Tuesday, April 14, 2009

The Final Countdown

A week before the marathon Coach likes me to check in with my thoughts and race plan.  With one week until Boston here are some of my thoughts.

Positives:
  • I've done this race three times before and know what to expect emotionally and physically.
  • I've had a great race at Boston before and know how to do it.
  • The weather is looking good.
  • I've run some super-fast times whenever Coach lets me kick up the pace.
  • A very positive marathon in the fall and an excellent half marathon just a few months ago.
Negatives:
  • Longest run was 18 miles; most miles in a week was 38; most miles in a month was less than 80.
  • Haven't stayed healthy enough to stay on track and complete most weeks of training.
  • All the training has been in the winter and you never know how that's going to translate in the fall.
Thoughts:
  • I'd like to find a consistently fast pace that will not go over 9:00/mile even when attacking the hills.
  • I'd like to not walk any of the course.
  • I'd like to, at least, have a Boston PR.
I sent this information onto Coach and she told me if I walk any of the course Dave is allowed to throw things at me while running.

5 comments:

Molly said...

Sounds like a lot of positives working in your favor. You will do GREAT!!!!

Andrea Hill said...

I like this, great way to mentally prepare yourself.

Amy said...

Hahaha... okay, is it bad that I'm laughing about the throwing things at you part??

Could you imagine the crowd reaction to a spectator throwing things at a runner? Would be another Boston Massacre, methinks.

Anyway. Good luck, and keep all the positive thoughts flowing... squash the negative.

Lindsay said...

great list and love the idea of breaking it down like this. while you think your mileage is a negative, we all know you put in a lot of time doing other cardio and i have a feeling that didn't set you back.

your first positive makes me a little nervous for my own first-go at boston next april!

Andrea Hill said...

Amy - last year I ran behind a guy in a Yankees uniform, and he had kids throwing stuff at him :(