Catching Up

Before I start posting updates on current runs and progress, I figured for my own sake and record keeping, I should post a recap of how I got here. Since I don't particularly feel like writing a novel, we're going list form for most of it.

On Jan. 1, 2012, I stepped on a scale and weighed 206 pounds. I would include photos, but they make me kind of sick. I started running in January and basically just logged super easy low mileage weeks, starting with three or four runs a week and building up to five runs a week by mid-February.

January
- Runs: Easy runs. Super Slow. 8:30-9 minute mile pace.
- Diet: Cut out liquid calories. Stopped drinking during the week. Started eating better. Ate out less often.
- Weight: Dropped around 15 pounds, nearly all fat.

I started running a more rigid workout schedule about the second week of February, including a speed workout each day. When I drew up the initial plans, I didn't have any ambitions of running anything other than 5ks anytime soon, so there really weren't many miles or many long runs.

February
 - Runs: Increased to five runs a week. Mostly easy miles dipping into the high 7-minute pace. Moderate speed days once a week, starting with track workouts and moving to tempo runs by the end of the month.
- Race: Ran an underground 5k on Feb. 18 with some old friends from college. A ton of twists and turns. And we got fairly drunk reminiscing about college the night before and slept very little. Still, managed a 20:55 which is in the high 6:40 mile pace range. Not bad for all things considered.
- Weight: Dropped down to about 180 pounds by the end of the month.

I made the decision in late February that I was going to run the Pittsburgh Half Marathon for charity. I chose to run for the Mario Lemieux Foundation and more specifically to run in the name of my friend Brianne Dishong, who was diagnosed with cancer late last year. I'll be decked out in a special bright green uniform with quotes and her number on it on race day and a bib that says "iRun4Bri". To date, we have raised more than $1,200 for the foundation. I am hoping to get to at least $1,500 by May 6. More info and online donation site is setup at: http://www.active.com/donate/mariolemieuxfdn/jonholtz

Group shot of the Mansfield alums after the Runnin' Out of Our Mine 5k

 

March
- Runs: Increased to six days a week with a more rigid schedule. Hard workouts Wednesday. Long run Saturday or Sunday depending on my schedule.
- Weight: As it stands March 28, down to 170 pounds. I would like to go about 10 pounds lighter before race day, but I am eating more now with the increased miles so weight isn't coming off as fast. Still, that's 36 pounds lost in less than three months. I'll take it.
- Progress: Long run last week was 10 miles and I did in in 1:13, which is around 7:18 pace. I was solid, smooth and comfortable. Easily could have finished the extra 3.1 miles in the same pace, which would be around 1:34 and change for the half marathon, which would have been top-200 finishers out of 9,000 last season. My goal when I started this crazy plan with no training under my belt was to somehow get into the top-250 on race day. I am hoping if I stay healthy and keep progressing, to blow that away now.

That's some background on how we got to where we are now. Next post will start the official daily running log and progress reports leading up to the half marathon May 6.