Well, one week left to the day.

I’ve decided that training for a marathon is easily more mental than physical, at least for me. My will to run long distance fades mentally long before it does physically. Here are the three things I think I did wrong during my training:

• I trained almost completely alone, and ran all my longest distances totally alone
• I did the Hal Higdon intermediate marathon training program, and fell short of the target miles every week except the first. I simply chose a program I couldn’t fully commit to. I should have done the beginner’s program, in spite of the fact I’ve run over a half dozen half marys.
• I never got to the 20 mile run. The furthest I have gone has been 17 miles. I felt great at the end, but I think I may have “rounded off” and thought, “well if I can do 17, I can do 20. If I can do 20, I can do 26.” That same approach got me in trouble in my first-ever half marathon. Of course, I’m in way better shape than I was then.
• I have run at a way faster pace than my marathon target pace. I’m not sure if that’s gonna hurt or help, but I’m used to running sub 10’s all the time, when my target is a 10:18 pace.

So, having said all this, I’m actually changing my entire race strategy. The way I figure it, I’m gonna be toast by mile 20 no matter what. Given that, I’m actually shooting for getting to mile 18 in less than 3 hours. Basically, I’m going to go as far and as briskly as I can, figuring that I’d rather be toast at mile 20 in 3 hours, 18 minutes rather than be toast at mile 20 in 3 hours, 40 minutes. I’m planning to go as far as “fresh” legs can take me. In actuality, even if I did my 20 milers (2 of them in the Higdon program), I’d still have no idea what to expect after Manayunk.

I have some family coming down, a number of friends, and 2 buddies who I believe are planning to ride their bikes ahead, giving me fuel all along the course. I hope that works out, because I’m gonna need it.

New Mizunos came this Friday and have a total of 6 miles on them. This has been the best running year yet, and I’ve destroyed every PR by several minutes, Broad Street by 14 minutes. Deena Kastor wrote me this year, I’ve logged over 700 miles, and I’m on the verge of doing something I could’ve sworn I’d never do. I guess I’ve already succeeded in some respects.

Notwithstanding anything unusual happening, look for the update on 19. November, 2007.

1. I hope all went well with the marathon. I know how hard you have worked and I admire your determination. Cheers!

   Posted by Brenda Inselman | November 18, 2007, 11:32 pm