Training in Montana

Added an extra 1/2 mile to my run because I forgot my sunglasses when I left the house and ran back to get them. It was a foggy day but glad I had my glasses - keeps out the fog glare and the wind from my contacts. I normally like to roll out of bed on Saturday morning and do my long run, but my wife had something going on so instead I made french toast for the kids and started my run at 9:30 when she got back. Started out the run at 23 degrees and ended near 30 so my frozen mud road was not so frozen when I returned. I did my favorite 10 mile loop but added 3 miles onto it at the bottom of the hill - ran to the frontage road and back to get my extra mileage. A couple miles into the run I realized that I was doing a half marathon, which I've never offically run, so I pushed it a bit more than I would have to try and break 2 hours, just to see if I could. Adjusting my time for the extra .4 miles, I would have squeaked in just under 2 hours at 1:58:39, which is fantastic for me especially considering that miles 8-12 go up 600 feet elevation on a loose gravel road with some steep inclines that always leave me gasping for air.

This is the furthest I've run since the marathon in July and it felt really good. Right calf was really sore most of the day but is feeling better now. I'll soak it in ice water tonight then roll it. Overall, feeling really good about doing 29 miles this week - the most I've done since the marathon. I'd like to bump it to 40 miles per week over the next few months then hold it steady. We'll see how it goes.

AP 9:03, Avg HR 148, Max HR 167.