As predicted, driving to Shannon on Tuesday evening didn't do me any favours. My right hamstring got tighter and tighter the longer I sat in the car, and by the time I got back home, it wasn’t just stiff, it actually hurt. So, now I've got 2 dodgy hamstrings rather than one, in addition to the pain in my left quads. Great! But it won’t stop me on Monday. Nothing will.
I did run 5 recovery miles on Wednesday morning towards Ard-na-Sidhe. This used to be one of my favourite routes, but lately it started freaking me out. Running in darkness through the woods, with the inevitable noises from all kinds of animals, is kinda spooky. Or maybe it's just the fairies trying to stop me from visiting them all the time? For whatever reason, I ran a bit faster than my usual recovery pace, but not outrageously so.
Today was a dress rehearsal for the marathon, with 7 miles at marathon pace. Pfitz recommends wearing the same shoes and outfit as for the marathon. I didn't go quite as far, my marathon outfit has been stored away a while ago, and I don't want to mess it up now. But I did test my pacing. The first 3.5 miles went by in about 28:30, roughly 8:10 pace, exactly the kind of pace I want to hit for the first miles in Dublin. Good. For the return leg my initial reaction was to speed up to hit 7:50 on the way back, but I did manage to reign myself in. I always speed up automatically a few miles into any run without having to up the effort, and I expected to hit 7:50 without pushing any harder. It very nearly worked, the time for the second half of the run was 27:40, about 7:55 pace. If I manage to hit those times in Dublin, I shall be happy enough. Of course it's one thing running 7 miles on my own on my usual routes, and a completely different thing to repeat that packed into the streets of Dublin with 10000 other people. But the work is now done, and I'm so looking forward to the marathon, I do not have the words to describe it. I will most likely run another 5 easy miles tomorrow morning, and that's it then. If it's raining, I'll bag the workout (I would have done the same today, but it stopped raining just before I got up). I don’t want to get another cold.
My bib number for the marathon is 10176, and the website is http://www.dublincitymarathon.ie. They don't have a tracking facility though as far as I can see.
25 Oct: 5 miles, 44:54, 8:58 pace
26 Oct: 7 miles, 56:11, 8:01 pace
Nothing. Nothing will stop you.
ReplyDeleteDon't even mention the word c___.
What a shame there are no camaras for this events, still I will follow your event, how exciting!!
Good luck with your race, and have faith in your training. Pfitz 18/55 took me from a 3:45 predicted in May, to an actual 3:29 in October.
ReplyDeleteYou are going to do great.
good luck!!!!! i can't wait to read your race report. You have had such a great training program you are going to fly thruogh the marathon!
ReplyDeleteYou've been committed and have worked hard. You are going to have a great run. GOOD LUCK!
ReplyDeleteGood luck--I will be following you in Chicago. Enjoy the moment it's the icing on the cake. Looking forward to your race report. You know you're ready!:)
ReplyDeleteThomas, you are well ready for this - I am sure all those little niggles will be forgotten once you're over the starting line! I'm so excited for you, I know you will do well.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you on Monday. I am sure the little injuries will disappear by Monday.
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog since a few months now and based on what I have read, you might surprise yourself on Monday. You will get a great result, because you have worked so hard for it and all those efforts will pay off.
I am from Belgium and will be running the Dublin Marathon too on Monday. And I am really looking forward to it.
Thomas, Thomas, what program are you reading from anyway? I know it's too late now but my copy of the 24 week plan says '7 miles with 2mi at marathon pace' (not 7 miles at MP!) You really are ready and only have to hold your enthusiasm and fitness in check for the 1st 1/2 of the race. Good luck, good karma and do your best!
ReplyDelete# ganbatte - Do your best [used very often to encourage others "good luck"] in Japan
Nothing will stop you! Hope your legs get straightened, er stretched err..hope they feel better really SOON!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your bib number. You must have read our collective minds. I imagine the last thing you'll think about is blogging after your race is over, but we'll want to know the results as soon as they are posted.
ReplyDeleteYou're a braver man than I if you run through the forest in the dark. Running through the desert in the dark completely freaks me out. Every noise I hear is a snake or a coyote (or lion, tiger, or bear ... oh my). I just can't do it.
All your aches and pains will melt away once you get to the start line. Your biggest challange will be to hold yourself back and run your race during the early going; especially with so many people run around you.
You're going to do great.
Best of luck Thomas, you're certainly ready to break the 3:30, give it your best shot!
ReplyDeleteTrust your training Thomas :)
ReplyDeleteWe all know that you are going to have an awesome race! I will follow your event and look forward to your race report.
Have fun!
A very crowded marathon, as a famous man said: many enemies much glory!
ReplyDeleteThomas,
ReplyDeleteYou will do great. Good luck in Dublin.
Thomas, You are gonna run so well! You are ready, and you've put in some awesome training. Can't wait to hear back!
ReplyDeleteI got a new ring today - made in Dublin! We ordered it about a month ago, for our anniversary. It is beautiful!
Good luck on Monday Thomas. I can't wait to hear the results.
ReplyDelete