Only about 2% of runners will finish a marathon in less than 180 minutes (3 hours)

Six years ago, I couldn't even imagine running the distance (26.2 miles). But after working up to 3-4 mile jogs a few times a week, I set the incredible goal of running a half marathon.

After four months of intense training, well at that time (20-25 miles/wk), I ran the Houston half-marathon on January 16th, 2005. It was so grueling, I swore that was it. I'll never do another half, let alone a full.

Fortunately a running comrade pushed me to do a full marathon. Rededicated, I set a sub 4:00 hour goal for the full Houston marathon the following year. I trained harder than ever and crossed the finish in 3:59; I was hooked.

I've now run 21 marathons and this site is my journal to join that exclusive club of those who finish a marathon in under 180 minutes (3 hours).

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Saturday, December 19, 2009

American Bank Half Marathon

Weather great, course flat. Solid PR 1:29:47, 2nd in my division and 9th overall.

It was great to go Sub 1:30 for the first time, but it was disappointing to barely do so. I was hoping to run about 1:27, maybe even 1:26. Those would be the minimum times I would need to indicate that I was ready to go for Sub 3:00 in full race.

My running mate John did note that I put in 25 miles, including some speed work, in the three days before the race. I appreciated his effort to put a positive spin on it, and perhaps I might have run 1, maybe even 2 minutes faster had I tapered. But still, that would have just put me at 1:28-high 1:27, not good enough.

Damn the torpedoes; I've been training to go Sub 3:00 and will finish out the next three weeks doing so. Come race day, if the weather is at all respectable, will give it a try. It's going to be painful ;(

Splits
01: 6:36
02: 6:48-Small Hill
03: 6:37
04: 6:39
05: 6:43
06: 6:47-Turnaround (6:42 average to the half)
07: 6:49
08: 6:54-Running dead into wind, cool yes, but felt the resistance
09: 6:57
10: 7:01
11: 7:06
12: 7:00-Knew it would be close, had to pick it up
13: 6:55-Gotta look good coming into finish
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