when i was training for my first half marathon back in 2013 i wrote weekly updates listing out each run and workout i did and sharing some thoughts on how i was feeling about my progress. as i am training for my 5th half this december i realized i want to do something similar, opting this time around to share on a monthly-ish basis rather than weekly. i won’t go into the weeds on each and every run and workout the way i did the first time around, but my body and my focus look a lot different at 43 than they did at 30 and this is a great medium for me to explore that.

the biggest difference from then to now is simply that my body is different than it was 13 years ago. my weight is distributed differently, i’ve lost a lot of muscle mass due to long bouts of not running, and my legs need more recovery than they once did. my workouts are about building my strength back, yes, but they’re also about making sure i’m giving myself more time to stretch and take care of my body. my days of training halfway and then winging it are behind me, so for the first time since that first half i’ve made myself a training plan for the months ahead.

this year’s training plan is not nearly as thorough as the one nike put together for me in 2013 and it allows for more flexibility based on weather and schedules, but i have weekly running and workout targets and have begun thinking ahead about gels and hydration and all the things that will not only get me through my half but keep me on my feet after. i have some longer term running goals in mind and want to make sure i feel strong in december and into next year.

i’ve been lucky this summer in that for the most part we’ve had decent temps and the humidity hasn’t been terrible, but in the last week the temperatures have steadily gone up and the humidity has been hovering around 90% in the early mornings so i have been sticking to shorter or interval runs — right now my goal is consistency; i can worry about distance and time when we get into late september / early october.

i have roped maggie into being my pacer for december and hopefully she and abi can join me around the city when i get into longer runs. i’ve always been a solo runner and mostly still prefer it, but i also know the only reason i made it through my last two half marathons was steve with me in 2016 and ellie and sarah with me in 2023. my motivation has a tendency to lessen as we get into the 10- and 11-mile runs, so hopefully having company will keep me going.

that’s enough for now. i’ll report back in mid-september to let you know how we’re looking.

xx