quakerboy Member

I have to say pretty much every comment here is AWESOME. I need to read the whole thread, but I am still back at the beginning when folks were processing eating cocoa powder. So happy that folks are being gentle with themselves and others.

I would question the exercise numbers. I'm a pretty big male who runs regularly, and I rarely burn that much.

What is your basic approach to training? My biggest recommendation is that you learn about periodization. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_periodization. If you are running 20-35 a week, you should be in pretty good shape for a half: you get to focus on doing it fast!

And I think you should consider a 5 day schedule. It isn't just miles. You need to give your body time to rebuild muscle in order to get faster. Doing a workout like: 2, 3, 4, rest, 3, 6 will make you much faster than doing 3 miles six days a week, no matter when your race is.

I think you can also think about focusing on weight training after your half. Its only 8 weeks away, and it may be a good way to shift things - give your running muscles a little time to recover. In prep for my last half I stopped lifting, and have restarted now that I am back to a more average running schedule.

I would lift only twice a week - and in coordination with your days. So for example: So you might do hills Monday - and then lift, Tuesday and Wednesday light, Thursday off, Friday moderate with weights, Saturday long, Sunday light. In this way you are keeping your rest days truly rest. You should be clear if your goal is…

Looking for other like minded folks (widowed father prepping to run marathon on my 40th birthday).

I wouldn't recommend multiple days of rest between running. You actually will find a really light run will make you feel better. If you can't do that, perhaps pulling back a little is okay. So I would recommend taking Sunday off, but then do a light run on Monday, maybe two miles, and then and average run on Tuesday (maybe…

That was my sense as well. I thought the research was rather lack-luster on warm-up/cool downs

Good Luck

1/2 Marathon last weekend (2:03) with the goal to be ready to do my first marathon on my birthday (5/30/15).