Finish Line in Sight

Inspiration

Last night we had our final official clinic session before the Mississauga Marathon. We had an excellent guest speaker, Predrag Mladenovic, a local champ as well as a well-respected runner both nationally and internationally.

Predrag shared with us some of his own experiences in tackling the marathon distance. He in fact won the Mississauga Marathon in 2007, which was his first marathon at the time!

I found it fascinating to hear from such an elite runner and while I may never know how it feels to break the tape, I could relate on many levels. It was interesting to learn that he experiences pre-race nerves just like we do, and battles those physical and mental challenges late in the marathon just like we do. Whether you're racing in the top 3 or back of the pack, a marathon is a marathon. Predrag said many times that "42 kilometres is 42 kilometres!"

Final Run

I opted out of the group run last night in favour of running some errands and turning in early, so I headed out this morning before work for my final pre-marathon run. It was a nice and easy 5K around the neighbourhood. Everything appears to be in good working order...

And that about wraps it up!

Training by Numbers

# weeks: 16

# runs: 84

distance: 1035KM (~647mi)

average weekly mileage: 65KM (~41mi)

highest weekly mileage: 77KM (~48mi)

highest monthly mileage: (April) 319KM (~198mi)

# runs 25K (~15mi) or more: 10

# runs 30K (~18.6mi) or more: 6

# runs 32K (~20mi) or more: 4

races: 5 (HM and 30K PR) + 1 virtual


And it all comes down to 26.2 miles on Sunday...


Goal!

I do not have A, B and C goals like I normally would. This time around I have only one time goal and it's no secret around here:

sub-4:00:00

Other goals/plans/thoughts:

• Start smart! I will not go out too fast. I know what pace I need to run, I know how it feels and I know I can hold it.

• I will not try to "bank" time. Starting conservatively has worked best for me on long runs and I have almost always succeeded with a negative split. The plan is to run a 2:00 first half and shave some time off the second half if I can (or hold on for dear life).

• My fueling/hydration/electrolyte replacement plan is in place and I will stick to it because I know it works. (Gu every 5 miles, 1 Gu Chump in between on the 2.5, salt cap before the race and half way, water in my Nathan handheld to be refilled as needed.)

• My race day outfit has been selected (pictured below) and I've started laying out gear. Our dining room is starting to look like Race Central!

• Possible pacing from my former clinic instructor/coach (Don) from 14K-28K (hopefully timing will work out); it would be nice to let someone monitor my pace for me during this 'middle section' of the race.

• Hubs will be out on the course (with my orange wedges!) at various points - I know seeing him will give me a boost! I want to make him proud.

• 3 of my girlfriends have arranged to show up from out of town and will also be out on the course (WITH COWBELLS) to cheer me on. This means the world to me!

• Countless friends and running companions will be racing or cheering... there will be no shortage of support.

• I will TRUST my training and BELIEVE in myself. I CAN DO THIS!

Live tracking will be available at Sportstats.ca - Search for bib # 197 under Mississauga Marathon.

2 more sleeps!