A Passion for Running

Welcome to the home of Mark aka The Running Blogfather – a 40 year-old dad, husband and marathon runner who’s beaten injury and is on the comeback trail!

hmmm…

passion for running category: running on Tuesday, August 31 2004

A recent post on Richard’s blog got me looking again at the McMillan Calculator which says based on two recent races (a 5.4 mile race and a 1/2 marathon) I’m capable of running a 3:33 marathon. The prediction makes my head swirl.

The goal I’ve set is to run a 3:36 but there is a lot of doubt in my mind about even achieving that goal. In fact, I set the goal purposefully high so I wouldn’t underachieve. I based this bit of goal setting on Richard’s very poignant remark, “You may not be able to live up to your expectations, but you will almost always live down to them.”.

On the other hand, I had doubts about running a 1:40:59 half-marathon which I did very strongly just last week.

Am I getting faster? Race results seem to be saying I am but for some reason there is this nagging doubt that although I am faster up to the half marathon distance, the speed improvement may not translate to being a faster marathon runner? After completing five marathons, I know there is a huge difference between running a 1/2 versus a full marathon.

Is my mind imagining limitations that are not there? This, I think, is the biggest question for me. Chris has suggested some reading in this area and Richard is definitely great at thinking positively in terms of one’s potential.

Aaron recently asked me some questions about my race plan for Victoria. Frankly, I’m struggling. Should I go out with a 3:33 pace or my goal pace of 3:36? I could try to answer the question by first answering another question: What’s the slowest time I’d be happy with? My answer is that I’d settle for a 3:39 and would be unhappy finishing slower than my last marathon (3:42). After all, we all want to improve right?

So, it looks like I’m left with one final question: Will running at a 3:33 pace burn me out and prevent me from getting a 3:36 or even a 3:39?

I’m beginning to think it comes down to deciding whether I’m going to “go for it” and risk failure, or play it safer in order to “guarantee” a slower PR. Saying what I just said reminds me of another fact: There are no guarantees when you run 26.2 miles!

One last piece of information: The difference between attempting a 3:33 and a 3:36 is 5 seconds per kilometer. Is that a big deal? It might not seem to be but stretch it out over 26.2 miles and I think it might be!

Decisions, decisions…

Advice? Do I just get some balls and run the pace McMillan says I can run?




19 Comments

705

Comment by Pamalamadingdong

Wednesday September 01, 2004 @

Mar, it’like you’re not speaking english! All I know i that NOTHING you do would surprise me.
GO FOR IT! (not that i know what I’m talking about!)

706

Comment by Jon in Michigan

Wednesday September 01, 2004 @

I don’t know if you should push it or not, if its an all or nothing situation. Then again, maybe you are at the point where this is how a marathon goes. You push the goal you want and either you get there or you totally fall apart. 5 seconds a kilometer? That’s a really tight margin. Like I said, maybe this is where this level takes you. After 5 marathons, just finishing or simply a PR may not be enough anymore.

Final thought, what the heck, go for it. :)

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Comment by Mark

Wednesday September 01, 2004 @

Pam, thanks! I appreciate the vote of confidence!

Jon, you’ve hit on a couple of things. First, I guess “just finishing” no longer would make me happy and I do not say that intending to insult people who are setting out to complete their first marathon because finishing really is a huge accomplishment. However, for ME, I feel I’ve battled through some BRUTAL marathons (remember my “Hot Marathon” story?) so I’ve got the confidence to finish. I’m at the point where I want to improve which gets to your next point. How MUCH do I want to improve and will a greater risk sap my strenght early? The marathon is all about running as fast as you can WHILE also conserving energy over 26 miles. It is a really really interesting and difficult balancing act. Too much and you could burn out and suck for the last 10km. Too little and you don’t realize your true potential! Thanks!

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Comment by Chris Brogan...

Wednesday September 01, 2004 @

Speaking as a never-before coach, here’s my suggestion: you run the race you find before you on that day. Check things out in the first few kms. If you are feeling like a god, put your 333 pace in action. If you’re unsure, wait a few more kms. When you hit mile 21 (whatever that is in kms), make up your mind. Turn your pace up and run negatives. Make your move then. Study the splits from the Olympic marathon. Those dudes started busting 4:30 mile paces over the last few miles. You’re ready for that. Just run the race you find there that day.

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Comment by Mark

Wednesday September 01, 2004 @

GREAT advice Chris. Maybe you SHOULD be a coach?!

710

Comment by Deene

Wednesday September 01, 2004 @

“Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.”

Enjoy the run.

711

Comment by Mark

Wednesday September 01, 2004 @

Ha! I love it!!

712

Comment by Lesley

Wednesday September 01, 2004 @

Okay, so I’ll be the BITCH of the group…what happens if at mile 22 you are off your mark (catchy word)? Will you quit? or will you be satisfied that you finished?

713

Comment by Mark

Wednesday September 01, 2004 @

That’s not being a bitch Lesley! It is merely pointing out the other side of things – the side I’m having trouble deciding on!! Whatever I decide (faster vs. slower) I will be comfortable with how it turns out.

…and I will not quit!

Thanks MG!

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Comment by Richard

Wednesday September 01, 2004 @

Yeah – what they said. For me, I don’t think that my pacing is good enough to nail a 5 second / km difference (although that’s something that I’m working on). You said it yourself though, that once you have the confidence and experience to get beyond finishing, the marathon is a balancing act.

And a great one at that.

But that’s the true challenge. Most any runner can do a 5K, and come close to their potential even with poor management (note: for elites, close but not on can still feel terrible). The marathon is a thoughtful race though, needing both long-term planning and on-the-spot tactics to do correctly. If you’re going to race it, rather than run it, I say that you have to go for your peak performance on that day. Only you will know how close you came to hitting that magical 100% target (without, as Bob Barker would say, going over).

Best of luck with whatever you choose!

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Comment by Richard

Wednesday September 01, 2004 @

Let me through some more wood on the fire, while I’m here.

What makes you think that you won’t get any faster between now and then? Is a 3:30 completely out of the question?

[grins and ducks]

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Comment by Mark

Wednesday September 01, 2004 @

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

717

Comment by april anne

Wednesday September 01, 2004 @

How about 3:34.5? :)

718

Comment by Mark

Wednesday September 01, 2004 @

Now you guys are just makin’ fun of me! ;)

719

Comment by Richard

Wednesday September 01, 2004 @

But of course!

Except that I was serious about that 3:30.

Well, kinda serious anyway.

720

Comment by Mark

Wednesday September 01, 2004 @

Oh I know…I know. I’m thinking.

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Comment by Richard

Wednesday September 01, 2004 @

Well, if you don’t want to have any balls (your phrase, not mine), that’s entirely your decision.

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Comment by Mark

Wednesday September 01, 2004 @

Holy CRAP! Is that you or Aaron typing these things? Are you sure your last name isn’t Irish and starts with T? You and he sound like twins – it’s uncanny!!!

Just so we are all on the same page, this is the part where I would continue trying to ignore Aaron and he would continue needling me until I finally gave him the “right” answer.

I am seriously considering the 3:30 Richard. As Aaron would know and you are learning – I am a slow study and often need time to digest things before I can make like everything was my idea in the first place and you just happened to be around! Yeah, that’s about right.

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Comment by Reba

Sunday September 05, 2004 @

Mark, you remind me so much of myself. Well not the fast running thing tho! LOL Just that I’m very bright but I need some time to get there. ~sneaky giggles~ Well, this may sound over-simplified but why not train for for the 30 and know that whatever the number is on race day: YOU OWN IT from blood, sweat, tears and ‘passion for running.’?

Good luck with the choice…I drink kiwi-pear green tea to help me figure out the tough answers so I’ll drink one in your honour tonight. :)

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