2010 Goal of Sub 3:00 marathon (Read 2578 times)

Hi

Looks like I'm out for a month now with my Achilles injury.  Last month I took two weeks off hoping that would be enough to allow me some easy mileage.  Last week I did four runs less than three miles each and easy paced.  At the end of the week, my Achilles was worse than it started.  I'm going to need to be completely off running for awhile and give the Achilles all the time it needs to get better.  I'm continuing to do my stretches and probably bring out my wife's bike from the garage and ride that.  I'm really hoping by the summer I can get back to regular training.

When I signed up for the Kaiser SF 1/2 last Dec, I was hoping for sub 1:27.  My training is not back on track for the last 1.5 months, so a few days ago, I reset my goal to sub 1:28. 

But last night, I only had 1.5 hours of sleep.  I am super sensitive to caffeine.  I suspect that the decaf latte that I got from McCafe yesterday evening wasn't a real decaf.  Couldn't fall asleep until 2:30 but had to get up at 4am to get prepared for this race.

So, I was just hoping for a PR.

I doped with caffeine a bit.  Took a caffienated gel before the race.  My legs felt tired in the first few miles.  But when I got to the downhill portion, I was able to pick up a little.  Starting from mile 7 on the Great Highway, it was very boring.  Just wide straight road with no end in sight both way.  A lot of people were behind me so I didn't get the benefit of the tail wind from mile 7 to 10.  But once we made the u-turn, everyone became single file.  The wind was so strong.  It was brutal.

I managed to HTFU and did ok, finishing with 1:27:47, a 1 min 3 sec PR.
Splits are as follows:
1) 6:46
2) 6:40
3) 6:32
4) 6:51
5) 6:47
6) 6:17
7) 6:25
8-) 6:40
9) 6:55 (marker position was wrong, this mile was long)
10) 6:19 (marker position was wrong, so this mile was short
11) 6:54 (gusty head wind)
12) 6:56 (gusty head wind)

Last 1.1 7:39 (gusty head wind + ~0.5 mile uphill)

 

I have ways to go before I can realistically attempt sub 3.  But I still have time.  My goal race is in Oct.  8.5 more months!

 

Quote from jordirio on 2/7/2010 at 4:46 PM:

 

Tu puedes hacerlo!! Vaya con Dios!

Yikes...dnf. 

 

Felt really good through the halfway point (1:24:5something).  Between 14 and 15 the wheels fell off, so I pulled the plug.  My training was well below where it needed to be, but I have a six week old, so I have no regrets about that.  Running-wise, I got what I deserved.

 

Going to take a week of two of R&R and then maybe shoot for something marathon-ish in October, we'll see.

Good luck to the rest of you!

Thanks for your comments ChakaKhan and Kencamet

Quote from altmizzle on 2/8/2010 at 4:46 PM:

 

Thanks for being a good example of what not to do because it is thru you that I learn more perhaps than from watching someone run 70mpw. Took one for the team. Enjoy your newborn!!

Dopple Bock,

Please put me down on the 2010 Hopefuls list as well.

johnmaas - 03/21/2010 Shamrock Marathon - Virginia Beach, VA

 

Training has been going well, and I have not raced a marathon since June.

Good luck to everyone else seeking this goal!

John