Training

Today was the Steamboat Marathon, my 25th! While I finished a tough race in what is an acceptable time:

Gun time (no chips): 3:53:29
Overall: 95/313
Gender: 35/156
Age Group: 7/33

I wasn’t happy with how it went, overall. I just didn’t have the energy mid-race; and yet when I smelled the barn, I was able to pick it up. I passed 5 or 6 women within the last mile, turning my fastest mile (other than during the 600 ft elevation drop in miles 5 and 6). While it’s good to have a finishing kick, I need to have a “during” kick as well!

I also noticed a disturbing trend in my 2009 races:
Jan (Arizona): 3:29
Feb (Last Chance): 3:35
April (Boston): 3:47
June (Steamboat): 3:53

I don’t like this slowing down, and I suspect I may know the culprit: the last time I did any real training for a race was that Arizona one.

I already picked up the new second edition of “Advanced Marathoning” and started reading it last night in preparation for Twin Cities in the fall, and had been scheduled to start my 12 week plan on July 12th. Now I’m thinking that I will use the 5 weeks before that to do some Heart Rate Training (I’ve had Heart Monitor Training for the Compleat Idiot for years, but have never officially followed their schedule).

I love running, but I think I’d love it more if I could overcome this downtime through miles 15-18..