Speed, I am Speed

OK, not really, but we watch a lot of Lightning McQueen and NASCAR around here, thanks to Shoo…

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about my running plan for the actual race (when I’m not worrying about things I have no control over like the weather). My average pace for my 20 mile runs was 10:30 – 11 minutes when I was actually running (as opposed to using the bathroom, refilling bottles or hanging out at red lights.) So, my plan is to run at a 10:30 pace as much as possible, for as long as possible.

Sounds simple, right? Well, with 20,000+ runners, there will be some serious bottlenecking at the beginning. Then, there are the two SERIOUS hills in the first eight miles and probably enough people that I won’t be able to use my usual method of catching up some time on the downhills. Add in the way too many porta-potty stops I’ll need to make (’cause sometimes it just sucks to be female) and fairly significant lines at each of those…

Goal 1: Beat the Bridge. To do that, I need to do 20 miles in 5 hours. Barring any injuries or really bizarre occurences, this should not be a problem.

Goal 2: To finish. If I BtB, I should be able to finish, even if I have to crawl the last mile or so.

If I manage to accomplish the above, I’ll have accomplished what I wanted when I started this journey. I’ll walk (ok, limp, hobble, crawl) away from the experience a happy woman.

But, in reality, I have other goals.

Goal 3: To finish in five hours, after I subtract out long potty stops. I know this wouldn’t be an “official” time, but I can’t let the bad timing of my body make me feel like I missed the goal I really want to make.

Goal 4: (If I manage this, I’ll be walking on air for the next few weeks, I’m sure) Finish in five hours or less as my Official time.