13.1 Training

Various work-related minutiae has kept me awfully busy the last week or two (and promises to keep me busy for the next twenty years or so). Luckily there hasn't been a lot to say. I've been getting in the odd run, swim, and bike ride and eating a boring, but reasonably balanced and well-proportioned diet. There has been some progress in the weight room (note the 325 pound deadlift) but gains have, for the most part, been modest.

This is why I'm pretty psyched that this week signals the beginning of my ten week half marathon training camp. Last year I clocked a 1:52:57 (chip time) and this year I'm aiming to finish in 1:45 flat. I know this sounds like a lot, but here are the reasons I think I can do it:

• Last year I was late arriving and had to start at the very back of the pack without any warm up to speak of.
• Last year I was around 200 pounds on race day, this year I expect to be closer to 175.
• Last year I was building my fitness base with this run, but this year I'm building on the already pretty decent shape I'm in.

Readers can expect weekly (or so) updates with reports on mileage and training plan compliance for the next two and a half months. I'm following the same training plan that I did last year, but I'm doing the longer-distance variation and I'm aiming for 95% compliance this time.