My Walking/Running – Experiences and Goals – A Quick Summary

My son persuaded me to do the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot 5K in 2011. Prior to that I hadn't done anything even slightly athletic since doing some recreational volleyball in 1983 or 1984. In 2012 I walked the 408K – an 8K race named for the 408 area code – the Rock 'N' Roll San Jose Half Marathon, and the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot 10K. In 2013 I did those same races, plus the Rock 'N' Roll San Francisco Half Marathon. Then in 2014 the ball really got rolling. I did the 408K, a different Turkey Trot 10K, and finished 9 half marathons, a couple of them quite hilly, plus having to drop out of a tenth half, at mile 10. In 2015 I finished one half marathon a month, plus four 10Ks and a 5K.

What am I trying to do? Generally, be healthier and fitter. I've been balancing my walking/running with some weight training, for balanced increases in strength and endurance. Starting in late 2015 I've been working to increase the proportion of running, using 5K and 10K races to motivate me. At the same time, I've been working toward better endurance and being faster in hilly trail races, and have a (possibly) longer term goal of walking/running a full marathon. I'm intentionally including hilly trail 10Ks and half marathons in my plans for 2016, toward the former goal. For the latter goal I'm going to be working longer distance walks into my weekend workouts (>>3 hours!), and will be researching “walker-friendly” marathons.