I’m back on track with the miles – and I had a great pre race 20 mile run.

Bring on the marathon!

On Sunday I was to do a 17/18 mile run with the first 5 easy, the middle 10 at marathon pace (7:10 min/mile) and the last 2/3 easy – taking gels at 5, 10, 13 & 15 miles

I decided I needed to do a 20 mile run to get over my fear of the distance because my longest runs were 2 18 milers. I also decided to not change the distances to take the gels.

It was very cold when I started and the first mile was at 8:20 – so I decided to keep each mile at 8:20 and looking at the splits, I managed to do it. At times I needed to up the pace a bit as I felt the pace dropping off in order to ensure every mile was below 8:20

In order to take the gels and to hydrate correctly I ensured I was passing my house at 5, 10, 13 & 15 miles – I actually stopped to drink and take the gel – I think it will be critical to take on enough water during the marathon to feel as good as I did during this training run!

I had no issue dropping the pace to 7:10 min/miles even though I found some of the 8:20 min/miles hard – go figure. If I tell my body to do something and it is able for it – It will just do it 🙂 but it may still feel hard.

At Mile 12.5 I felt a major blister on my left heal, so at the mile 13 gel stop I put on a plaster – this was gone a mile later and I just decided to keep going. The blister was caused by my socks being too short and the back of the runner hitting off the back of my foot. Note: wear longer socks!!!!!

When I finished mile 15 and I was to drop the pace back down – I hadn’t really decided what pace to do – but I was a bit fast! another running was going the same direction as me, and I thought it would be good to run together, he seemed to speed up a bit and I followed but eventually I got sense and left him go.

I settled on 8:10 min/mile for the last 4 miles and I really felt great. At Mile 18 I raised my arms as if I was finishing the marathon and I could feel the victory crossing the line in under 3 hours 10 minutes, feeling tired but good. I really have this in the bag.

During the run I planned Dublin – I’ll line up in front of the 3h 10m pacers and within the first mile I’ll drop back to the 3:10 pacers.

I’ll stick with the 3:10 pacers (7:15 pace) until Mile 10, and then I’ll drop my pace by 5 seconds (7:10 pace) until Mile 23. At Mile 23 with 3 miles left I’ll give what ever I have left in the tank – the objective is to come in under 3h 10m