This weekend I’ll be running my first marathon of 2014 at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in Arizona. It will come 6 weeks after setting an 8 minute PR in Sacramento at CIM. In looking to build off “ending the year perfectly,” I’ll be targeting a sub 3:30 finish. It’s an ambitious goal and will require me running an 8 minute mile for 26.2 miles. Let’s take a look at how this will be going down.
I get by with a little help from my friends.
I’ve summoned the power of the amazing @RunEMZ and she will be running all 26.2 miles with me. That’s pretty much a Tuesday for her as she is well-known for knocking out 20 mile runs on the mill like clock work. I’m a little nervous about this because I normally run marathons solo when I’m running for time. I typically throw on my ear buds, hit shuffle and get lost in my own mind.
With EMZ at her 24-hour 100 mile treadmill run in SF.
The good thing is that I feel like I can’t let her down. LOL. That may sound weird, but I’ve sort of GOT TO DO this, right? I can’t really be like “ummm, I’m tired, I want to walk” at mile 17. She is super nice, but what if she smacks me in the back of the head and is like “let’s run ya big ol baby!” Ok. She totally wouldn’t say that, but… but what if she does?!?! Honestly, I’m looking forward to really getting to know her. We met through social media and although we talk, there is so much we don’t know about each other. We’ll have 25 miles to get to know what our favorite colors are, favorite movies, if we could have one super power what would it be… you know, the important things. Then for the last 1.2 miles it will be run as fast as you can to the finish line.
Shhh… she is running a 100 mile race the following weekend. #iknowright
Race strategy.
I’m going to approach this one the same way I approached CIM. It worked out really well and my splits were pretty spot on. I’m going to start close to the 3:30 pace group and hang behind them keeping them within eyesight for the first 20-22 miles. After that, if I’m feeling good, I’ll make my move to pass them and pick up the pace for the last 4 miles. If all goes well, that would put me in around 3:27. If I’m feeling sluggish, I’ll stick with them until the last mile to make a sub 3:30 finish. (8 min miles = 3:29:36).
With RunEMZ with me, I know it’s going to be a fun journey. Imagine getting to run with someone you look up to for 26.2 miles… #epicadventure.
What do you REFUEL with?
I’m also happy to announce that I’ll be running this race as part of Team REFUEL. I remember when I heard that low-fat chocolate milk was one of the best ways to refuel after a workout. I thought it was a joke, because chocolate milk is friggin delicious and how could it be good for you. Sure enough, a couple of internet searches later and more validation from runners, it was true. Compared to most sport drinks, water or plain milk, it has DOUBLE the carbs and protein as well as high water content to replace fluid lost as sweat. Since it is milk, we know it has strong calcium and contains very little sugar and sodium. The science behind it.
Did I mention it’s delicious?
I’ll be rocking REFUEL gear, so be on the lookout for lots of orange on race day.
Social Media Meet & Tweet
In case you didn’t see, RunEMZ and I will be doing a Q&A on stage at the Expo on Saturday at 3 p.m. quickly followed by a social media meet up. We’ll be snapping pictures, hanging out and hopefully getting to meet YOU. It should be lots of fun. If you are running, swing on by or if you are local, come hang out with us. We’ve also talked @BananaBuzzbomb into joining on the fun.
Meet up details (including info on a giveaway and #SA2LV reunion).
Final Thoughts, At Random
- 8 min. miles, are you crazy?
- 8 min. miles, you’ve got this.
- Mile 1 I’m all like: running with EMZ is amazing!
- Mile 15 I’m all like: does EMZ still like running with me?
- Everyone knows I’m going for sub 3:30, I can’t let them down.
- If I finish sub-3:30, I will have reached the fastest time I have ever imagined myself running.
Think about that last line. I’ve never envisioned myself running faster than sub 3:30. I’ve always said that sub 3:30 is the fastest I think I could run, without the help of a professional running coach… it’s a goal I had YEARS ago and I am days away from making it happen. If I stop and think about it for too long, it kind of scares me… and gets me excited.
Oh the joy of race week.
Taking any and all race tips, motivational speeches, funny quotes.
Don’t think, just run! You’ve got this. And I hope you two are still talking to each other at mile 21. ;)
psssst…. guess what? I’ll be cheering from TX! that will make you run faster. #sherpaCotter
you’ve totally got this!!!!!!!!!!!
You got this!! I’ll be rooting for you!
I KNOW you can do this!
I am so excited for you! Good luck!! I know you’ve got this!
Um, do you even KNOW how amazing you are?! YOU’VE TOTALLY FREAKING GOT THIS!! I’ll be virtually cheering you on homie!
You can do it!!!! There are many many many of us cheering for you!!! You’ll do great!
You can totally do it! I’m aiming for 8-minute miles, too….but just a half:)
Totally and completely within your capabilities. Go out and have a great day and give EMZ a hug from me!
I do think you’ve got this. And with EMZ on your side…ticket for success! I don’t think she’ll smack you but she might punch or pinch you. Best of luck – say hi to emzs for me!
So exciting! Love the reFUel too hehe ;)
Will be cheering your on from Canada!
Dude, you’ve SO GOT THIS it’s not even funny. I’ll be cheering you on from the Great White North and stalking your instagram all weekend. I so wish I could be there!!! It really is going to be EPIC!
Positive peer pressure – you GOT THIS!! I’m going to be cheering for you. :)
Good luck! I am excited to hear how you get on! I love the positivity and brightness that your posts bring, and I am sure the next one will be full of happiness too! I have only run one marathon, so I am not an expert by any means, but I went from 2:40 pace to 2:49 pace by overdoing it on the caffeine, and not drinking enough liquids, so I say….be careful of caffeine intake, and HYDRATE! But I am sure you know that by now! Have fun! Hoping all the best for you :)
So exciting! I love the feeling of being in reach of a goal, you got this!!
You.Freakin.Got.This. Afterall, you have EMZ! Have a great race!
I’m so excited for you! You are going to make it happen. You are determined and focused and can do it! Welcome to the TeamChocolateMilk Family!
I will be cheering you on from Denver! You got this!!
You are totally going to rock this!!
Best of luck, friend! I will be cheering you on virtually and I can’t wait to see all you accomplish!
You. Got. This. Will be cheering you guys on from CA & anxiously tracking (= sending speedy vibes). Good luck!
HOLY WOW!!! Very exciting but I sat better you than me! ;)
This is fun! I’d be so nervous/intimidated to run a full marathon, an actual race, with someone like that…killer fast runner. Very much looking forward to how it goes and hoping you get your goal!
Good luck. You are crazy fast and awesome!
So excited for you!! You are so strong, mentally, physically, I know you can do this! Knock em dead!!
With Run EMZ and chocolate milk behind you’ve definitely got this one! Good luck and have an amazing weekend!
You absolutely have this! Cannot wait to follow along!
You’ve freakin got this!! You know it too!!!
Yep… You’ve freakin’ got this! So excited for you!!! Can’t wait to see the finish line photos of pure awesomeness!! I know you’ll have an amazing weekend! And Em is the best running partner evah! No need for wishes of good luck… You’re ready and prepared!! Go get it!
So excited for you!! Have a great time this weekend and run fast!
Phoenix was where I became a runner and Scottsdale (where you will run through) was the place I called home for 9 years. The pacers will most likely be from my old running club, Sole Sports, and they are the nicest people you will ever meet. You can totally rock this! I’ll be cheering (with my growing pregnant belly) from so cal and thinking of you! Kick some gravel a$& and bring home that PR!!
I’m just so proud of you reading this! I know you will kick ass tomorrow, PR! And have a transcendent time doing it!! #runthemileyourin (x26)
Good luck! Chocolate milk though!? I’d love to benefit from that but if you are lactose intolerant you might have to refuel with something else.
I am imagining myself running a marathon with you. Yep, I would probably need a golf cart or an ATV to keep up with you! LMFAO. How would you like your own personal ATV crew driving next to you cheering you on while you run?!?!?!