I haven't mentioned it in my blog yet, but I do have a time I would like to finish my first marathon in. I dont think it is a unrealistic time if I stay strong all the way through. But that is the issue. Can I stay strong all the way through? I have no doubt that I can finish it. I honestly believe that I can. It's just a matter of keeping pace.
I really do not know what to expect. As of this post, marathon day is 23 days away. Makes me want to throw up just thinking about it. I plan on taking Jamoosh's advise and pace myself and just finish it. But I just can't get the time out of my head right now. I'm hoping this weekend's 20 miler will give me the wake up call that I need.
6 comments:
I am not a fast runner, and I've only done one marathon.....but my advice would be to have fun and enjoy the experience...don't kill yourself worrying about time. When I went into my first one I had a goal time of course, but in the end, I decided not to worry about that and just enjoy the ride. I will say my experience was a bit different because I was at Disney and there were lots of photo opportunities along the route which take alot of time. I could have passed them all by to get my goal time, but I decided I would rather have the experience than the time. But at the end of the day you have to do what works for you and will make you happy! Good luck!
You probably have enough information form your last three longest runs to get an idea of your probable finishing time. The key, of course, is to stick to your strategy and not go out too fast.
I agree with Michael. Enjoy it. You get an instant PR and not matter what time you come in with, you'll want to do better the next time(if there is one). Relax, pace yourself, finish strong. The unknown is the worst part of the first marathon but once you start running, your training will take over. Can't wait to hear all about it.
Hey Jose!
Well, you know I'm not fast....even when timed by a sundial, but I think the key point is to just have fun and enjoy the ride. I've always looked at the marathon as graduation....all the training was work, now it's time to reap the benefits! You're a fast dude, so I have no doubt your first time will be quite impressive, but you'll no doubt learn a lot about yourself that day.
Having a time goal is natural....as runners, no matter our speed, we are creatures of the clock. It's just that when it comes down to that day, you never know what's going to happen. Trust your training and like Jamoosh said, don't go out too fast, 'cause you'll pay for it at the end!
I don't think there's any reason to not "go for" a certain time. You've trained and are a strong runner and probably have a pretty good idea of what you can do on a great day.
The key is to NOT let the time goal be the "be all end all" of your first marathon experience. Don't make it so hard that it sucks the joy out of your day. Don't let it define your first marathon experience. Rather, keep it as something to aim for if perfection happens, but really, a bonus in the grand scheme of things.
Does that make any sort of sense?
Someone once told me to go out slow - and if you can, slower than what you think is slow. You pay for too much early speed big time.
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