Ogden Marathon Racing Strategy

[AndyBrowning]

With the talk of Ogden being a DNF trap, it got me thinking about what the best strategy is for the marathon.  Both times that I have run it, I hit the wall just before the dam and could not take advantage of the downhill coming down the canyon.  What is the best strategy for the Ogden marathon?

[Paul Petersen]

Relax the first 18 miles. Run hard the last 6.

[Jon Allen]

Yup.  Or at least run easy through the top of the hill (mile 14 or 15?), then start picking up speed.

[Paul Petersen]

Did some digging...I wrote this back in 2007, two days before I won Ogden. I still stand by it:

http://marathongis.com/blog/?p=67

I ran a negative split in '05 and an even split in '07 with this general strategy.

[AndyBrowning]

Thanks Paul.  That is exactly what I was looking for.  Now I just need to figure out what kind of shape I am in.

[Jose Jimenez]

Thanks for the blog entry Paul.  I have readjusted my strategy for the race.  I think my assumptions for the first eight miles were too fast.  I lowered the pace on my first eight in hopes for more energy in the last eight.  I was already planning for a slow 8-17.  I guess we'll find out in about a week and half how it goes...