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