12 Weeks Until the Folsom Blues Breakout Half Marathon

My plans for stilling in running shape over the summer haven't gone according to plan due to a number of reasons with the main one being that I overdid it a bit in the spring, it's been a hotter summer than usual, I've gone on a few spaced out vacations that have interrupted my training flow, and I haven't been that good at sticking to my diet.

I had planned to keep my distances up and complete a nine and ten mile run in each month. I've done a couple runs over eight miles but nothing over nine. I'm sure I can ramp back up, but depending on the heat, it'll depend over how many weeks.

What worked well for me for the Shamrock'n Half Marathon in the Spring was targeting a one mile increase in my long run (Saturday) every two weeks while doing at least eight miles in the other week. I'd also run a couple of five mile runs during the week. I'd like to do the same this go around along with adding a 3.5 mile run on the Sundays following the 8 miler.

To be on track for that, I'd need to do a long run of seven miles today. I currently have a bit of a cold, so I decided to go for 3.5-5 instead. I'm pleased to report that I did the five. I think if I also do five miles on Monday and Wednesday with an optional 3.5 tomorrow depending on how I feel, that I should be able to go for 8 next weekend and be right on track.

If not, last year I followed a seven week plan to get up in distance for the Four Bridges Half Marathon (which is now the Folsom Blues Breakout Half Marathon), and if things don't cooperate this year, I could do the same plan again. I pulled a muscle in my right hamstring using that training plan - in part because it was intense and also in part due to my efforts to set a new 5K PR, so I'd rather go with a slower route.

As part of this, I'm going to have to keep an eye on my weight and get back to my diet. I was 180.8 this morning, and I had originally hoped to be in the 167 range by race day. The low 170s are now more a realistic goal, but it's going to be a bit of work. I've been thinking that I need to up the protein I eat while backing off a bit on carbs (especially after running and before days where I'm not running). Hopefully that combination helps me out with my training.