track fan

January 12, 2025

15% off for Fast Running Blog members at St. George Running Center!

Location:

Tucson,AZ,USA

Member Since:

Aug 30, 2007

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Age Division Winner

Running Accomplishments:

PR's

5K: 21:26 (2005)

4 mile: 28:10 (2005)

10K: 43:33 (2010)

10 mile: 1:13:35 (2009) (1:12:15 split in 1/2 marathon, 2011)

1/2 marathon: 1:34:31 (2011)

marathon: 3:19:15 (2013)

Short-Term Running Goals:

~~3:20 marathon - Eugene Marathon, April 28, 2013 (can I say I really want a sub 3:20? but I will be happy with 3:20-3:23)~~ -- whoohoo!

~~Some good intermediate races 15K - 1/2 marathon, to gauge my fitness level~~ (done this, hit a 1:34:35 1/2 marathon in March 2013, on a hilly course)

Going after my 10 mile PR in Fall 2013

Maybe some good 10K races after the infernal Arizona summer is over!

Long-Term Running Goals:

I want to be one of those runners who is still running in their 80s (or 90s?). You know the ones, who look all grisley and fit? That is what I would like! Until then, I just want to work hard and be as fast as I can, for as long as I can.

Personal:

50 year old, trying to defy gravity and time

Used to be faculty at the University of Arizona (biostatistics). Currently manager of the statistics and data management group for companion diagnostics (biomarkers) at Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. (Roche diagnostics). We evaluate protein biomarkers that can be used to direct drug therapy that would be most effective based on individual characteristics (personalized medicine).

Favorite Blogs:

Click to donate

to Ukraine's Armed Forces

Miles:	This week:	0.00	Month:	0.00	Year:	0.00

Mon, Apr 13, 2009

Easy Miles	Threshold Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Track speed mileage	Hill mileage	Total
0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00

Interesting discussion with Greg last night that sounded a lot like my discussions with Dean. Dean has had to listen to all my stress, worries, and "thinking way too much" about my upcoming marathon for the past month. Poor guy, he is a sweety for being so patient.

Anyway ... it is unanamous from everyone (but me until last night) that even though it is likely I am in 3:25-3:26 "shape" I most likely won't go out any faster than 3:30 pace for the first 16-18 miles. Since this is my first marathon I have to keep my priorities in view: 1) finish the race, 2) run under 3:30, 3) learn a lot so I can run at least one more marathon (finish happy so I want to run another marathon).

I hope to be able to negative split by a whole lot, but I need to make sure that I am able to hit at least two of my goals. Greg says it is hard to learn from a marathon when you confound the experience by going out too fast and dying at the end. You can't really tell what were your strengths and weaknesses were in the race and where you would like to modify your training ... speed? endurance? So, I will be trying to "smell the flowers, enjoy the experience, etc.". He hopes I am antsy by the 1/2 -- but not to actually start to move ahead until 16 or 18. My hope of all hopes is that I hit the finish line, pleased with my performance (under 3:30?) and wishing I had started out faster!! Regardless, if I hit the finish line and it is slower than I would like, I need to be pleased with my performance (since I have done everything I could possibly do to have a good race) and work harder for next time!

There, it is in writing, now I just have to implement it!

We also modified my upcoming weeks of training to work less on VO2 max stuff and more getting me to find MP better.

Happy Monday bloggers.

I am very happy enjoying my full day of work without worrying about how I am going to fit two runs in ... though I generally don't feel "good" on these days, I find recovery days to be pretty hard.

Comments

From Carolyn in Colorado on Mon, Apr 13, 2009 at 13:09:38 from 198.241.217.15

Thanks for sharing your discussion with Greg. I'm really going to have to think about what you wrote. It's kind of the opposite of what Sasha told me to do, and I've got to decide whose philosophy I'm going to follow and what approach I'm going to take.

From Bonnie on Mon, Apr 13, 2009 at 13:22:10 from 128.196.228.134

Well, as I said before ... it is all trial and error. This might fail miserably for me ... but it plays on my strength of finishing faster than I start. I do it on my training runs, I have done it most of my races for the past 2 years, and it seems to work for me. Everyone is different. I have to say that Sasha's advice pretty much goes against everything I have ever read, but he has a lot of personal experience and he has run with you - and pushed you through some impressive paces.

From Snoqualmie on Mon, Apr 13, 2009 at 13:22:38 from 67.171.56.164

This is very interesting, Bonnie. I wonder, does Greg know we are all getting benefits from him? Tell him thanks from a hanger-on. ;)

All in all, I think it is a wise strategy. (Carolyn, I understand your dilemma. You've had Sasha's input face to face, so only you can decide what is best. And I know you'll have a blast either way!) I will quote (roughly, because I cannot remember the exact) my beloved Deena, who said that the marathon is not like any other distance. Of course, you've experienced some pretty long runs and your training is so awesome. But you don't *know* until you know. Sorry, but I don't know how else to put it. After tapering, when you're in those post-warmup, pre-exhaustion miles (for me, 5-16), everything is going to feel so incredible -- like you could do it all day, like you are immortal. It "doth not signify." If anyone has the True Grit to finish fast, it's you. So it makes sense to set it up that way. I think your goals are right on! I'm so happy for you, because I know you are going to have a great time and learn so much.

From Lucia on Mon, Apr 13, 2009 at 15:29:36 from 74.9.147.114

Ohhh Dean this, Dean that :) ha ha...

You'll do great, and you are amazing!

From Maria on Mon, Apr 13, 2009 at 17:07:36 from 90.192.241.26

Bonnie, I'm so impressed with your build up to the marathon. Barring some unexpected circumstance, you should do great. Your plan of starting conservatively is a sound one. You will have a great experience if you run negative splits. You may be able to do 3:25 even if you start on 3:30 pace. I was able to run even splits in Rotterdam off of only 55 miles a week at peak, and it was as good experience as could be, given 85F weather and the whole marathon being cancelled in the middle! Your training has been much stronger than mine was, so you really have nothing to worry about, except your hydration and carbs intake (but I'm sure you have a plan for that). Again, very impressive training!

From Bonnie on Mon, Apr 13, 2009 at 17:10:10 from 128.196.228.134

MARIA!!! I have been missing you so much. I was planning on emailing you this week -- I have been worried. Thank you for your encouragement. It has been a long haul I have to say! I did finally PR in the 1/2 which was my impetus for trying a marathon, but I don't know if I will be "a marathoner" after this!! Are you going to catch us up on your blog or do I need to email you offline??

From Maria on Mon, Apr 13, 2009 at 18:32:13 from 90.192.241.26

Bonnie, I've been planning to update my blog for weeks now. I will try to do it today, now that you mentioned it! The truth is, there is nothing exciting in my running. Thanks for remembering me, though :).

Add Your Comment.

Keep it family-safe. No vulgar or profane language. To discourage anonymous comments of cowardly nature, your IP address will be logged and posted next to your comment.
Do not respond to another person's comment out of context. If he made the original comment on another page/blog entry, go to that entry and respond there.
If all you want to do is contact the blogger and your comment is not connected with this entry and has no relevance to others, send a private message instead.

Debt Reduction Calculator

Featured Announcements

Most Recent Entries:

New Kids on the Blog
(need a welcome):

Lone Faithfuls
(need a comment):

Recent Comments: