Running by the river

I've been running for several years, but mostly short distances. However, I have decided to do a half marathon in May, the American River Parkway Half Marathon.. That's 13.1 miles. That's a long way. I have heard from other runners, who all think I can do this, that the difference between training for this and training for something short distance is pretty straightforward. In addition to the normal runs and other workouts during the week, you simply add a long run on the weekend. So I've been doing that, gradually increasing the length of the run. I want to get it to a two hour run by the middle of March. This weekend, I did a one hour run. For those who know the area, I ran through Fair Oaks village, down to the American River, across the Fair Oaks bridge, and then on upstream along the river, until I got to Nimbus Fish Hatchery by Hazel Avenue and then back again. I'm not fast, so I think it's overall under six miles. But it was a good run. Yesterday was the most lovely day so far this year weather-wise. After several weeks of rain, it was clear and warm (at least for January). The American River Parkway trail is very popular and because of the great weather, there were lots of people running and biking, and also people in the river fishing.

So I plan to keep up this schedule, gym workouts four or five times a week and a long run on the weekend, probably always by the American River. I am also hoping to recruit a team of runners (other than Ashling) to do the half marathon!