The 5-5-5 Method

I once read that an effective way to approach a half marathon mentally is to use the 5-5-5 Method. That is to say, break the race down mentally into two five-mile races, followed by a 5K race. It's basically a modification of the full marathon race strategy (two 10-milers, followed by a 10K). Those silly runners and their mind games. Now for today's run:

Stats

• Distance: 5 miles
• Surface: Indoor Track (Rec Center - Upper Track)
• Time: 37 minutes, 58 seconds 
• Average Pace: 7:36 minutes:seconds/mile

Notes
While the mental preparation may be a bit premature at this point (the race isn't until November), I couldn't help but think about this strategy during my run today. The goal for today was five miles, so naturally, I thought about the 5-5-5 Method. I purposely held back my pace today, trying to get into the "long-haul" mindset.

Once I settled in, the run almost felt routine.

Don't get me wrong, I was quite relieved at about lap number 33 -- realizing that I only had two more laps. I was ready to be done! My hamstrings were quite sore from the deadlifts I did yesterday.

What I mean to say is, I looked at my time after the first lap, and I had completed in in about 1:05. When I calculated my average lap time, it was 1:06. So, I managed to hold my pace over the course of five miles, and I wasn't dead tired at the end. This is all very promising. I can't say for sure at this point that I would have been able to hold that pace over another five miles, but that's why I'm training, right!?


Anyway, to sum it all up:  Overall this was definitely a quality run, and one that I can absolutely build on for the future.