Obviously, I’m proud of myself after my half marathon performance this weekend, but the race definitely lit a fire under my butt. A year ago, I ran the same half marathon 2 minutes and 30 seconds faster. Of course, I had been training and in better health, but if you look at my half marathon times over the years, I haven’t improved all that much.
Rock ‘N’ Roll USA Half Marathon
Washington, DC, March 17, 2012
1:59:08 (9:06)Run to Remember Half Marathon
Boston, MA, May 29, 2011
2:03:57 (9:28)More | Fitness Women’s Half Marathon
New York City, April 3, 2011
1:57:49 (8:59)National Half Marathon
Washington, DC, March 26, 2011
1:56:30 (8:53)The Half of Quincy
Quincy, MA, March 20, 2011
1:57:16 (8:57)Chilly Half Marathon
Newton, MA, November 14, 2010
1:58:01 (9:00)Run To Remember Half Marathon
Boston, MA, May 24, 2009
2:06:04 (9:37)
And I haven’t PRed on a half marathon in over a year! People, this needs to change ASAP. I want a PR in my life.
With that said, guess who registered for the Run to Remember Half Marathon this morning? Yep, that’s right. THIS girl! And my goal is to PR at that bitch.
I’m working on a new half marathon training plan, which will include a mix of CrossFit, CrossFit Endurance-inspired workouts, and long runs. After sticking to a mostly CrossFit/CrossFit Endurance-style training plan for the Rock āĖN’ Roll USA Half Marathon, I now realize I mentally (and probably physically) need those long runs. (Hey, it was a fun experiment!) I’ll post my new training plan when it’s ready. Hopefully, it will help me achieve my PR goal!
Dinner
Mal and I went shopping at Legacy Place yesterday afternoon (I bought some TOMS!), so we popped into the Yard House for an early dinner.
I started with a Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar, which, in theory, sounded delicious, but, sadly, it ended up not being a very good beer. It tasted watered-down, flavorless, and sort of boring. I usually love Rogue beers, but this one was just meh.
To eat, I ordered a Turkey Club (with lettuce, tomato, and avocado) and side salad.
The meal was pretty good. The salad was Asian-inspired and served with a delicious peanut dressing.
Breakfast
For breakfast this morning, I whipped up a batch of āOatmealāĀ Minus the Oats with Teddie Peanut Butter in the mix. I also drank a glass of iced coffee with soy milk. I’m a big fan of this breakfast lately.
Weekly Workouts
- Sunday: Off
- Monday: Off
- Tuesday: 3 miles
- Wednesday: CrossFit
- Thursday: 2.5 miles
- Friday: CrossFit
- Saturday: Off
Question of the Day
When was the last time you PRed at a race? What do you think helped you achieve it?
P.S. Megan is hosting a Zipcar giveaway to raise money for The ALLY Foundation over on her blog. Be sure to check it out!
74 Comments
I PR’d my last marathon, but it was also my first so I’m not sure if that actually counts! I have taken a break from racing but am hoping to PR the Lululemon SeaWheeze half this summer. My last half marathon was about 3 years ago (wow, it’s been a long time!) and I think I did it in about 1:32, so I’ve got my work cut out for me!
I just realized we have the exact same half marathon PR! I really wanted a bigger PR last fall when I got that one and it’s weird to me to see people on blogs who run the same paces as I do in training blow 1:50’s out of the water when it really didn’t seem like I could’ve run much faster than 1:56. Oh well, I’m still not signed up for another, my desire to PR is not enough to make me want to train those distances again yet. 3-5 mile runs are much for fun right now.
I’m sure you’re gonna kill the next one š
I actually just PR’d at my 5k on Saturday! Trying to figure out how hard I’m going to push to PR at my next half marathon…
@Callie @ The Wannabe Athlete: Congrats! š
I PRed in my marathon, but it wa also my first marathon so does that count?? : )
I really want to half marathon PR too! I am hoping for my half on May 6th but I have not been training like I should. Are you adding in some speed intervals? Keep us posted on your training!
@Luv What You Do: Of course! š
I havent PR’d in forever too…
I keep doing ‘maintenance’ running, and then get disappointed at each race time… DUH! I’ll probably keep doing what I’m doing… unless I can find a downhill race…. hmmmm
Where did you get toms at Legacy Place – I just ordered some online but would much rather have bought them in person!
My next half marathon isn’t until October – I’ve slowed down on the running and been focusing on crossfit – I’m hoping that helps me PR!
@Heather: Urban Outfitters! They had a pretty good selection, too!
That’s frustrating but look how long you’ve been running races? That’s incredible!! I’m so bummed I can’t run the Boston Run to Remember half. We are busy that weekend and I wish I was going to be busy running! Wah.
Toms are my favorite! I currently own a red pair, but I want them in every color. š
I go to Legacy every once in a while- where did you buy the Toms?
And now that you’ve made up your mind, you WILL PR! š
@Stephy C: Urban Outfitters!
Congrats on finishing the Rock n’ Roll USA Half Marathon! Given what you’ve been through recently I’d say a sub 2hour race is a fantastic finish!
As for getting a half PR, I know you’ve got a lot of training choices and are keen on Crossfit and Crossfit Endurance but I still want to tell you about the training program I used last year for the Newport Half Marathon. I followed Hal Higdon’s Intermediate Half Marathon training program and I PR’d the Newport course by more than 10 minutes!!! The program incorporates bi-weekly 400m and tempo workouts. The speedwork DEFINITELY helped me improve. Check out http://halhigdon.com/training/51132/Half-Marathon-Intermediate-Training-Program and good luck!
@Scott: That’s what I used, too, and it definitely worked for me! I’m interested to see if using it for a second training cycle would be as beneficial as it was this first time I used it.
@Charliss: @Scott: Thank you! I will definitely check it out!
@Scott: I’m using this plan to train for the Boston Run to Remember! I’m glad it worked for you, because I also REALLY want a PR this May!
I just PRed yesterday at the Half of Quincy! I took my (first/last/only) HM time of 2:08:52 at the Run to Remember last year to 1:53:06! Can you tell I’m still floating on a cloud? Yay racing!
@Charliss: Wow! Nice job!!
I can’t believe how fluffy that oatmeal minus the oats gets! I’m dying to try it!
Silver lining: you realised what kinda training works best for u!
Excited to see your new Half training plan. I’m in the same boat as you – trying to mix CrossFit with CFE workouts to PR at the SF Half in July! Looking forward to see how you plan to mix in some long runs!
Would you believe at one marathon I PR’ed by 10 minutes and 28 seconds bc I desperately needed to use the ladies room! I quite a bit of water before the race but the restroom line was insane – I thought I’d be fine, kept me pushing though! Not a helpful tip but had to share š
Awesome job on the half! With hardly any running, your performance is impressive. I know you can get that next PR!
I think you have done amazing on all your races!!!
I PR-ed at a Turkey Trot 10k last November. Honestly, I’m not sure what I did running-wise that helped me PR because at the time I was running less frequently than ever. But, I had incorporated swimming into my crosstraining and was doing more interval stuff so maybe my breathing improved??
Is it me or has Teddie peanut butter doubled in price in the last couple months???
Yes! I’ve noticed that too! Market Basket had it for $2.79 the other day, and I stocked up!
@Tina:
oh good idea – i will have to go there (although sometimes I feel like even though it’s much cheaper, I’ll have to spend so much money on shrink appointments if I go to market basket – it’s crazy in there!)
I PRd at the RNRUSA on Saturday! I beat my first half marathon time by six minutes, and it was kind of the best feeling in the world. I really tried to get my head in the game this time, and since I knew what to expect, I felt it was a lot easier on me mentally. I also did a LOT of speed training in the last few weeks before the race, and I know that helped my time quite a bit (it also didn’t hurt that the DC course had wayyy less hills than the Baltimore course!)
Love that the race inspired you!! Even when you did well!!!!! That’s such a runner’s attitude! š Go Tina!
I just ran my FIRST ever yesterday! (It was in Cincinnati, not DC though) so I feel like I can finally understand all of this!
Nice job signing up for another half, and good luck in all of your new training!
I guess if you count only running one half and one marathon each I’ve PR’d both races I’ve run in the last 3 years. But other than that I haven’t run races much so my PR’s are more strength related these days.
the oatmeal looks sooooooooooo good and fluffy… it looks so yummy!
I love Yard House! Always a good time. I havent PRed my half time since Sept – and I’ve run two others since. I haven’t run very many races lately, but my new focus will be 10k’s because I want to get fast again! Plus with school its getting harder & harder to spend 2+ hours running on a Sunday morning when all I want to do is go to breakfast/brunch with friends.
I’ve been getting to new distances, so every one is a PR! I have my first half marathon in 2 weeks and I’m excited but nervous!
My last major race PR was at a half marathon in 2010, and I passed out at the finish doing it. Not recommended.
I’m currently training to run a 7-mile leg of a marathon relay, and I’m using this CF/CFE inspired plan from my sometimes-gym: cfvpendurance.com She posts the three weekly running workouts on the right sidebar on Sunday nights, and it always includes two days of speed/hill work and one long run, plus 2-3 days of regular CF training. So far, I’m feeling strong and fast (I think?), but I won’t know for sure until after the race in 4 weeks!
Thanks for the link! I will definitely check it out!
Wait, long runs are an important part of training for long races like half marathons? WHO KNEW???
I guess so! But, I’m still glad that I gave the whole CrossFit Endurance thing a try since I wouldn’t have known otherwise how’d it work for half marathon training. Plus, it was a great way to switch up my workouts with something new and different since I’m easily bored. I actually think it made me faster on shorter runs!
@Tina: CFE actually does program a “long run” – they don’t call it that but the 3rd run of the week is supposed to be time based, no longer than 90 min, but based on effort and not “LSD”. So theoretically you’d have one interval workout a week, one tempo run a week, and one longer run a week that is run at a higher intensity than a normal long run. So 3 runs a week is a typical CFE program, along with a longer run up to 90 minutes.
Let’s just hope that this years R2R is less hot and humid! I’m only doing the 5 miler this year.
I PR’d at my last half marathon but I know I can do better! I’m hoping for sub 2 next time. š
I had the same beer this past Saturday and thought the same thing! I thought it was just me! Although, I also got a case of Sam Adams light and it tastes like NOTHING.
I had such high hopes for that beer! Bummer!
Hi Tina!
Have you thought about trying Chia-Pudding instead of your “oatless” Oatmeal? It is soooo yummy, and REALLY packed with Omegas and antioxidants. It’s great for people with allergies and sensitivities and is super simple to make. I like it so much, I sometimes have it for dessert too. š
~Health Hungry’s Chia Pudding~
1/4 cup Chia Seeds
1 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk (Let these two soak for 15 minutes- or combine everything and make it night before – think: Oats in a Jar š
1-2Tbsp Nut Butter
Sprinkle Cinnamon
Fruit of your choice(I love to go seasonal – apples in the fall, berries in the summer…)
This recipe can be switched up in a number of ways… so satisfying!
Yummm! That sounds great! Thanks for the recipe! š
Ha ha! “I’m going to PR that bitch!!” Love it! I’m hoping for a PR in my next 1/2 on May 6th. I’ve been following a Smartcoach plan that has speed work every 3 weeks. It’s been good and it did help me PR in my last 1/2 in November (by 8 minutes!).
I’ve heard so much about Toms. Are they really worth all the talk? I’m always up for a new pair of shoes!
I PR’d in the marathon this past fall. It’s hard to say exactly which factor helped me achieve it, but if I had to choose one, I guess I’d say training. I think that training for the race was really what got me the PR.
@Alyssa:
That’s funny because that’s what worked for me too!
Congrats on your half marathon! You are going to kill the next race š
I love a good asian salad dressing!
I PR’ed yesterday at the New Bedford Half! I was beyond stoked because it was pretty unexpected. I missed my PR by 2 seconds in Hyannis a few weeks ago and yesterday I didn’t feel like myself, had weird pins & needles for the first few miles and then decided to get my head in the game and go for it. I beat it by 1:30! Euphoria! š
I’ve heard a lot of people run well at Run To Remember… hope you kill your PR!
I PRed the United States Air Force half marathon back in September 2011. I shaved nearly 20 minutes of my previous half time! I know it was because I was uber dedicated to my training plan. I also wasn’t afraid to embrace a run/walk program. I’m on a heavy yoga kick now as I start teacher training this week, but I want to PR again – hopefully on the Cleveland Marathon half course. We’ll see! Good luck with your goal!
Congrats on a great finish this weekend. I ran the Georgia Half Marathon on Sunday in 1:50 (8:20ish pace) and for some reason I can’t PR either š Whether I run a 5K/10K/half or full that 8:20 to 8:30 pace is where I run. The pollen is flying strong in Atlanta and we had heat and hills so happy with my finish. Now I’m training for Mayors Marathon in Alaska (visiting family there in June) and would love to PR. It’s been since 2009 since a PR. I think I’m very afraid of injury (I’ve had almost all of them!) so I pull back on pace. Still hopeful though.
I’ve also been eyeing some Toms shoes. I’ve heard great things about them.
Hey Tina! Each 1/2 Marathon I have had this year I have gotten faster – in January I had a time that was almost 2 minutes faster than the previous year for the same run, then I ran my next half even faster and than just 3 weeks ago I had my best time yet getting me a time fast enough to qualify for an automatic entry into my first FULL marathon next January!!!! I clocked a time of 1:54:03.5!!!! (I only needed a 1:54:36 to qualify and I kicked that in the butt).
I really think the reason I have done so well on these 3 races is because of my training. I have not done a whole lot of outside running this year which really worried me. Instead I have done a ton of treadmill speed interval training with a lot of the speed interval workouts you have on this site š They really have increased my speed I think…… thank you!
So, since getting back into running, I did PR fall 2012 in different distances and I’m really happy with my 10k PR and don’t need to focus on that. I’d like to really push myself and run both a faster 5k and a faster half-marathon fall 2013.
I will say that I do take into account the course – if I know that it’s super hilly or that conditions don’t usually tend to be optimal, then I’ll push myself but I make sure that I have reasonable expectations.
You go girl!! I love that you have a goal and you’re going for it!
Dumb question: What does PR stand for??
The last time i PR’d was in February when i ran in the nike XC national 4k race i endedup running about 2 min faster than i previously had.
When I used to run half marathons we had a running group and I knew which group of girls always had better times than me so for the first 5-6 miles on my best race I made myself stay with them. After about 6 mile marker everyone kinda separated but it set a great pace for me!
I PR’d at my last half marathon, but I’m going to try to beat that time. I’m sure speedwork helped, but I also set my Garmin to alarm me if I wasn’t at “race” pace and that was a HUGE help.
That’s the fun with running……we’re always setting new goals and “racing” with ourselves! Good luck with training!
this may have already been asked (didn’t go through all the comments…) but what does PR mean? at first i thought it just mean you were going to run a race and really try to promote your website, like carry a banner or give out buttons or something!
Thanks for posting my link! I don’t race much, but my PR’s never make sense. It ends up being SO mental for me; there have been races where I have trained my hardest and go in feeling great, only to feel awful and under trained a few minutes in. For me it’s about telling that negative voice to be quiet!
I’m doing the R2R 5 miler that day! Good luck with the PR!
My half marathon PR is 1:42 and my marathon PR is 3:37 (Boston Qualified!). What are your marathon PRs? making sure my training includes a variety of speed work, hill training and of course the weekly long runs really helped me achieve my goals!
A question–are there any substitutes for the walnuts in the oatmeal minus the oats recipe?
Thanks š
I PR’d last year during a 10K rural road race. I actually won the women’s 10K. Never thought I’d see that day. I took it nice and easy at the start and just kept a good stride making sure my splits continued to improve. I was strong from cross-training and wasn’t burnt out from running!
Sounds like a great goal. My most recent goal? Make those “oats” haha!