A Passion for Running

place yer bets!

passion for running category: running on Tuesday, May 15 2007

I set my marathon PR of 3:42:53 (8:30 min/mile) on October 2003 on a course touted as “the flattest course in Canada”. I was 36 years old at the time and weighed 167 pounds.

Today, I’m just shy of 40 years of age and weigh in at 160 pounds.

Depending on who I talk to, Red Deer Marathon is either “gently rolling” (what the race organizer told me) or “a hilly beeyatch” (what Aaron told me). I think the bottom line is that this course is more hilly than the course I set my PR on. By how much, I don’t know.

In 2003, I trained at around 45 miles a week and did a lot of speedwork (intervals, yassoo 800s etc). For this marathon, I’ve run at 65 to 70 miles a week with tons of tempo and marathon pace running.

In 2003, my fastest 20 miler was run around an 8:45 minute/mile pace. For this marathon, I ran my last one at an overall 8:15 minute mile pace – but with 15 miles of it at sub-8:00.

Coach Andrew says I have it in me to run a “high-risk” 3:20 Boston qualifying marathon, or a “lower-risk” 3:27 marathon. I’m shooting for a 3:27.

One last thing: I’m fighting a cold and sore throat.

Place your bets!

12 comments

12 Comments »

76130

Comment by Thomas

Tuesday May 15, 2007 @

I bet you’re going to run under 3:28:42, which happens to be my present PR, and then I’ll have to catch up in October.

76131

Comment by 21stCenturyMom

Tuesday May 15, 2007 @

Aaron probably has the more accurate description (being as he isn’t trying to sell the race) so we’ll go with ‘hilly’.

I vote that you PR but not by a huge margin. You will have race day adreneline on your side.

You already know this but don’t go out too fast!

Good luck – I’m looking forward to reading your race report.

76132

Comment by Adeel

Tuesday May 15, 2007 @

I predict 3:25-3:30. What does 3:27 represent?

76133

Comment by Mark

Tuesday May 15, 2007 @

3:27 is a 7:55 minute/mile – the pace I seem to very comfortably fall into during my marathon pace runs.

76142

Comment by Mike Power

Tuesday May 15, 2007 @

I have a feeling that this will be your easiest PR ever! In fact you’ll hardly break a sweat and will run the last 385 yards backwards!! No, have fun and enjoy your hard earned reward on race day.

76143

Comment by Runner (aka La Lynx)

Tuesday May 15, 2007 @

I won’t be surprised if you hit the 3:20 BQ!

76145

Comment by Jon (was) in Michigan

Tuesday May 15, 2007 @

I’d put my money on a BQ. Without question. Race day fire coupled with more mental experience since your last PR, I’m thinking you will outperform your expectations.

PS
I told you I was older than you.