This week, I managed to finally trudge through a trial half marathon. The week’s breakdown:

• Tuesday, Sept. 9, 9 miles
• Thursday, Sept. 11, 13.5 miles

Total: 22.5 miles. The 13-miler wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it might be. In fact, I had originally set out to do nine, and just kept going. That was a bit of a surprise to me, because the nine-miler just two days earlier had left my knee in a grumpy state.

I regret not setting a timer, as I do now for most runs. I did the whole 13.5 in about two hours. Subtracting time for that extra four-tenths, and I estimate 1:57 (maybe :56). Two hours was my baseline goal; I would have been happier with 1:50, but I can work on time later. I’m just thrilled I pulled through.

Three cheers also for the new Nikes. Served me well, and were still comfortable after all those miles.