2012 was my year for half marathons...no injuries!

Well I really have enjoyed my many half marathons that I've run in 2012.  It really is the perfect distance, not too far, and not too short.  My time at the Hypo was around 2:24, then at the Millarville half on June 16th 2012 it was 2:22, and then at the Dinosaur Half in Sept it was 2:28 (hilly and gravel roads mostly) then my last half was Kelowna and my time was 2:14, my personal best and a time I don't ever feel like I need to best EVER.

I have gone to a minimal shoe called an Altra Instinct, it's a mens shoe, but it fits me great and I've been very happy that Pete Larson of Runblogger.com encouraged me to give them a try.  Best. Shoe. Ever.  It has a wide toe box, I always wear injinji socks to keep my toes from getting blisters, and they seem to really enjoy being able to move around and splay out inside this great shoe.  The sole is thicker than the Hattoris I was wearing, as well as the vibrams.  I ran Millarville in Hattoris, and the rest in my Altras. I bought a mens size 9 to give me room for a thick sock in winter, but I just love them for the roomy fit in the toe without feeling like they're sliding all over the place as I run.

I joined the half marathon clinics put on by the Running Room, a local running store with locations all over Canada.  Overall I feel like this is a great way to get used to the half marathon distance, and meet some great running buddies...I would say that meeting the running buddies is more important than the actual clinic instruction because running is a social activity for me mostly.  I have met some of the nicest people in the running clinics, and I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to become socially connected and make friends while doing some great exercise.

I decided to take the plunge and join a marathon clinic.  My goal race is the Maui Oceanfront Marathon and it's on Jan 20/2013.  My first 26k run is tomorrow morning....in the cold, ice and snow.  Maybe I am crazy...

I'll tell you one thing tho, running has become soooo much easier now that I'm fat adapted...no carbs for this runner.  It's pretty sweet seeing the 1-2 lb fat loss after a 2-3 hour run... My fuel in the morning is a spoon of coconut oil. On hot runs I would bring it with me mixed with realsalt, which is mineral salt to replenish electrolytes lost by sweat. There's not a lot of sweating in a minus 10C run...so it's not needed. Just water.