What if I stopped racing? What if I focused on training? What if I was all in for a single race, how fast could I go? These are questions that I have been thinking about for the better part of this year. There was always something on the calendar that had been planned and in typical “me” fashion, I had to run ALL THE RACES.

@RunEMZ has been telling me about the PHOENIX MARATHON for some time, to come race it: “it’s fast.” Well, if you haven’t seen the flurry on the interwebs, it’s happening the weekend of February 28, 2015 (Saturday is race day)

 

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It’s Going Down at PHX

The list is growing and it seems like ALL THE RUNNERS are making plans to race in Phoenix. There is a full (limited to 4K) and half (limited to 6K) option. The full will be stocked with runners mostly looking to PR or BQ. It’s a downhill course — see what I did with “it’s going down” — and there will be some sort of HUGE MEET UP happening. Look at this lineup:

@runemz
@the_athletarian
@carleemcdot
@andreabarber
@stuftmama
@sharpendurance
@pointonemiles
@dasilentassassin
@keenones
@kimberlicrosby
@runner_blogger_az
@fancyruninggirl
@maxfitgirl29
@vk_davies
@brit_blythe7

12 Weeks to Glory

I currently have a 3:37 marathon PR. That was last December and after a few failed attempts to better that time early in the year, it became apparent that I had “peaked” with my marathon time and busy race schedule. I bounced back and forth through the second half of this year with focusing on some shorter distances and back-to-back racing challenges. My 3 halfs in 2 days was my last race of the year and I clearly went out with a party.

For the next 12 weeks, I’m training like I want to BQ — the key word there is “like.” I’m realistic with my goals and know that going from 3:37 to sub 3:05 in 12 weeks is a HUGE ask. But what if? What if I truly gave all of myself to a training program with a goal of 7 minute miles? What if I stopped racing and threw myself (mind, body, and soul) into a single goal?

What happens if I fail?

Imagine this. I go for 7 minute miles from the start. If it follows a similar suit as my “bonked” races and I hold that until mile 18-ish. If I was able to do that and finished the last 8 miles at a slower pace, I would PR like CRAZY. Do you know that I would be a ball of tears if I finished a marathon around 3:15? 3:20? That’s not a fail, that’s a FRIGGIN reason to celebrate. What’s the downside of going for it?

 

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Register now, save 10%

Use code PAVEY10 to save 10% on registration. You are going to see in a paragraph that I am doing a giveaway for a free entry. Yes, it would be amazing to win a free entry, but only ONE of you will.  I look at it like this, go ahead and register now and save 10%, then if you win, bring a friend with you. It’s going to be a giant party that weekend, so the more the merrier.

Giveaway

Here it is: win a FREE ENTRY to the Phoenix Marathon. A randomly selected winner will receive a comp entry to either the half or the full marathon on Saturday, February 28, 2015. The winner will be notified via email and a have a few days to confirm and accept the entry.

Good Luck.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck Everyone!
See you in PHX!