mindplunge

I’m running the San Jose half Marathon this weekend!

This weekend I’ll be running my first half Marathon in my life. Although I’m pretty excited I’m also a bit scared. Who wouldn’t before a first race (1/2 Marathon none the less)! My training schedule fell apart the last month so another reason to be scared… But I will finish! I feel prepared, maybe not for the full 100% but I’m certain I can do this!

I’ve received the last notifications of the organization and all forms are filled out. For those who can’t make it to the South Bay there is an actual live webcam! Visit www.rnrsj.com to view the finish line! The magical race number to watch: 7179. I expect to run a 2:30hr time so with the start at 08:00AM I should cross the finish line around 10:30AM.

And for those living near San Jose come see me finish! Start and Finish is at the Plaza Cesar Chavez and since this is a Rock and Roll ½ Marathon event, tons of entertainment is offered. For the runners there is a live band every mile (13 bands). At the finish line there is the Festival. Lots of bands, beer and an expo!

Of course I will follow up on this post with the end result and how things went. I’m excited! Now I have to compile a Marathon playlist to accompany me on my race…

OHR (One Hour Runner)

Without realizing it I became a ‘One Hour Runner’. For a long time I was just running 5K’s a few times a week. Lately I’m extending my runs and last week I ran my first 10K. It wasn’t planned but somehow on my regular run I decided to take a left instead of a right… and I kept on running. I ran towards the Lake, turned around and headed back home. When I finally stopped workout on my iPod I clocked 10K with a time of 01:03:24 hours. Wow… I just ran over 1 hour!

When I started running in May ‘08 my goal was running a 5K in 30 minutes. One year later I’m running 10K in an hour! I’m feeling (physically and mentally) so much better than last year. My next goal is the San Jose 1/2 Marathon and I’m convinced I can do this! Wanne start running as well? Here some links to get you off the couch:

• C25K Program
• OHR Program

My advise is to start slow! You don’t have to run fast!

Running update

I’m raising the bar on my running regime. I’ve set a pretty high goal and this goal is approaching relatively fast! I intend to run the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon in San Jose CA. The run will be on October 4th so less than 4 months… More about this ambitious plan in my next post. For now just a talk about running in general.

As you might know I started the C25K (Couch to 5K) last year. Basically a program to get you running a 5K within 12 weeks. Since I’ve completed the program I’ve been running 5K on a regular basis. I’m extending these runs lately and for the past two weeks I’m running 8K (Kilometers) almost daily. You can find my full schedule at twiike, runner+ and the Nike+ running websites.

The challenges on the Runner+ website are a great motivator as you try to outrun your fellow runners. It’s quite competitive but I must say that the running community, although always on the run (pun intended), is a pretty relaxed. You know what I’m talking about once you become a runner.

My favorite time to run are the early mornings. No traffic, cool breeze and it is just stunning to see the sun come up. I’m privileged to run in California. Not only for the weather but the views are amazing. I run through walnut orchards towards a dormant volcano (Mt Konocti) and passing some vineyards. Yes, I’m blessed.

So yeah… 4 months to go. San Jose, here I come!

….and we’re in 2009

9 days into 2009 and we all started with a ‘clean’ slate. Work is overwhelming so no much time to post something here. All my clients have the same feeling of a clean slate so work is pouring in. That’s a good thing considering the state of the economy.

A few months ago I started my personal branding at richardlemon.com! Finally I was able to snatch the domain after several years and it’s up and running now! I you are interested in SEO and Web Industry talk I can recommend to subscribe to my feed. You can also follow me on twitter @richardlemon.

Personal stuff I will keep on posting here at Mindplunge so this blog will be alive as well. I’m kinda late but: HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My first 5 miler

I wasn’t kidding when I told you the Nike+ training program was ambitious. Yesterday I had a 5 mile (8.05 Km) run planned and since 3 mile was the furthest distance I ever ran you can imagine I wasn’t looking forward for this. I wasn’t even sure if I was capable of running this distance. On top of it all it was pouring down yesterday morning… great.

But I came prepared. Recently I purchased the New Balance NBx Control Tights, some Nike Dry-Fit long sleeve shirt and of course my new Brooks running shoes. I had Aleisha drop me off 4 miles from home on the other end of the creek. Although the rain was puring down for the first 15 minutes of the run I felt pretty warm. There was hardly any wind and temperature wise it felt like low 60’s.

My run was close to perfect! I was afraid of mile 4 but I had enough energy left to finish the last mile. I felt a blister coming up but it wasn’t significant enough to stop running. Once again I had enough power at the end to perform a little sprint! I’m pretty happy with the result of my first 5 mile!

Some numbers:

Distance: 5.06 mi
Time: 54′05″
Pace: 10′41″/mi