Kristian Allén

I was about run something 15 kilometers, but because I felt so good and the average speed was not bad, I ended up running a half marathon. Time was good, but during the last two kilometers I got some kind of a hip strain.

Yeay! Goal achieved! My half marathon goal was to beat 1 h 45 min and, well well, I did it in 1:44:49. I was just running on my own for fun, so sure, this is an unofficial record, but it’s good enough for me.

I’m sorry, but there won’t be any great winning story here. The run was steady, fast and relative easy from the start to finish. But quite fun ride it was.

• 2 km: Already during the first kilometers I knew this is going to be a good run.
• 5 km: Uphill, uphill, but have to keep going…
• 6.5 km: Ok, one trouble ahead. Some abdominal tingling, but only for a while.
• 7.5 km: Two bikers passed by with a speed.
• 8.7 km: Heh, uphill and two bikers passed by by me – same two.
• 12.1 km: Passing a pet pig. Something I don’t see every day.
• 18 km: All the way very good and steady pace 5 min/km.
• 21.1 km: Last three kilometers where tougher, but finally there with a little sprint at the end. I’m feeling quite good after the run.

I think the next goal for a half marathon will be to beat 1 h 30 min.

Yeay!

21 km: Well, overall average run with stable pace. OK.

This run started as a mediocre run, but had a surprise ending.

5 km: Not tired, but not very energetic either. Mediocre.
10 km: Well, still the same. Not tired and not energetic.
11 km: Knee starts to have some feelings. Inconvenient, but not too bad.
17 km: Still going steady. Have to be careful with the knee.

20 km: Oh no, somehow I misinterpreted kilometers and thought last one was, well, the last one. How can the last kilometer feel so heavy? Must be mental, and eventually last kilometer turns this to be quite a tough run.

Woohoo! I’ve now been doing four 21 kilometer runs in two weeks. Have I learn anything? Sure I have.

Disclaimer: Following patterns occur to me, but reactions may vary.

For 21 kilometers there are two outcomes, well, either a great run or indifferent run, and after the first five kilometers I now which one it’s going to be. If I feel like running “above” my fitness condition, then I know I got it.

For me it’s important to start with easy pace and really not to try too hard. If I’ll start with too fast pace, I eventually run only slightly faster, but I will miss the fun of running.

Anyway, if after five kilometers I know I’m going to hit the great run, next level is after ten to twelve kilometers. Running starts to feel lighter and the same time speed will start to increase a bit.

Fifteen kilometers and beyond is ecstasy! Really.

After indifferent run feeling is tired, but after a great run feeling is great and refreshed. That’s the fun of running.

Weather and my stomach were really against my run, but nevertheless speed was OK. I maintained pleasing speed all the way.