Harrisburg Marathon Preparation through October 21st.

Wow.  I can't believe I'm already down to the final two weeks of preparation before taper-week hits for the race on November 9th.  Running has been going pretty well since I've really turned it up after the Pittsburgh Great Race 10k.  Two weeks ago, my big run was a 16-miler that took about 1:52.  Not too shabby, but also not good enough to net a 3:00 marathon.  My aunt has been trying to qualify for Boston for years and would give her right leg to run 16 miles in that time, so I feel guilty complaining about it.

In some ways that makes me nervous, and it some ways it makes me feel like I'm about where I should be.  I'll elaborate:  It makes me nervous because 16 miles isn't even two-thirds of the way through the race and I'm already off the pace that I need.  It makes me feel like that's okay because I did the run with nothing to drink and nothing to eat during, which is obviously different from the marathon where you get aid stations every two miles or so and you get to pop a handful of gels throughout the day.  I'm also okay with it because it was a run that I did in the usual grind of a training week.  It was probably one of two workouts for the day and I had probably been working out for a few days straight already at that point.  Considering these things, maybe I'll be okay, but I don't have heaps of experience with this yet so it's hard to stay calm.  Plus, I'd like to think you always run faster in a race.  I'm sure it's for a variety of reasons, but I know it's the case.  

Last week was a pretty big mileage week.  I hit about 40, which is a lot for me.  I know I could run a lot more per week if all I was doing was running, but I also had three bike rides and some time in the pool.  I also know that there are plenty of people who put a lot more time into running when they're getting ready for a marathon, but I feel like this is quite a lot considering I'm pretty sure I maybe hit 40 miles in a week once during my training for Richmond last year.  Maybe.  I think that was about the third week since the week of the Milton Harvest Festival 5k that I've done 40+.

This week is going to be a big week and I feel that if I can get through having done all of my planned workouts, I'll be ready for the race.  I might get up to 40 for the week again, but the centerpiece of this week is a 20-mile run on Friday.  I've never run that far just for a training run, not even getting ready for Richmond.  But after the Boston Massacre, I just want to make sure that at least the endurance is there.  Saturday, I have to make myself run.  I don't care how far and I'm sure it will hurt, but having done it will give me a lot of confidence in my mental preparation.  I should also be swimming that day.  I'm sure I'll collapse Sunday evening after the long bike ride I have planned, but if I rest up after that, I'll be ready!

That's about it for this week.  Perhaps I'll give another update at the end of this week or early next to give more of an idea of how it's going.  Again, thanks for tuning in and until next time...

Cheers!