Marathon Goals - The Guessing Game

I wish I could be the type of runner who runs a race and says, "Whatever. I'll be happy if I just finish."

But... I'm not. It's one of the reasons I continue to enter races over and over. I have an internal drive to grow, to learn from each race experience, to get faster, to go longer... Call it competition if you will, but I'm only competing against myself (Unless you happen to be the person in front of me in the finishing chute, then I'm out to mow you down.)  

With each training cycle, I usually have a pretty good feel for my capabilities at the end. The Eugene Marathon on Sunday is my 'A' race this spring, which means I'm going for it. All out. No holds barred. Nothing left at the finish. Empty tank. Hopefully, it will be enough to bring home a new P.R.

I'm always comparing myself to where I was last spring (my marathon PR) - which in my heart, I was in my best shape... healthy, strong and at a training peak. Here's the components I mull over in determining my RACE GOAL...
ENDURANCE
{the ability to exert oneself and remain active for a long period of time, and the ability to resist, withstand and recover from fatigue}  I haven't completed as many 20+ long runs as I wanted in prep for Eugene. I'm not as overly confident in this area as I was last spring, especially since I kinda fell apart in the last 10k of Little Rock.  The earlier I push the pace, the less endurance I'll have. The closer I come to even splits, the better I'll perform late in the race.

SPEED
{the magnitude of velocity in changing position or moving distance}  My happy pace is right at the 10 min/mile. Although in the past few months, my daily runs have been pushing that pace lower on a consistent basis. My original goal (back in Jan) was a 9:45 average pace at Eugene. I'm not sure if I'm quite there yet for 26.2 miles, but I am going to try and hold it below 10. Hopefully, it won't kick my booty in the late miles.

STRENGTH
{the ability of a person to exert force using muscles}  This is one area of physical training that I feel like I'm stronger than ever before. I have welcomed hill work into my running this go-around. I cross-train in Spinning with a ridiculous amount of hills. And I've done strength training exercises for my arms, legs, and core several times a week. A complete 180 from where I was last year - when all I did was add up miles. Will it make a difference? Will it pay off?

MENTALITY
{the mindset or set of assumptions within a person that creates a powerful incentive to adopt, accept or change behaviors, choices and actions}  To be honest, my mindset during training was off kilter. However, after some good runs lately, I'm suddenly optimistic. I have a lot going on this week with Little Girl's birthday, but when I leave Friday morning for Eugene, I will be solo and ready to focus solely on the marathon. I've got a long flight to the West Coast, and I plan to use it for race visualization to prep myself. It's hard to know where your head will go during a 26 mile run. My past experiences have given me a lot to learn from, but not a good prediction. I was determined and excited in Quad Cities, extremely focused during Wisconsin... lost, bored and ready to quit during Route 66 and Little Rock. (I won't lie - the hills broke my spirit in those last two). 

My goal is to P.R. no doubt. We'll find out if it's feesible come Sunday...

• MY MARATHON HISTORY •

Marathon #1 - Quad Cities Marathon, Sept 2011

4:43:27  (10:49 pace)

Marathon #2 - Wisconsin Marathon, May 2012

4:18:56  (9:53 pace)

Marathon #3 - Route 66 Marathon, Nov 2012

4:40:31  (10:30 pace) 

*race included detour mileage

Marathon #4 - Little Rock Marathon, March 2013

4:36:51  (10:34 pace)

Marathon #5 - Eugene Marathon, April 2013

What will my time be????

It a GUESSING GAME... Anyone's call!

WIN THIS PRIZE!

Leave a comment below with your guess to my FINISH TIME in the Eugene Marathon this Sunday. Whoever comes the closest to my official chip time will win a

$25 Amazon.com Gift Card!  

Must enter before the race start - 7:00 a.m. PST on 4/28/13. 

Entries after that date/time will be void from contest.

Winner announced Tuesday, April 30, 2013 on my Facebook page.

  P.S. If you want to track me on Sunday, the Eugene Marathon starts at 7:00 am PST.
My bib number is #3635.