It has been a long journey and I can see the finish line. One last hurdle and then it is trusting in where the last 4 months of training have taken me. The miles I’ve logged and loads of laundry completed.
Race Day
I have the Oakland Marathon on Sunday. This will be my fourth consecutive year running their event and it remains one of my favorites.
- The early spring date keeps me training in the winter.
- Challenging course: uphill the first half, mostly flat second half.
- The organization remains consistently on point.
- The crowd on the course is enthusiastic and encouraging.
- Taiko drums, Raiderettes, arches of fire, giant iron horses and nice medals.
But this race is not my finish line.
Although I will be attempting to PR this race, it is a training run for me. Strange to think a marathon can be used as a part of your training, but ultra running can be responsible for funny things. I have my 50 mile race the second week in April — which makes this race my last strong run before its taper time.
Finding Balance
The course with an uphill profile the first 10 miles and the (mostly) flat second half is a reminder to stay focused and have a plan. I’m notorious for going out too fast on this course. The plan will be to keep it consistent 9 minutes for the first 3 miles, move to 9:30 on the uphill to 11, bank a couple of seconds on the 3 miles (8:30-8:45) downhill, then cruise back into 9 minutes. That should be me pretty close to having a shot at sub 4 hours on a hilly course. I feel strong and confident about it, which is scary.
It has been a fine line of balancing seeking PRs, but staying focused on the end game:
finishing 50 miles in under 11 hours and qualifying for Western States 100.
Channeling Strength
There will be plenty of thoughts going through my head on race day and there will be points of struggle. How I deal with them will determine my results.
Remember to keep it consistent like I did in Pasadena.
I’ll keep an eye on the 4 hour pace group and use them as a guide. I won’t get swept up in their group as I enjoy having something to chase and having space around me. I’ll stay within eyesight and make my move the last few miles.
Remember that you have set a PR on this course already (2012).
But you bonked on the second half and posted a 2:06/2:18 split. Note, I will be aiming for a 2:00/1:55 split for this year, but my training is much stronger and I’m a much faster runner. Crazy the difference a year can make.
Remember that you are more prepared this year.
I participated in both preview runs and kept a strong 9-10 minute pace over those hilly miles. There was some miles more consistent than others and those runs were on tired legs. It’s not home-field advantage, but I feel more ready than any previous year.
That’s my race day preview. I posted my entire playlist here (68 songs, 4.3 hours) if you want to see what I will be listening to.
I’ll be tweeting a lot over the weekend and will be at the Expo on Saturday around 12 or 1.
If you are going to be there around the same time, let me know, there may be an unofficial meet up happening.
Hit me up over on the twitter: @PavementRunner
Any final tips for how to run like a (insert animal here)?
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Your training and plan are right on. I think you are going to blow PR on this course again. No tips other than to run like the wind!
Great plan!!! Good look and achieving your sub-4!!! I haven’t even run my first marathon yet so I cannot even fathom using it for a training run :/
Great luck with the race!
My prediction is that you are going to rock a shiny new pr after this weekend!!! Best of luck!!
not a runner, so no running tips! just wanted to wish you good luck! sounds like you have a great plan! can’t wait to read the recap!
Good luck to you!! It sounds like you have a great plan in place. 50 miles is a pretty awesome goal, too. I’m running my first half marathon this Sunday. My plan is to just finish with an average of 10 minute miles!
No tips, just sending positive energy. Enjoy your run!
you’ve got this, brian!! can’t wait to see your “omg i pr-ed” tweet!! and maybe a celebratory handstand or backband at the finish line?? ;)
Good luck! When I ran a hilly half I went into it with a plan and it definitely helped me achieve my goals. I am looking forward to reading your recap :)
Run like a FU! ;)
You can tell by this post you are going to ROCK this :D
Proper recovery: I’m learning ;)
You will totally rock this run! Sending you tons of good vibes and protein/carb filled mojo your way!
I LOVE Taiko drums on courses! More races need to have them. :) If you feel like you’re going off plan, just start chanting “Western States, Western States” over and over to remind yourself of your next ultimate goal. When it gets really hard, do your best to smile a real smile that includes your eyes(think of someone/something you love and force it a little). It releases a little burst of good chemicals to help you along. And moment by moment, step by step, breath by breath – you’re going to have an awesome race and be so psyched for your 50M! Can’t wait to hear how great it was!
That’s the way to run it…conservative on the front, especially on that early hill. You’ve got this!
You’ve totally got this! Does put things in perspective when a marathon is a training run for you. haha. Have a great race and have fun!
Wow, that elevation looks seriously intense. You are a brave sole, I still pick my races based on how closely they resemble a pancake
You sound totally ready, and in the right mind set! Good luck!!
Wow, that hill!! You are a much stronger runner, your improvement has been incredible this past year. Definitely start out slower like you said, and then pick it up the second half. Remember that it should hurt by the end, embrace the pain like a good friend (did you read runwiki’s post?) Best of luck, you’ve got this!!
You’ve got it! Good luck!
Sounds like a good plan and a well=planned stepping stone to that sub-11 50 miler – enjoy the weekend!
Sounds like a great plan – best of luck!!
What an exciting thought to have a marathon as a training run! And to be planning to PR the distance nonetheless! Good luck on Sunday. Your plan sounds solid. I look forward to hearing about it!
You’ve worked hard and you have a solid game plan. You’ve totally got this! Looking forward to reading about it next week!!
I’m running the half and am hoping to do it in just under two hours…so see you at the finish line!!!!
Sounds like you are well-prepared! Good luck!!!
You’ve Got This! Run the mile you are in — with the times that you’ve been clocking, you’re prepped. Now just run one mile at a time, PR!!!!!
Good Luck! Thanks for the song list, I always like to hear what others listen to.
Take that race and finish like a boss!
Hope you’re having a great time this weekend! Good luck! It is crazy to think a marathon can be a training run but I know you can do all you set out to do. You’re stronger than that hill. Or should I say mountain? heck that’s a big one! But regardless, you got it!
I was at the expo around 10:30 this morning. This is my first full and my legs are feeling pretty tight, so it should be interesting. The hills on this race def. have me a little freaked out, but it seems like an awesome race. Maybe I’ll see you around tomorrow! Good Luck!