For this race, the main focus of my fear is the five hour time limit. From what I have heard, the race officiants are very strict about cutting people off precisely at the five-hour mark. My long runs, as I time them right now, have me finishing this race in almost exactly five hours....and that doesn't include any unforeseen mishaps, stopping to pee, etc. I am debating about running with a pace group that is slightly faster than five hours, so I will have a cushion of time. The great thing about this race is that they seem to have a pacer for every five-minute interval, so if I need to slow down or speed up, hopefully a new group will be somewhere nearby. I was thinking, maybe the 4:45 group? That might be a little ambitious though, I'm feeling very unsure....In my first marathon, I just wanted ti finish, and with a seven-hour time limit, I knew that, even clutching a broken limb and limping across the finish line I could have [eventually] finished. Now, I am very concerned that I'll be so close and just won't be able to pick up the pace enough to not get swept....
My second reason for being a bundle of nerves is probably something that will never go away....the eternal question: Have I trained enough? I think I will probably always ask this before a full marathon. I don't think I'm alone, I bet a lot of runners do. Because, no matter how hard I've worked, or what I've done to prepare, there's always that feeling that I could have--and should have--done more. I could have logged more miles, done more speed work, have eaten a more nutritious diet, done more strength training, even rested more. Am I ready? That question won't be answered I guess until Saturday afternoon, after the race is over.
Anyway, below is my plan for the week. It sounds like a lot when it's written down, but it's mostly the same as what I did the week before my last marathon. Also, if I'm feeling sore or weary, I may cut out somethings Wednesday and Thursday:
Monday (today): Spin (45min.) and BodyPump (60min.) Normal Exertion.
Tuesday: Abs (15min) and short run 3miles. Slow/light exertion.
Wednesday: Abs (15min) BodyPump* (60min) and Spinning* (60min.) Light Exertion.
Thursday: Abs* (15min) and mini-run 1-2miles*. Slow/light exertion.
Friday: Rest
Saturday: RACE DAY!
*can be eliminated if I feel tired or like I might be overworking muscles.
Hey! Thanks for following my blog. I'm excited to start following yours too and to see how your upcoming marathon goes... Don't be nervous- I'm sure you will do GREAT!
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, I think I may actually take the title of most nervous! I am pacing the 4:20 group and I am really scared I'm going to screw up because I'm so wiped out from this stupid cold.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I have some bad news that is probably going to make you more nervous (sorry!): according to our pacing roster, we actually only go up to 4:30. There is no one signed up to pace after that, unless they got added to the roster and it hasn't been updated (last update was two weeks ago). I think you will still be TOTALLY FINE, but just wanted to make sure you're not relying on a group. That said, the 4:30 group is being led by my awesome friend Cowboy Jeff (he's run hundreds of marathons and always wears a cowboy hat for each one!).
If it's not absolutely freezing cold AND if my legs aren't totally dead, I can maybe try to come back from the finish and run the last mile or so with you? But if not, I remember there being a decent amount of crowd support in the last mile.
Oh wow--really? That will probably be okay. I signed up alone, so running without a group will be part of the experience. It will just mean I'll just have to pay more attention to my time, instead of letting someone else handle that for my lazy self. haha.
ReplyDeleteAs for the pacing, I'm sure you will be fine too! Just use the next 60 hours or so to rest up and try to shake off as much of the high endurance weekend as you can. If you feel game to come back and run the last mile, you're MORE than welcome! (Maybe it will become inexplicably warm!)