Long runs?

Leading up to any race I’m usually pretty nervous and especially so for USATF NE championship races.  As I get older it seems I get MORE nervous, probably because the real possibility of injury during a race (with old worn ligaments and muscles).  I’m definitely worried about the marathon this weekend since I’ve not done anything close to what passes for “marathon training”.  I keep saying that the key to any race is actually making it to the starting line, and if I keep saying it maybe I can convince myself ☺

Last year I ran the Vermont City marathon which was my first marathon in 5 years and I definitely was not ready.  This year I’m a bit better prepared which may be a bad thing as my expectations are a lot higher than last year.  I was hoping to break 3:30 last year (and ran 3:09).  This year my goal is to break 3:09.  If everything goes well I think I can break 3:05 and if the stars all align maybe I can break 3:00?  The course at Manchester is tougher than Vermont but I’ve put in 500 more miles over the 20 weeks leading up to this race compared to the lead in to VT.  I’m still seriously lacking in long runs having only run 12 times over 8 miles during those 20 weeks.  I do take some comfort that in 2015 I only had 7 runs over 8 miles, so theoretically I’ve done some longer runs.

Nothing left to do now but to show up and give it a go.

 

2015		2016
Weeks
88		80
82		80
86		80
84		80
76		80
72		80
70		80
56		80
38		80
0		80
9		80
80		80
74		80
75		80
70		83
51		50
35		80
0		80
0		80
0		80
1046	Total	1573
Over 8		Over 8
6-10s		2-9s
1-12s		1-10s
		3-12s
		2-13s
		2-15s
		1-16s
		1-18s
7 total		12 total