Changing Focus

I've been reading the book on marathons & half-marathons.  While I do think I could train for the marathon, the more sensible goal is to target the half-marathon first.  I am going to use the program that gets you up to speed to run a half-marathon in 26 weeks.  It just so happens that this will pretty much take me right up to the Long Island Marathon and Half-Marathon, which is scheduled for May 1, 2011.  A half a year to slowly lose the weight and gain the stamina seems about right.

So today after work I did 38 minutes.  5 minute warm up walk, then 28 minutes of run/walk in 2 minute intervals, with a 5 minute walk at the end to cool down. 

I was in so much pain tonight.  In fact, I was really discouraged for the first 20 minutes.  I have very painful shin splints that actually hurt more while I am walking then jogging.  After about 20 minutes I got into a little groove for the final15 minutes.  But I did have to put ice on my lower legs when I came home.  My right knee is also aching and my lower back. 

I guess I am now understanding what getting old really does.  Mentally, I still feel like a dopey 20 year old who can do anything.  But when I am 10 minutes into a walk/jog and my back, knee, and both shins are aching, I guess I can't ignore the fact that I am not a kid anymore.

I guess I need to look into a better pair of running shoes.  Something more designed for me.  Gee, does Nike make a Land Monster model?