Race Strategy

Their it is, their is what my race strategy for the marathon is going to look like. Not sure if that will be 16 miles in, 22 miles in or if all goes as planned, then that is what I will look like at 26.3 miles in the medical tent. I am going to go out hard and just hold on for as long as I can until the wheels fall off. The training numbers say that I should be able to run a 3:04 (7:03 per mile pace), and in my last half marathon I ran a 1:27 (6:40/mi pace). So the fact is the only thing that is going to hold me back is myself, and I have an oppurtunity to run that 3:04 and qualify for Boston in the process. Lofty goals considering that just 3 years ago I started running. However going big is the only way I know how to do it. I do not fear failure and that can be both a curse and a blessing. Their are 3 ways this can turn out, I can do it, I can come close to doing it, or I can blow up and end up crawling or worse, not finishing. Since I put this marathon on the schedule and my training has increased, so have my expectations. And with that comes pressure to put up or shut up. I enjoy the pressure, I enjoy putting my goals out their for people to see and scrutinize. I don't care if I fail because not one person can ever call an attempt at something a failure in my book. Toeing the line and taking a shot is what this thing is all about. I don't train to lose weight, or meet new people, or travel to different places. Sure those are bonuses that come with the journey, but bottomline is that I am out to acheive my best at everything I do. If I don't get that 3:04 the sun will rise and set the next day regardless. I can live with not reaching my goals as long as I put my best foot forward. For me all I care about is racing, I absolutely love it. I like the pressure, I like the nervousness, the unsettled stomach and I love crossing the finish line and feeling that something was accomplished that day regardless of the result. So from the minute that gun goes off 6 days from now at 7:30 am I am just going to go hard. Now with that hard effort comes the inteligence to know what would be foolish. Foolish would be running a pace that I know I can not hold for 26.2 miles. That is where the training and the experience comes in. And to be honest I don't have a lot of experience at this distance. But I am aware that I have the ability to shut my mind off and just go. And go I will. So If you see on the news some guy who happens to be in a big smoldering pile at mile 20 of the Providence marathon next week, don't worry I will be satisfied.

Pressure is building

Pressure, why is it that we let it control us like nothing else in our lives. Why do we allow the pressure of a race or event dictate the outcome. We do it because we don't know any different. We assume pressure is a normal part of a race. So much so that we equate it to nerves. Well this may be news to some, but pressure, unlike nerves is something we can control and something that we bring on ourselves. When I line up at an event for the first time, or even the hundreth time the nerves will always be there. However by rationally thinking about the event, being prepared for the distance and setting reasonable expectations you can eliminate any pressure.

Many people I know are six days away from the one of the biggest events of their lives, the Boston Marathon. Thousands of others I don't know are also preparing for what very well can be a life changing event. And one thing that all these people have in common is the undue pressure they are going to put on themselves. Now their is absolutely nothing wrong with having a goal and going after it.However allowing that goal, wether acheived or not, to lessen the moment is a real shame. Last I checked neither you or I will be listed in the Herald the day before as a race favorite. There will be no laurel wreath placed on our heads or microphone shoved in our face. However what their will be, is a huge crowd of people who will be there to cheer you on regardless. The medal you receive will weigh the same as the Kenyan that will probably win the whole race. And most important you will have run a marathon.

20 years from now when our grandkids as us about these things they will be no less impressed if you say you ran sub 3 or sub 6. Times and race results will always be there for comparisons, however aside from winning or not even trying, the only thing that truly matters is the doing. Being on that start line, regardless of being a qualifer or a charity runner at the end of the day all that will matter is how you feel you did. To often people allow the pressure they place on themselves to cripple them and not let them enjoy the event. Chances are you are not running a 2:05 and just by being there you have beaten everyone on the DID NOT START list. So stop, take a step back and get rid of the pressure you are putting on yourself. It is one of the few things in a race that you can control. Allow it to control you and you will never enjoy something that should be enjoyed. You are running. Not working or dealing with life's endless stresses. There are few things in this world that are as empowering as being able to self power your way 26.2 miles. Most people complain about driving that far and you are about to run it.

So before Monday comes and the inevitable race nerves hit, stop, take a deep breath and leave the anxiety for the next guy. Worry about what you can control, do your best, leave no stone unturned and cross the finish line. If you are not going to enjoy the fact that half a million people are going to line the race route to cheer for a bunch of everyday folk then what can you enjoy. It is your chance to shine, your day to put all those training miles on the pavement. Remember to smile, for a bad day running is better than a bad day at work. And for gods sake remember to cover your nipples.

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