Sunday, March 22

Boston Marathon (4-weeks out)

Disappointment. I recognize that this may come across as overly critical, but I don’t think my expectations were unrealistic. Note: In 2007, I finished in 1:15:29.

My race plan was simple. Having run an uncharacteristically sluggish 1:21:29 at the First Half in February, I wanted to complete the Comox Half Marathon feeling strong and in control. My goal was to run 3:44 – 3:41 km/pace, hoping to finish between 1:18:46 – 1:17:43. Faster if luck would have it.

Within the first 500m, a pack of about seven runners settled nice behind the first main chase group. We opened quickly but given it was slightly uphill, and the second kilometer slow, I wonder if the markers were off. Regardless by about 4k, we had reeled in three runners as Walter, Steve and I traded positions at the front. Heading into the hills (6 – 9km), I pulled away from the group with only Walter and Steve able to join. Reflecting back, I think I ran these hills too hard, as on the return trip wasn’t fully able to take advantage of the downhill sections and watched my two companions quickly open up a gap that I wasn’t able to close.

3:38, 3:49, 3:36, 3:43, 3:42 (18:30)
3:53, 3:48, 3:58, 3:52, 3:44 (19:18)
3:47, 3:48, 3:35, 3:28, 3:41 (18:22)
3:39, 3:46, 3:49, 3:48, 3:47 (18:51)
3:56

Results here.

If I look for a positive aspect, I felt comfortable for almost the first half (8k) and was able to negative split by almost a minute. As for Boston, I’ve now readjusted my goal with a solid performance bringing me across the line around 2:45:40. More tomorrow.

Training:
Thursday: steady 47:50
Friday: 27:54 with 10xstrides
Saturday: 17:33
Sunday: easy 1:58:43 with Comox Half Marathon 1:18:58

Weekly mileage: 5h04’18”, +/- 71k or 45 miles

6 comments:

Grellan said...

A very solid performance in my book Michael. 12 seconds outside your target range for 21 km is hardly a trigger for readjusting your Boston goal especially if you think pushing the hills between 6 & 9 km cost you time later.

BTW what was your Boston goal before the race?

Love2Run said...

Goals to the second but you were close to being on target right? My time goals have 5 minute windows! Take it easy now.

MB said...

you could've used a few more faster runners in that race to push you along--no doubt Boston will have them!

Looks like I'll be lucky to catch your draft come Marathon Monday

Mike said...

I'd consider that a very good performance - 2.5 minutes faster than the last one. That's a nice improvement in such a short amount of time.

I imagine you'll have a little extra adrenaline in Boston starting up front in such a prestigious race. If you can harness that, I'm sure you'll set a great time out there.

Thomas said...

12 seconds outside your target window doesn't sound like too much a disaster to me, especially with the improvement from the last one.

You should sound out your coach about re-adjusting your Boston target first.

Michael said...

Thanks for the comments, I do believe that I can be overly critical at times.

Grellan, I haven’t talked detailed with Jon yet, but I was “hoping” to run as close to 2h40 as possible. Realistically, I think 2h45 would be a great race. I’ll let you know once I have the conversation.

Mike, you’re right. I had forgotten that I knocked off almost 2.5’ in 5 weeks. Some rest, higher quality running and adrenaline should do wonders. Less than four weeks!