Time to Make a Plan

If like me, you are running the Rock'n'Roll San Antonio Marathon, you have been training now for at least 3 months or, better yet, 4 months. Believe it or not, two weeks out from the race you can begin to slack off. In fact, it's what's known as tapering your training. This is a time for a lighter routine, fewer miles, no more extreme long miles, and giving your body a chance to rest. Of course, you don't stop completely, nor do you hit the Krispy Kremes and full fat ahead ice cream. Reflect on the work you've done, be proud of it. There's plenty of time later to think about what you want to correct for your future training. You will keep training, won't you?

If this is your first real experience with distance running you might still be reluctant to contemplate an extended future of training, of long runs, of more marathons and half marathons. However, if you already have a number of races behind you, maybe you've been focused on running for several years, you already know that the Rock'n'Roll, or whatever race looms on your near horizon, is but another step towards another day, another 10 miles, another big race, maybe even an ultra-marathon in your future. I hope everyone who is following this blog already has at least a couple more races on their card and that the rookie marathoners will come back and run another 26.2 miles soon.

When I ran my first half marathon it was a test, a test to see if I could do it. I did, and the sense of accomplishment was such a rush that I soon decided to go the next step, to run a marathon. If you as a rookie are wondering if you've got it in you, you are in good company, for we have all been there and fought through those doubts. Once I finished my first marathon (oh it wasn't pretty, I hit the wall hard at 21 miles or so and struggled mightily the rest of the way) I was exhausted. Thankfully my sister Brenda was there to help me as I hobbled back to her car and headed home, fighting leg cramps all the way. We came through the front door at my house, I plopped down in my favorite chair, took off my shoes and announced to Brenda that I couldn't wait for the next race. I hope everyone's experience is like that.

But I digress egregiously. Let's get back to the present, 2 weeks before the race. You've probably already set a goal. If this is a first marathon, or half, there's a little bit of guess work in estimating your possiblities. If you are a veteran, you probably have a quite good idea of the race you would like to run. Have you trained with that goal in mind? If you're like me, the training might not have been as thorough as you had first planned. We all have our little setbacks and distractions. But still, if you are experienced and relatively well prepared, you probably know how to best go for your goal. What is a goal? It doesn't need to be a specific time. My running buddy Zenna is smart in her half marathon goal. She wants to run the entire distance; no walking. That's a great goal whatever your distance might be. The key to succeeding at this is to plan a smart race. Don't go slack on the reins. By this I mean to keep yourself, your pace, under control. The number one biggest mistake is to start too fast. Know that 26.2 miles is a hell of a long way. You want to feel pretty good about things when you get to 12 miles, 15 miles, 18 miles. Don't create your own downfall by racing. Know yourself and run within yourself.

Try this: run the second half of your race as fast or faster as the first half of the race. This is known as a negative split and I guarantee it is the goal of just about every serious runner. This is the best race you have in you, so don't blow it by thinking the group wave which we all revel in on race day gives you permission to run a 9:30 pace when your pre-race plan calls for a 10:15 pace. Yes, you'll feel as though you are having to lay back, but do. It's better to keep a methodical pace early on than to run out of gas 4 or 5 miles from the finish line.

Make a plan, and stick with it. If you are comfortable with the idea, run with one of the pace groups. You will find them at the starting line. The pacers with these groups are experienced runners. They are there to help you meet a specific time goal and they will keep you reined in early in the race and make sure you keep your pace in the later miles. If that's not your cup of tea, do it on your own. Plan a pace, stay with it, and you'll find a smile on your face at the finish line.