One thing I've wanted to do differently this time around is get more of a schedule of races leading up to the marathon. I want to use these races as sort of a workout or a tune-up for the Pig. Heck, a competitive atmosphere is a way better than a solo workout. At least that's my logic this time, and I'm sticking to it.
I've really only done two races longer than a 10k. The one was the Hudepohl 14K, and the other was...well, Chicago. I feel I need to do more than just one tune-up this time around.
I think one of the big problems I had during the Chicago marathon was that my legs, body, etc. just wasn't (read: still isn't) used to these longer, almost completely aerobic races. I mean, the longest race I had done before my first marathon was 18 miles shorter than the marathon itself. And I've still never done a true half marathon. The only one I've done was the first half of a full marathon (1:09:20...that's a respectable time, right?).
So I want to focus on longer races, to get the body used to holding pace over longer distances and for a long amount of time. However, with such races and the longer recovery time they entail, it's very easy to overdo it and get burned out (physically as well as mentally) before the big race. But by adjusting the workout schedule so that the races themselves are the week's workout, then hopefully I can avoid burnout.
So anyway, here's what I've put together so far. It's a rough stretch of 3 longer races in about 3 weeks, but if I get plenty of recovery in between it will be a good cycle of workouts.
March 10: The Tom King Half Marathon in Nashville. This is my first true half, and probably the only one in the training cycle. Looking at past results, there's plenty of competition around the 1:08-09 range, which is what I know I can do. Ideally the goal will be to go a little faster, and if training goes well there's no reason that's not possible. Nashville's not too far away, I've got friends there to potentially crash with, and best of all they pay money to the top 3 ($500-250-100). If I run as fast as I think I'm capable of, there's no reason I can't finish in the money.
March 18: The Heart Mini here in Cincinnati. It's a 15K that starts downtown and mostly goes out east and back along Columbia Parkway. They also offer a half marathon, but I think that's more of a gimmick. The competition is all in the 15K, and I know I can be competitive with the local running scene. I don't think they offer prize money, which is a bit of a bummer.
March 31: The Papa John's 10 Miler in Louisville. I've heard this is a big and competitive race, so it sounds pretty fun (well...as fun as oxygen debt and lactic acid can be). Anyway, Weingardt is the one who told me about it, so I thought why not give it a try? Again, it's all a workout. They pay money too (either top 3 or 5, I should figure that out), but it may be a bit too quick a race to be in the running for cash (great pun, huh?). But hey, that's no reason not to give it a shot! Maybe if I get lucky I can come out with some money.
That'll probably make for a tough March, but it should also be a great set of workouts. So for anyone reading this, if I'm coming to your town a) can I crash at your place? and b) come out and watch!
Know of any other (better?) races around? Let me know!
I've really only done two races longer than a 10k. The one was the Hudepohl 14K, and the other was...well, Chicago. I feel I need to do more than just one tune-up this time around.
I think one of the big problems I had during the Chicago marathon was that my legs, body, etc. just wasn't (read: still isn't) used to these longer, almost completely aerobic races. I mean, the longest race I had done before my first marathon was 18 miles shorter than the marathon itself. And I've still never done a true half marathon. The only one I've done was the first half of a full marathon (1:09:20...that's a respectable time, right?).
So I want to focus on longer races, to get the body used to holding pace over longer distances and for a long amount of time. However, with such races and the longer recovery time they entail, it's very easy to overdo it and get burned out (physically as well as mentally) before the big race. But by adjusting the workout schedule so that the races themselves are the week's workout, then hopefully I can avoid burnout.
So anyway, here's what I've put together so far. It's a rough stretch of 3 longer races in about 3 weeks, but if I get plenty of recovery in between it will be a good cycle of workouts.
March 10: The Tom King Half Marathon in Nashville. This is my first true half, and probably the only one in the training cycle. Looking at past results, there's plenty of competition around the 1:08-09 range, which is what I know I can do. Ideally the goal will be to go a little faster, and if training goes well there's no reason that's not possible. Nashville's not too far away, I've got friends there to potentially crash with, and best of all they pay money to the top 3 ($500-250-100). If I run as fast as I think I'm capable of, there's no reason I can't finish in the money.
March 18: The Heart Mini here in Cincinnati. It's a 15K that starts downtown and mostly goes out east and back along Columbia Parkway. They also offer a half marathon, but I think that's more of a gimmick. The competition is all in the 15K, and I know I can be competitive with the local running scene. I don't think they offer prize money, which is a bit of a bummer.
March 31: The Papa John's 10 Miler in Louisville. I've heard this is a big and competitive race, so it sounds pretty fun (well...as fun as oxygen debt and lactic acid can be). Anyway, Weingardt is the one who told me about it, so I thought why not give it a try? Again, it's all a workout. They pay money too (either top 3 or 5, I should figure that out), but it may be a bit too quick a race to be in the running for cash (great pun, huh?). But hey, that's no reason not to give it a shot! Maybe if I get lucky I can come out with some money.
That'll probably make for a tough March, but it should also be a great set of workouts. So for anyone reading this, if I'm coming to your town a) can I crash at your place? and b) come out and watch!
Know of any other (better?) races around? Let me know!
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