Monday, November 12, 2012

Marathon Monday: Readiness?

Well, another week of training completed.  I am now supposedly pretty much "ready" for my first marathon in 3 weeks.. just a few weeks of easy running and I will be ready to go.  I honestly am having feelings of doubt about that... Does running 20 miles once really mean I can run 26.2 on race day?  I want to finish in a good time on race day but most importantly I want to finish feeling like I ran strong and enjoyed the race...

This last weeks training in review:
Tuesday: 5.2
Wednesday: 10.5
Thursday: 5
Saturday: 20 miles (personal record)
  Total for the week: 40.7 (new personal high)

The 20 mile run was intimidating to say the least, but it went much better than I was expecting honestly.  I decided to try out my new fuel (keeping it under wraps til after the marathon, hoping not to jinx myself) and my new hand-held because I think its what I want to use for the marathon (worked well).  Once I actually got out there and got started I felt strong... for the first time ever I ran 13.1 miles, every step without needing a bathroom or walk break!  That was an amazing feeling.  (I have run every step once, and not used the restroom once, but this was the first time not needing either.)

I am allowed to look bad, I just ran 20 miles!
After my bathroom break at 13.1 miles it was really hard to get back into the rhythm, but I struggled and did the best I could - I told myself to run to "point x" when I would get there, then I would pick a point further ahead.  This worked til just after mile 15 when I had to walk some - mile 16 was my worst split of the day.  After my bathroom stop at 18.3 miles, I found it even harder to get the legs back into rhythm, but thats when I got tough with myself.  After a few walk breaks and a few struggles to get my legs moving I told myself "run to x" and then you can walk.... of course by the time I got there, I was less than a mile from done and I had gotten back into the flow of running so I just kept running!  I had to laugh, as I was running that last mile I passed a couple ladies and they joked "we will just drift in behind you" and I sort of huffed and puffed "I may not make it much further, I am at about 19.4 miles"  they asked how far are you running.  Can you guess what my answer was?  "ONLY 20 miles."  WHO AM I?   Although, I am sure it was because that meant ONLY another half mile or so, still... who says "only 20 miles.. "

I am pretty proud of my splits except for a few, but overall.. not bad:



ANYONE HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON PACE TEAMS?!?!
I am trying to decide whether to run with a pace team or on my own...

2 comments:

  1. Wow, great job on your 20 mile run! You're going to be so fast for your first marathon.

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  2. Haha... only 20 miles. You're a hoot!

    You're going to be amazing!!

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