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Welcome to the Washington Running Report
Salute to the Half Marathon: Part 5
By Brenda Barrera
November/December 2010
For the Washington Running Report
Pete Jewett (Dublin, VA)
What do you do when you need motivation to keep a New Year's resolution to eat right and exercise regularly? When you are the second to last finisher in your first 5K? Pete Jewett did what many newbies do, he doled out $90 and signed up for a longer distance to make sure he continued. The distance now was a half marathon. Surprisingly, that did not give him the biggest motivation. It was discovering he could run, get fit, and raise money for a charity of his choice. It was just the fuel he needed to continue through grueling miles and inclement weather. Jewett, who has autistic twin granddaughters, joined the OAR Run for Autism and is raising money for this charity dear to his heart and really appreciates the camaraderie of group participation.
Five things I like about the half marathon distance:
1. While there is fulfillment for running any race from a 5K to a marathon, the half marathon is challenging yet attainable for a variety of runners.
2. You can make the training as demanding as you want depending on your goal. However, if your goal is just to finish, that is a much easier distance to focus on. Also, it is a great distance to stay "race ready" without having to ramp up miles.
3. 5Ks and 10Ks are over way too quickly. Marathons take up a lot of time for both running and training. Half marathons provide a challenging run with ample time to spend at the finish area hanging out with other runners.
4. There are more and more halfs available now. When they are connected with a marathon you get the atmosphere of the marathon without having to run the distance.
5. Most important = the recovery time is less than a marathon. If you want to run marathons, first of all, the training is three times as hard; and, second, your body takes a lot of stress.
Pete's 2010 Half Marathon Diary
Feb - Myrtle Beach Half Marthon - n/a
Cancelled due to snow, but ran the course anyway with about 800 others
Mar - Bank of America Raleigh Rocks Half Marathon - 2:11:50
Great race and not too far of a drive.
Apr - Blue Ridge Half Marathon - 2:20:58
This is in Roanoke and VERY challenging
Aug - Lynchburg Half Marathon - 2:15:32
Sep - Dodge Rock ‘n' Roll Virginia Beach
Nov - Star City Half Marathon in Roanoke
In his own words: "Running a 5K, let alone a full marathon, were way out of my natural abilities. Running was always the punishment for the sports I played. I was not a runner. Suddenly I had my motivation (it was like the theme from Rocky started playing in my head). I was no longer doing this for me. As in other areas of life sometimes you just need to find your passion. The training suddenly took on new meaning. Quitting was not an option. I finished the half marathon and at the same time raised $1,300 for OAR ($100 a mile). I also discovered that the people involved on the Run for Autism team were not elite runners; they were like me--parents and grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, or even friends of children with autism. They are trying to make a difference. Trying to answer the question, what can I do?"
Michelle Rowley (Alexandria, VA)
After college Michelle Rowley ran some local 5K and 10K races. In 2005, after finishing the Veterans Day 10K, she decided it was time to move up to the half marathon distance and finished the Rock ‘n' Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon. As she puts it, "I was hooked!" This year she has decided to run a half marathon a month and raise $10,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society in memory of her mother, who had MS.
Five things I like about the half marathon distance:
1. More of a challenge than a 5K or 10K. I haven't run a marathon (yet) so I can't compare it to that distance.
2. I'd say 13.1 miles is a manageable distance to train for. I don't have to spend more than a couple hours each weekend running and I get a great workout.
3. This is a popular distance for destination races. Important: You aren't too worn out to enjoy sightseeing after the race.
4. My husband will run this distance with me :) so it's nice to have a great training partner.
5. I just love to run! And it gives me a chance to clear my head and just enjoy the outdoors - especially enjoyable this time of year.
In her own words: "My goal after completing a half marathon a month in 2010 and raising $10,000 for the MS Society is to run at least a half marathon (or a marathon if I get to that point) in each state. So far I've checked off eight states and after my last race in Las Vegas it will be nine. In November I will run my first Richmond McDonald's Half Marathon. One of my goals for 2010 was to break 2:00:00. I'm really hoping the flat course, great crowd support, and great November weather will help me do that in Richmond."