First day of half marathon training started today, via my shiny new
@DopeyBadger training plan. For those following along, I've never been super fast, so my EA and EB paces are definitely sloooooow. Meaning, don't laugh at my stats for the next 16 weeks... there's a point and a plan and goal to it all. I'm pretty excited about it, to be honest. Morning runs start today, too - good timing, since the weather is about to turn gross (90s later this week).
Today's goal was to run 2 miles at my EB pace, which is 14:00. I did 2.01 miles in 28:08, for an average pace of 14:02. My watch is still not the greatest for tracking pace, but I did OK today. I started paying attention to my breathing in the last third of the run, and I think that kind of helped more than anything in terms of proper pacing--if I was huffing at all, I was going to fast. I do think pacing is going to be a challenge in my neighborhood because it is all hills. I'll need to learn to be consistent with the amount of effort I'm putting in to the uphills compared to the downhills.
I feel good after the run - definitely less worn out/sore than I usually do. But, it is time to look at new shoes. I think I need something with a little more midfood support than my Saucony Zealots have, but I want to keep the minimal drop. So, off to research-land I go.
Another keen observation: The Spotify "Early Morning Run" station for that pace (about 160 bpm) is garbage. Why do I want to hear a country song about smoking and drinking at 5:45 in the morning while running? I'll need to find something else to listen to.
Last: Sorry to
@MoanasPapa for the early wake up. One of our dogs decided to pace the house after I left, and her pacing woke him up, then woke our daughter up (at least she was in a great mood!). Whoops.
Stats: 2.01 miles, 28:08 (14:02/mi)