777 marathon training begins

My 7th Marathon will be the 7th Annual 7 Bridges Marathon.

(I don’t count Savannah since it was diverted and not quite full distance. I only got 24.22 miles instead of 26.2 that race. Even though it ended up being full distance if I add in the distance to and from the parking, it doesn’t count unless it was in the race so my real first marathon was not Savannah on November 7, 2015 but Chickamauga the week after.)

My 15 week training plan begins this week (and started yesterday.) It’s time to get serious! Race day is October 15, 2017.

2017 Hotlanta Half Marathon

Official results for the Hotlanta Half Marathon have posted! I beat my time from last year by 21 seconds but my pace is somehow the same. I knew it was very close. All through the race and especially when I came in on the clock all I could think about was beating my performance last year. I knew I had my work cut out for me. It is amazing to me that, although technically very slightly better, it is spot on the same. I do not think I could’ve pushed any harder.

I’m very glad I didn’t lose any fitness but what do I have to do to get faster? Is it possible? Actually, I know what I have to do. I have to drop a few pounds and also get more muscular, while keeping up the rest of my running fitness and doing more speedwork. I’m trying… I would very much like to succeed.

Official times, placements and pace:
2017: 1:53:57 Overall 213/1525 Age Group 7/118 8:44/mi
2016: 1:54:18 Overall 173/1620 Age Group 8/126 8:44/mi