Warning: Pre-marathon Jitters and Taper Madness on the Horizon!
Now I probably have mentioned a time or two that my weight training consists mostly of a large variety of lighter weight exercises, mostly using dumbbells. I also throw in multiple sets of pushups, sit-ups and abdominal exercises (for the problem zone). Experienced weightlifters would probably laugh hysterically, but hey I’m a beginner and I can see results!
In any case after completing my weight training, minus some of the leg work, I stretched a bit and headed out for a run. We had fairly mild temperatures yesterday 26C/779F, humid and it was raining gently as I headed out over my old 8K/5M route. My pace goal was my planned marathon pace 6:00/K (9:39/M). As I said I was feeling pretty good, so I naturally had a hard time keeping that pace, my pace kept jumping all around as I fought to keep it down: 5:45/K, 5:20/K, 5:30/K, 5:10/K, 5:50/K, 5:55/K, 5:45/K, 5:20/K. Oh well, it felt like a relaxing run anyway!
Tonight is another 16K/10M run, tomorrow weight training with a short jog, then my long run on Saturday.
Despite doing quite well on my runs lately I am still a little nervous about my long run on Saturday. The plan is 36K/22M at planned marathon pace (6:00/K, 9:39/M). I accomplished this on August 13th, so I know I can do it, but somehow I still have butterflies in the stomach about it. This feeling is probably due to the fact that this will be my last long run before my marathon and I really hope that it goes smoothly.
The weather forecast for Saturday is promising, more mild weather and perhaps some rain. Based on my runs lately I am a little bit nervous about starting out too fast and burning myself out before I finish. On the other side, when I think about it, this is exactly the training I need in the moment as I will be facing the same problem in 3½ weeks at the marathon.
I guess I am entering my pre-marathon jitters phase, which was followed by tapering madness last time around. So brace yourselves, as I am sure my blog post’s will start getting really weird in the upcoming weeks, as I start experiencing every emotion imaginable in the course of 10 minutes and at regular intervals ;-)
Comments
DATE: 4:11 AM
22 miles! That is like - wow! But you are so committed and so consistent that I am sure you will do it strong! Bring on the madness - we're here to talk you down :)
Posted by: Lara | July 5, 2006 11:54 PM
DATE: 8:45 PM
I am sure you will do just fine. However pushing the long run isn't a bad idea as it will give you an idea of what you should or perhaps shouldn't do come race day.We are all cheering for you. Go Jack Go!!!
Posted by: Dawn (aka Pink Lady) | July 5, 2006 11:54 PM
DATE: 7:40 PM
Wow! 22 miles is going to be incredible, especially as a pace run. I've got 15 and that alone seems daunting. Your training has been really strong so I think you are going to do great. Just watch those antsy feet and try to keep yourself from flying out of the starting gate. You'll be lookin' geil. :D
Posted by: Jon in Michigan | July 5, 2006 11:54 PM
DATE: 6:35 PM
I feel your pain, Jack. I've got a lot riding on my 20-miler this weekend. The pressure to make it a good one had got my butterflies going too! We can do this!!
Posted by: Running Chick | July 5, 2006 11:54 PM
DATE: 1:22 PM
You deserve to have weird posts, Jack. You've been working hard for this--so no wonder. Saturday will be fine, just fine.
Posted by: Susan | July 5, 2006 11:54 PM
Amazing site.
Thanks, webmaster.
Posted by: Pavel | September 15, 2008 10:53 AM
Amazing site.
Thanks, admin.
Posted by: Maria | September 15, 2008 1:52 PM