I’ve been feeling the urge to do another marathon. Shoo has preschool every Tuesday, so I could do my long run while he’s at school. I’ve even picked one I want to do : Madison, Wisconsin. It’s near a huge percent of my extended family, including my parents. It’s on Memorial Day weekend, so I could fly up with the boys for a long weekend. Am I crazy? I’m beginning to think so.
Of course, Madison does offer a half marathon. Maybe I should run that with my dad. It appears to be a fast crowd or a fast course (or both) as a 2:18 finish would have put me in the bottom third if I had run at that pace at last year’s race. (My 4:50 marathon pace would put me in the bottom 10 percent! Maybe this is not the race for me LOL)
I’ve been playing around with the various prediction tools the RW had in their last magazine. On all of them, my pace tracks up through the 10 mile point. Using the calculators, my half and full marathons should have been faster (different calculators differed on how much faster, but all said faster). Interestingly, my half and full times predict each other. My interpretation of this? I’ve got decent speed up through 10 miles and then my body just starts slowing down in a big way. Not sure what to do with that, though. I don’t like racing at the 5K distance as it’s too much effort (race sign up, getting there, etc) for too little time running. 10Ks and 10 milers and halfs exist around here, but not in abundance.
At least I have a goal for the moment: knocking out my 1000 as fast as possible. I’ve been running some pretty fast 3 milers to get it done. 3.2 today, 56.8 left to go. Hopefully I’ll get the 6.8 in tomorrow. ;o)
And for the amusement of you northern girls… I ran outside today. It was about 33 degrees and not really windy. I wore running tights AND running pants on the bottom and a lightweight technical tee, heavier technical tee, and fleece on top. I also wore a hat and gloves. I was only a bit overwarm at the end. Yeah, I’m gonna freeze to death when we head to WI for the holidays.
I should NOT COMMENT HERE as the phrase (paraphrased :)) about your feeling to urge to do another marathon is so. very. foreign. to me :)but I wanted to comment to say I am longing, hoping to some day feel that way about my little running.
This is a great time of year to figure out what to do for 2009 and make plans. Maybe another full marathon is on the horizon for you.You sounded over dressed for 3 deg to me! I’ve found that when I’m comfy at the start I end up overheading and start shedding layers.The other day I had to take off my hat, my gloves, a shirt…and I was running carrying all of this stuff. LOL
awesome to have something to work towards! I’m sure you’re going to hit your mileage goal too 🙂
Pace calculators, etc are computers, so while they may help us predict a race pace, ultimately we are human and we run like humans, not robots. It’s natural to start slowing down after 10 miles. Doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for the full marathon.
I agree with what Jess said. :)Great job on your run in the cold!
I want to do a May marathon as well but just don’t know with all this weather BAH!Ooohh and don’t sweat a “fast” marathon. The average finishing time for the one I did was 3:54 and you know my butt was bringing up the rear LMAO! There’s still a nice crowd in the back 😉
That looks like a great marathon! And sounds like you would have a pretty big cheering section. It’s that time of year when I’m getting excited thinking about 2009 goals…
wow that is a really fast marathon.. I’ll be passing on that as I prefer to try and end up higher just so my ego feels all warm and fuzzy
Go for it. What do you have to lose? You’ve already lost your sanity.
If you feel ready, then go for it! But only if you feel ready. This is from someone who just disappointed herself b/c she wasn’t ready 🙁
I’ve always thought Madison would be fun – I too have lots of family around there. 33 degrees sounds like a heat wave. You are in for trouble when you head up north!