Real David H.

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“Running just to run” had its 15 minutes of fame this year for me, but now it’s time for me to take all these feelings from throughout the year and last weekend at the Runner’s World Fesival and FOCUS on an “A” goal. 

It’s no secret that I want to run a sub 1:40 half marathon. Ever since I broke 1:45 at my very first Shamrock Half in 2007, that’s been THE goal for me to go after. I came close one time — missing by just 48 seconds in 2012 — but I’ve been (really) far from it since then. 

I’ve had more than enough time to figure out why that’s the case, but it generally boils down to poor training and an assumption that it would just happen because it’s my favorite race. 

If I’m going to run below 1:40 in a half marathon, the work has to start now. I have to begin mixing up my workouts more and incorporating more speedwork. I have to eat a little bit better. I need to get more sleep. I have to run smarter and with more focus. I need to do more cross training. 

Simply put, I have to do a lot of little things right. 

As I approach the last two months of the year, I am putting aside my goal of running 1,000 miles for the year. I may very well get there, but I can’t focus on that. The goal doesn’t feel important right now as I would rather focus on my long-term goal of a half marathon PR. 

Ending the year healthy and happy with my running takes precedence over anything else. And I believe this approach will be what I have to do to make the Shamrock Half great again.