04 October 2010

Everyone has a plan - until they get punched in the face

-- Mike Tyson

Well, that being said...here's my plan for the Glacial Trail 50k this Sunday:

I've run on this course more than any race I've ever run. I may have peaked a bit early for this event. My last 'tune-up' race a couple weeks ago went really well (I won the North Face Marathon). BUT despite that, I still feel like I can run well at Glacial Trail. So, we'll see what happens. I know I'm not going to win this event. There are a lot of fast runners on the starters' list. In addition, this has been an event that seems to favor those runners who have run the course. Because of my time on the course, I think I have higher expectations than I would if I wasn't familiar with the course, but I still think I need to temper those expectations. My legs just don't seem to have 'come back' in my runs since North Face.

Last week I ran a couple 'long runs' on the course, covering (on Thursday) miles .5-7 and back in a new record time for me, and then (on Saturday) miles 7-13.3 and back in another new record time. If I add those two runs together, I finished in 3:13. Could I run the entire course in under 4? VERY unlikely.

So, I'll go into this run and try to push in the flat sections but, at least on the way out of the out-and-back, go easy on the bigger uphills. The second half of this course is definitely tougher than the 'out,' and the last 7 miles will test me, for sure. If I can get to the last 2 miles with some energy left in my legs, then I know that the final 2 miles (which contains a downhill and then a road section) may give me some spurt for a good kick.

Overall goals? If I don't finish in the top 10 I'd be disappointed. I'd like to compete for a top 5. Time wise, I 'd like to PR in the 50k distance, which means a 4:23.

Until Sunday, I can just rest, eat right, hydrate, and think about that return run!

1 comment:

Glaven Q. Heisenberg said...

Everyone has a plan - until they get punched in the face.

Oooo! Oooooo! Can I be the one to punch you in the face? Let's be honest: I've earned it. Plus, Johnny-come-lately Eddy already got to kick you in the face multiple times ... that should have been me kicking you! We both know it! Eddy bogarted MY glory!

Hahahahaha!

Good luck on Sunday, Nic! I'm betting a 4:10 or under!