Alright here I am--48 hours before showtime. No run today! All that stands between me and the big M is a dinky little two miler tomorrow sometime. I still have a cold, but it is not a bad one. Nothing but positive thoughts from here out! I'm just going to get out there and have a good time, and run like I'm free! I'm going to break this race up mentally the same way I did last time--into 5 sections--4x5-mile sections followed by a 10k.
Update: In an attempt to calm my nerves I have gone back and carefully reviewed my training. I noticed that while my long runs and MP runs were very strong throughout, my speedwork has not been spectacular. This tells me that I have to be very very careful not to run too close to my threshold. In other words, if I want my 3:15 then it is IMPERATIVE that I run fairly even splits and do not go out too fast. If I go out too fast then my second half has big disaster potential. So I am thinking I should go out ultra conservative, maybe 7:30/miles for the first 5 mile chunk, move to target 7:25 pace for the next 15 miles, and then hammer down in the last 10k. No trying to put minutes in the bank! If I shave off time it needs to be in the last 10k while I buckle down. Regardless, if I don't have the steam to hammer it in the last 10k, I should at least have the steam to maintain and get a 3:15--if I play it safe in the first half.
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