After the longest week of training, a 20 mile culmination at 7am this morning. I was feeling pretty nervous, though not sure why. I knew I could run the 20 miles having done it before, but maybe after so many other runs it was going to be tougher.
I made a late week decision to run in the 9:30 pace group instead of the 9:00 group I ran with last time. They alway say you should run below race pace, and I was concerned to push it just 3 weeks out. Lots of people, mainly first time marathoners seemed to have the same thoughts!
So we started from Jack Rabbit Sports on West 72nd St, headed to the river, up to 94th St or so then down the river, joining the route from the last run. We ran down at a nice comfortable pace, more like 9:20 to Warren St, across to City Hall Park (after a quick drink stop) and then over Brooklyn Bridge. We took a slight wrong turn which splintered our group (and added 1/4 - 1/2 mile!). After the second stop, a group of 6 of us who were feeling good decided to push on. Upping the pace to around 8:55 we pushed on through Williamsburg then over Pulaski Bridge into Queens. We decided to skip the final drinks stop and head straight for Queensboro Bridge. Having run slower than last time, it was a much better experience, though not really any quicker. I left the guys to head back to the West Side, while I headed up First Avenue. With the flat/downhill section my pace increased to 8:40 and while I knew I should slow down, I also knew I only had 2 miles to go. I crossed 106th St to Fifth Avenue and was suffering a little now, especially being alone. I hit 20 miles at Fifth Avenue, but wanted to run the uphill section up to 90th St which we will hit around 22 miles on the day. It was hard for sure, but I also knew it will be easier next time with a million supporters, including my family!
Overall I finished in 9:13 pace, not bad considering the first 10 miles were 9:25 pace.....
So now the hard work is done. I can't quite believe as I sit here icing my ankles and toes that in 3 weeks it will all be over. I am confident that with crowd support and some well rested muscles I can achieve my goal of 4 hours, though I remain determined that the first aim is to finish and have fun!
Now is recovery time. My 40 miles the week just passed, will drop to 29 miles this week (only 12 next Sunday!) and 21 the week after. Marathon week is almost nothing! Lets hope i'll be in great shape for the big day.....
I made a late week decision to run in the 9:30 pace group instead of the 9:00 group I ran with last time. They alway say you should run below race pace, and I was concerned to push it just 3 weeks out. Lots of people, mainly first time marathoners seemed to have the same thoughts!
So we started from Jack Rabbit Sports on West 72nd St, headed to the river, up to 94th St or so then down the river, joining the route from the last run. We ran down at a nice comfortable pace, more like 9:20 to Warren St, across to City Hall Park (after a quick drink stop) and then over Brooklyn Bridge. We took a slight wrong turn which splintered our group (and added 1/4 - 1/2 mile!). After the second stop, a group of 6 of us who were feeling good decided to push on. Upping the pace to around 8:55 we pushed on through Williamsburg then over Pulaski Bridge into Queens. We decided to skip the final drinks stop and head straight for Queensboro Bridge. Having run slower than last time, it was a much better experience, though not really any quicker. I left the guys to head back to the West Side, while I headed up First Avenue. With the flat/downhill section my pace increased to 8:40 and while I knew I should slow down, I also knew I only had 2 miles to go. I crossed 106th St to Fifth Avenue and was suffering a little now, especially being alone. I hit 20 miles at Fifth Avenue, but wanted to run the uphill section up to 90th St which we will hit around 22 miles on the day. It was hard for sure, but I also knew it will be easier next time with a million supporters, including my family!
Overall I finished in 9:13 pace, not bad considering the first 10 miles were 9:25 pace.....
So now the hard work is done. I can't quite believe as I sit here icing my ankles and toes that in 3 weeks it will all be over. I am confident that with crowd support and some well rested muscles I can achieve my goal of 4 hours, though I remain determined that the first aim is to finish and have fun!
Now is recovery time. My 40 miles the week just passed, will drop to 29 miles this week (only 12 next Sunday!) and 21 the week after. Marathon week is almost nothing! Lets hope i'll be in great shape for the big day.....
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