1/2 marathon race training

Karen and I are training for the half marathon on October 6th.

The first ever "Run the Rock" is sponsored by KMXT and it is the only big fall season race. My friend Erin spearheaded the project last spring when she wanted a local fall run to train for.

Training for a race has felt so good. I haven't done a race since the Tour of Anchorage many years ago...2002 perhaps? Or was it 2001? Anyhow, the race course for our half marathon is from the end of Anton Larsen Road to the golf course.

Patrick says there is about a 500 foot elevation climb over the pass-past pyramid and back down. Karen, Jeremy and I decided the best way to practice for that would be to do a run on a long elevation such as pillar. So thats in the mix in the next few weeks. Jeremy has run many full marathons, and karen many half marathons, so I much appreciate the expertise on how to train for it!! Karen reassures me that we'll be ready for race day. I get really excited thinking about race day!!

We're up to 6 mile runs and hope to get an 8 mile one in over the next week or two and do a 10 or 11 mile run before the race. Karen and I run at the same speed which is nice. Its a good balance. I don't feel like I'm always chasing her and she and I take turns taking the lead.

I've never felt healthier in my life. After we do this race, I'll look towards the Tour of Anchorage in March. Thats the 16 mile ski race where Dicky and Ella will come up to do the race as well. Talk about sibling competition-Patrick and Dicky and Ella and I....yowsers!! :) Hopefully we'll try to keep the competitive juices at a minimum and just focus on the fact that we'll all be together on the days surrounding the race.

Zoya