Reflections of Boston II
Having run, and suffered through a marathon only a week ago, and then (foolishly) paced a friend during a local 10k yesterday, I’ve promised myself that I would set aside some time to recover. Today I kept my promise… my calves would have it no other way.A few days ago I wrote to Jon regarding my thoughts on Boston, I’ve yet to hear his perspective but the exercise helped crystallize my own view. My four observations:
(1) a relatively quick 2nd and 3rd mile (5:58 and 6:06) probably contributed to me not being able to find an early comfortable rhythm;
(2) my stomach was unsettled, a Gu at 5-miles didn’t help, it’s time a nail down a proper race nutrition strategy (thoughts welcomed);
(3) this is perhaps the straw that broke the camels back… with an upset stomach and a uncomfortable stride, I don’t know that I was prepared to hurt, I didn’t want the race; and
(4) those hills that people told me not to worry about, definitely should be of concern, both the ups and the downs.
Oh, and conceivably an observation that I didn’t expect but one that was gladly welcomed… I love racing and I ‘do not’ like underperforming. A fire has been lit.
Training: day off (scheduled)
6 comments:
Sounds like the next marathon is going to get some serious payback.
Running a 10k wasn't the smartest move ever though, even if you didn't do your race pace.
I remember asking your for fuelling advice on Saturday. Maybe I should have reconsidered. ;-)
My observation:
You have done decently and you have done not as well as you wished, like Boston and the heat of London. You have log books right?
What did you do preparing for the good ones that differed? I know sounds almost silly pointing it out, but you should pore over the differences rather than generally reflecting by memory. I don't know if you are doing that (reflecting) ...but just in case....
You have the ability to go under 2:40:00 for sure.
Re nutrition. Al I can say is that you need to practice in your long efforts exactly what you plan to do on race day. From what you eat a couple of hours before (And even the days before) and during the race.
That way there is little decision making regarding this come race day, you just do what you have been doing in training with the knowledge that it works.
In my experience if the stomach is unsettled early on, then taking a Gu on the fly will never help. I think even if you were gunning for sub 2:40, throwing a sub-6 at mile 2 just is too risky. Were you trying to bank time, or just got carried away by the downhills & energy? Not only did it hamper your stride--not giving you time to ease into a monster pace--it didn't give your stomach time to adjust to the rigors of the race. That's why I don't agree totally with the philosophy of just repeating the nutrition plan from long runs. Only if you ran all out should one repeat the same nutrition plan from a training run. During a race, you've got to do things differently, because all the blood is being diverted to the muscles and none is left over for digestion...unless you start at a pace that allows for your fitness level/phsyiology to process that Gu at mile 5. I know you know all this, because you are an elite runner, but thanks for listening anyway, I wrote it for my own benefit, to try and apply if for myself!
The funny thing is that all of us, you, Hicham and myself, had great training leading into Boston and then unfulfilled races. I really do wonder how much the travel and time zone shift plays a role in it? Does that mean we start our runs at 7:00am out here to get our bodies ready for running at that time? Or do we spend a week in Boston to be acclimatized to the time and weather? It may not be the case, but the the similarities between our races, a year apart, is eerie.
Better luck next time with the fueling. Definitely something you want to rehearse before race day. Sub-2:40 is well within reach.
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