finish, I almost cried. On February 22, 2012 I was basically told that I would be able to run anything beyond about a 5k by my ortho. I proved him wrong today. I meant a lot to me to do this my way too. I was well enough trained to run a very strong half. I like the 5k better, but I felt like I had something to prove. I am glad I got this race behind me. It proves that I can run any distance strong.

Nice job, Dan!  I am glad you were able to get through training, and you ran a great race!

Excellent job!  Strong race.

Awesome job Dan, Which plan did you use?

I bet if you ran a marathon you would BQ! (hint,hint)

Congratulations, Danny!  Awesome first HM and awesome time!

Didn't I tell you last year that whoever told you that was not correct? I am glad I was proven right!

Dan, fantastic work on the HM debut!  Really impressive stuff.  Miles 11-13 are supposed to be difficult.  Sounds to me like you did it right.

Congrats Dan, that's an awesome time!

Wow...you didn't just finish your debut half.  You raced the hell out of it.  Congratulations!