Of Mice and Marathons

So then, laddie, talk us through how you see this little marathon thing going. I've sent my prediction to Joe:)

I see it going well, Bam :)

The idea is to start slow as much as possible. Not much sense to hit the first mile faster than 6:45-6:50. I'll be in the top finishers most likely, so I will be patient and watch people go out too fast for what they trained for.

The A goal is sub-2:55. On a flat course I would need to have a pretty good day to do this I think (but one never knows). On an aided course it might sound conservative, but I'm going to work into it rather than trying to run on pace for 21 miles and drag my body the rest of the way. Given my tempos and workouts 6:38-6:40 pace is sensible I think.

A few things here. 1). Tangents should be in my favor given the point-to-point. 2) Not get too excited on the hills at 8 and 9. I expect those splits to be as slow 7:15 or 7:20 given the elevation gain 3) On the flip side, not get too excited if on the big downhills I'm flashing well into the 6:20s.

A hair under 1:28 for the first half and gradually work the downhills in a relaxed manner. I imagine things may get faster than the planned 6:35 pace second half.

Even John Steinbeck would love this scheme/[plan]:) it's well laid:)

It's well thought out and if you stick to it, I'm sure you'll tank the last 6 miles.

You've done all the hard work now and what I liked was the long run you did recently where you took it close to the edge:) that should come in to play and help you in the closing miles - if, you stick to your plan.

I still did not do my long runs consistently enough. To do the marathon well at my level you probably need to do weekly runs of 2 hours (~16 miles) and 18-22+ most weeks. Last buildup I didn't go over 19.5 and I think I paid dearly for it. This buildup I did 20, 21.25, 22.3, and 24 as well as 3 or 4 runs that were 18-19 miles. That 24 miler a few weeks ago was mystical . . . and I fell and my leg was bleeding for 16 miles :)

Oh, you poor crator - you're such a ruffty-tuffty hunk of a boy:) Grrrr... easy tiger:)