B 4017

Woot! I received my confirmation ticket and participant guide today for the Chicago Marathon! As always, I like to assess whether my number is a "good" number. Indeed! I think it is!! :)

I am really starting to geek out about my race and race strategy. But my guess is that you already know that given how much I have been updating my blog lately.

Last night, I was commenting on Cindi's blog and offered some advice on pacing. This, of course, got me to thinking about my own race and my own strategy. My best marathon performance by far was in the Grand Rapids Marathon in 2007.

I did Grand Rapids just 3 weeks after a sub-par performance in Twin Cities thanks to the oppressive heat and humidity. I had never attempted anything as crazy as 2 marathons in 3 weeks, so I was very wary going into it. My goal for that season was 3:25 and I really thought it was within reach. But, jumping into another mary after Twin Cities was frankly a bit scary and I really couldn't afford to mentally blow up. You see, in 2007 I trained my butt off for Boston and ran a sub-par race thanks to an unprecedented Nor 'Easter. Then, I bumped it up another notch for Twin Cities and it was 85 degrees. I couldn't jump into another one and blow up again.

So I decided to be very conservative. And it totally paid off. I went out at an 8 minute/mile pace (3:30). I have never felt so good at 20 miles and ended up finishing with lots of 7:40s and 7:30s. Huge negative split for a 3:26. It was a great race and I did not feel like I left a single thing out on the course. I gave it all I had and finished really strong.

Since Grand Rapids, I have taken a shot at 3:25 four more times. I came close at the Illinois Marathon with a 3:27 and I PRed in Chicago 2009 by a few seconds, but that race simply did not compare to the strength I felt in Grand Rapids.

Why am I rambling about this? Because I know I need to be smarter with my pacing strategy. I ALWAYS say I am going to start out the first few miles slow and I NEVER do it. Never. In fact, I am usually a bit fast. So this year - I am saying it outloud - I am going to do better and take the first few miles slower than goal marathon pace. Does this mean I might not hit my 3:25? Of course. But this time, an equally key goal for this race is to negative split. I used to do it all the time. And I will tell you, I don't care what your finishing time is, a negative split when you race a marathon = very successful race.

I am also starting to focus on my taper. [YAY TAPER!!] For my best races, I have reduced my mileage beyond what Pfitz recommends, and he is a big advocate of a solid taper. My most successful races followed substantial tapers after high mileage training. Typically, when I boost up the miles, I start feeling it. No injuries, but aches, pains and twinges. And I need to make sure I fully recover prior to hitting the start line.

Currently, my hammies are tight, my R hip is annoyed and my heels are sore (no doubt because my calves are tight). I gifted myself with the foam roller today, but I know the real medicine I need is recovery (read: less miles). So I tweaked my schedule a bit and re-read Pfitz's taper advice.

I am getting excited!!

Oh yeah - fitness report: I ran 8.5 slow recovery miles today. It was gorgeous outside and a nice easy run. Now I am carbing up a bit and getting ready for my last 20 miler tomorrow.