Big D Marathon - Next BQ Attempt due to Qualifier Rule Changes

The new Boston Qualification rules totally messed up my marathon plans this year.  I signed up for Chicago for my next BQ attempt.  But now, with the new rules, that race will fall into the 2013 qualification cycle and I will need to run a 3:15 to qualify there.  If I run a marathon before september, I need a 3:20 to qualify.

SO....  I needed a new race.  Anything past early April was probably going to be too late to to higher temperatures.  Also, I am watching my fitness expenses and connot afford to fly to two marathons this year.

The decision came down to either Oklahoma city on May 1 or Dig D on April 10.  If I did OKC, I would not be able to do Centennial 1/2 and it will probably be hot.

SO...  Big D it is. 

The Pros:

1. The race is close enough that I can really focus on it
2. RnR 1/2 will be a great sharpening race two weeks before
3. I know the area and the course well
4. I do not have to travel
5. It is a smaller race so I will not be fighting crowds too much

The Cons:

1. I have been working on middle distance and speed lately and have only a few weeks to dial in longer distance
2. The weather could still be hot
3. The course is hilly and I will still have to battle the "Dolly Partons" at the end

 Regardless, I am now committed and here is my plan for the next 6 weeks:

NEXT 3 WEEKS:

• Sundays run 20ish
• Recovery loop on Tuesdays instead of track. 
  
• Slower on hills on Wed (8:15 pace). 
• Hard on Tempo on Thursday. 
• Target weekly mileage at 50 miles.

RnR

• Three Day Taper (take off Tempo)
• Race RnR 1/2 hard on the 27th.

Train med-hard week after RnR - Target 35 Miles

Taper week of 4th - Target 13 Miles (not including Marathon)

The only thing I need to overcome (other than staying injury free) is this light headedness I get at mile 19-20.  It hit me hard yesterday.  I know I underfueled yesterday.  I want to do some experimenting next week.  I am going to try oatmeal and raisins before the run and then alternate between GU and bananas every 3 miles. 

Hardening

A few of my running buddies talk about hardening every now and then.  Usually it is in the context of trying to get folks to show up for sub 20degree or rainy runs.  For a long time, I have to admit that I did not really understand this whole thing and chalked it up to machismo.  Shoot, just going out and running in good conditions felt pretty tough to me. 

Lately, deliberately developing mental hardness is starting to make sense. 

This winter, we have had a long series of really cold runs.  Until today, I don't think I have run in above freezing temps in several weeks and some of those runs have been in the teens.  Also, on longer runs, I am not taking water breaks like I used to.  In fact, the last two 13 + mile runs have been waterless.  Not a drop.  If you told me I would run a 1/2 marathon without water a year ago, I would have told you that was just stupid.

The last hardening factor is sustained speed on long runs.  The last three or four DRP long runs have been some of the strongest of my life.  On Sunday DRP long runs, I get that race feeling - 1/2 dread - 1/2 excitement.  I know I am going to push myself and hurt a little, but will also grab another gear.  Doing this repetitively for many weeks has made a huge physical difference, but more importantly, I feel like it is giving me a mental edge.

So, where is all this going?  I hypothesize that this mental toughness will pay off in a big way in races.  Last year, I think I would mentally sych myself out way too easily and back off if I was fatigued, thirsty, cold or discouraged.

Right now, I feel like I have a new mental fortitude that I really want to test in a race.  At the Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon, I am going to really go for it and try to run a sub 1:30.  That is just a number, but to get there is going to take some real mental focus and will require me to push through the "hurdles" that held me back last year.  I am really looking forward to mile 11 and being on pace target and getting a chance to throw down two last 6:45s and just crush my goal.

If it happens, it will not be about the physical shape I am in, it will be all about mental hardness.

Chris M is as great a presenter as writer...

I almost forgot about Insanity

Sheri and I did Insanity Max Cardio Circuit today.  It kicked both of our butts.  I think it is good to sub this out for a run because it works some of the lateral muscles and stabilizers that pure running doesn't.

Chicago Marathon

Just registered for the 2011 Chicago Marathon!  October 9, 2011 is going to be a day to remember.  1500ish miles from now I hope to be prepared for a solid Boston Qualification.