Wednesday, April 24, 2013

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. 


101 comments:

  1. Run your heart out for a 4:16!

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  2. Good Luck! I know you will rock it no matter the finish time. I am doing my first the week after you and vowed to not speak my goal time to anyone... then when talking to hubby it slipped out and now I feel I jinxed it. Oh well your first is an automatic PR c:

    Now you, for you I predict: 4:20, a 9:55 pace

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  3. 4:30:56
    I have no doubt you will KILL this race. Look how far you've come especially in this post. You will rock it!! Knock em dead girl!!
    kim3278 at sbcglobal dot net

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  4. You are going to rock Eugene!!!

    My guess is 4:25:13. FYI my time would be 11:15:45 :-) Lol

    Lisa

    LRobidoux29@yahoo.com

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  5. Amazing times!! I think 4:23:20 Good Luck!!! Have fun! Kick butt!!!!

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  6. My guess is 4:11:23 for a smashing PR! Good luck!

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  7. Jennifer Jacobsen-WoodApril 24, 2013 at 2:32 PM

    I guess 4:14:15

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  8. 4:17:40, a pace of 9:50!

    But of course, I hope you blow us all out of the water and have an AMAZING finish time of 4 hours flat! Or under! ;) GOOD LUCK!!!!

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  9. 4:24.24
    good luck and have fun!

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  10. I'm going to go with a 4:21:12, but I hope I'm guessing too high!

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  11. 4:21

    Go Jess go! What a wonderful experience! This is a race I'd love to get the chance to do someday. I'm totally jealous. ;)

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  12. Good luck, I am guessing 4:12:45 sometimes you do great when you least expect it :)

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  13. 4:17. Go get em, Jess!
    Marci G. :)

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  14. 4:21:13
    GOOD LUCK!!! :)
    I hope you get your PR!

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  15. You are such an inspiration! You are gonna rock Eugene! Good luck & have fun!!

    My prediction is 4:24:10.

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  16. 4:27:13 go get em' jess!

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  17. 4:28:13 I just think it would be cool if your time was the date too! Good Luck!!

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  18. Good luck!!! I'm totally going to track you! 4:18:52

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  19. You have so much to give, and you always inspire others. My prediction is 4:15:45.

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  20. I'm guessing 4:18:00

    Best wishes!

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  21. Good luck!!! My guess is 4:28:30.

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  22. Go kill it! I'm guessing 4:20:59.

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  23. 4:16:42
    Whatever you run, HAVE FUN!!! And be proud!

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  24. Giving you a huge PR with a 4:10:04 (my wedding date)
    Good luck and have fun!

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  25. My guess is 4:21:06. Good luck!!

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  26. 4:13:25 is my guess, Go For It!!!

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  27. My guess is 4:26:13 (which happens to be my 10-year wedding anniversary in two days) :)

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  28. 4:15! Good luck and welcome to Oregon! Love from Bend!

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  29. Good luck, safe travels, and run, run, run! My guess is 4:14:30

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  30. 4:23:27

    Good luck!

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  31. I'm loving your attitude Jess. Keep it up and I'm going to go with 4:21.

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  32. I'm going with 4:18...Good luck and go rock it!!

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  33. I think you will finish in 4.09

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  34. I say... 4:27:05 Good luck! :)

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  35. My guess is 4:21:05. Good luck on Sunday! Hopefully I will be able to track you but I can't guarantee I'll even be able to move after my very first marathon on Sunday.

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  37. 4:19:32
    I think you can keep it under 10 :)

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  38. 4:12:12...Best wishes and I will be thinking about you and praying for you! Stay calm and do what you do. And, remember, Run with Jesus! :) Love ya!

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  39. i can't be the only one laughing at how you said repeatedly that this will be your PR race, as a reader I can clearly see what your PR time was from WI, yet so many people predicted a higher time than that which wouldn't give you a PR. I have confidence that you will PR- Euguene is a fast course, weather is normally great, and its freaking track town USA- you'll get some of Huge Euge's magic and pull off 4:13:47

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  40. Wishing you the best of luck. Soak in the sights and have fun. Whenever you finish, you finish.

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  41. You have a history of beating me so I was going to say 4:17 but so are a lot of others so I'm going with a 4:16:30

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  42. Good Luck I really think you will rock it! i am going to go with 4:14:53. I think you might beat it though!

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  43. 4:22:01. Due to going out a tiny bit too fast. But I am totally behind you and hope for your coveted 4:15! Good luck.

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  44. 4:14:22
    YOU GOT THIS!

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  45. 4:15:24 You have prepared and now it is time to rock it! You will do great. Enjoy it!

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  46. From one Running Jess to another, good luck at Eugene! You've got a great read here. :) It's inspiring to read about the marathons you've done- I hope to rock out that many someday! Mindset is key, like you said, but looks like you've got it ready for Sunday.
    Jessica
    www.runjessrun.com

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  47. 4:21:19
    Good luck and enjoy it all!!

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  48. Good luck! 4:17:52. Have a great race!

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  49. Good luck! 4:17:52. Have a great race!

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  51. 4:15:40. Rock this Moths out! Laura renn

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  52. 4:15:40. Rock this Moths out! Laura renn

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  53. your time is already amazing. but i'm sure you can beat it! all the best

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