Half Marathon Diary, Week Five: Moderation is the key

I think our water bill is going up. 

At least one-a-day workouts and soaring temperatures mean more showers and more laundry more often.  Fortunately, my husband says that anything that improves our health is worth the money.  So, I’ll shower on!

Moderation — ugh.  That’s what I had to use this week. Because of my injury, I decided early in the week to use only the elliptical and not walk at all for exercise.  That lasted until about mid-week when I started walking between three and four miles at a time.  Each time, the first mile or two was painful, slow, and discouraging.  But after that, my muscles loosened up and my walking improved.  I wasn’t back at my pre-injury pace but there was at least a glimmer of hope!

I chose not to do the Firecracker 5K in Elizabeth.  Instead, I offered to help.  Joe Corra allowed me to help him put participant information into the computer.  I had never realized how much time and effort went into such things behind the scenes of a race.  Though I wished that I was sweaty like the ones who did the race, I was grateful for the experience.

Similarly, I decided to not do the 10-mile half marathon training Monday evening.  Instead, I helped at a water stop — the last water stop on the course, located at the corner of East and Seventh streets.  Michelle Gossett and her daughter worked the table while I guided folks to the table, which was tucked in under a few trees, trying to take advantage of as much shade as possible. 

It was horrendously hot that evening and several runners became walkers as they climbed the gradual grade to Seventh Street.  I saw the toll that the heat and humidity took out of all of these athletes and I applauded their efforts.  In my eyes, each one —whether they finished the course or not — was a winner and a hero!

Not doing races and the half marathon training is killing me.  I am worried that I am getting so far behind that I will never catch up.  I had such high hopes for the Parkersburg Half.  I was hoping to take 30 seconds per mile off my best half marathon time.  Hubby George has offered to take me to any half marathon in the 48 continental states if I train for a half marathon and take off those seconds.  Talk about motivation!

Will the 2010 Parkersburg Half be the one?