Weekend Preview: Race #12, Napa
It seems like just a few days ago I was enjoying a great run in the Tampa Gasparilla Marathon. Is it already time to take a close look at my next race? Oh yeah, this is the joy of Operation Jack. My legs finally started feeling better yesterday. I'm carb-loading starting today. And I'm running the Napa Valley Marathon on Sunday.
First real quick, I'm trying something new as a fundraiser and contest all rolled into one. Guess my time this weekend in the form of an easy donation — donate $3.12 if you think I'm going to run a 3:12 or donate $3.03 if you think I'm going to run a 3:03. If you're the closest without guessing too fast of a time, I'll send you your choice of an Operation Jack tech shirt or an Operation Jack sweatshirt. If there's a tie, I'll randomly select a winner.
To make your donation, click the "DONATE NOW!" link at the top of any page on this site. Or, just click here. It's super-simple, it's less than the cost of a cup of coffee at Starbucks (unless you think I'm going to be really slow) and it helps Operation Jack. So please, show me some love! Here's my guess about how fast I'm going to run and why:
Race #12: Napa Valley Marathon
I really wanted a good confidence boost last week in Tampa, not only because I haven't been too thrilled with how I've been running, but because I wanted to feel comfortable giving Napa Valley a good run.
I knew I had a few things working against me last week. First, I was coming off of a 3:15. I had to fly from coast to coast. I ran a 15K and a 5K all-out the day before. I didn't enough sleep the two nights prior. And the race went off at 6 a.m. Eastern, which was 3 a.m. according to my body, and I was up more than two hours before the start.
There's plenty of physical aspects to a marathon. But there's a big mental aspect to it, too. And to have run a semi-conservative 3:09 under those conditions, as I had planned, gives me all the confidence in the world heading into this weekend's race.
In thinking back to last week, I think I could have been 2 to 3 minutes faster. I also think the run made me a little bit stronger. I'm obviously not 100 percent, nor will I be before next year, but I think I have a pretty good chance at running my fastest race of the year this weekend.
The course in Napa, from what I've seen, looks like it has some moderate rollers and has a small downhill net. Slight inclines don't faze me right now, and I'm feeling pretty strong on gradual downhills. In Pasadena, I wasn't very motivated, but there was one mile at about 12 on the south side of the Rose Bowl that was a very slight downhill. It felt essentially flat with a tiny, tiny bit of boost. I looked at the chart and it looks like the mile had a bout a 20-foot drop. For about the only time that day, I felt like I was in a zone and I turned a 6:53 mile. That's one second slower than a sub-3 pace.
So, I know I can turn my legs a little bit. I think I got a good speed workout in last Saturday in with the 15K and the 5K. I'm feeling stronger physically, like I can keep my effort for the duration of the race. I'll be well rested — I should be able to get eight hours of sleep Friday night and seven hours of sleep Saturday night. My flight is only an hour and I'm not switching time zones. I think the course is something I should be able to run well on. Oh, and I have a little bit of confidence for once.
I haven't decided on my goal pace yet, and I probably won't until about 1/2 mile in. But I'm planning on giving sub-3 a long look early on. I'll dial in to a 6:50 pace and see how it goes. If I can stay there, I'll give try stay between 6:45 and 6:50. Any faster and I'll blow up. Any slower and it'll just end up being another close call. I think it's at the outside edge of what I'm capable of. I'll be able to tell within a mile or two if it's impossible, and if so, I'll dial back and try to tick off miles consistently between 7:00 and 7:05. The weather forecast says high of 60, low of 44, so I expect it to be pretty ideal. There's a possibility of showers, but I'm not at all worried. Weather should be very good for running.
So stretch goal for this week is sub-3. B goal is sub-3:05. C goal is a 3:07:20, which would be my fastest time so far this year. I really feel that all things considered, I should be able to pull off that C goal. That's not a gimme — of my 39 marathons, only six have been that fast. But at this point, I expect at least that much out of myself.
If I was participating in the contest I mentioned at the top, I'd probably pledge $3.06. But that's just me. As I've learned 39 times, running 26.2 miles as hard as you can is not easy and there are no guarantees.
Post-Race Dinner
Souplantation! That's like Sweet Tomatoes depending on where you live. They have tomato soup and grilled cheese focaccia bread right now! And ice cream! I love these nearby races because I don't miss much time with the kids. We'll get to over-indulge together on Sunday and I can't wait. Ice cream for dessert, of course!
That's All For This Week
I think I've left you with enough to read. Please participate in the contest to guess my time! It's super easy and it gives me a big boost when I see your guesses come across ... thank you in advance! And have a great weekend!
Comments
Posted by Katie Abdolhosseini, 3.5.10, 8:09 a.m.
Just made my donation/time prediction! Love this! Don't think I don't have faith in you! Just wanna win :)
Posted by Katie Abdolhosseini, 3.5.10, 8:06 a.m.
From what I understand, Napa is kind-of hilly. But it is sooo beautiful I bet you won't even notice! The weather will be perfect Sunday - in fact, I am switching my long run for Sat to Sun (and because of my cold)! Have a safe trip!
Posted by Todd Zankich, 3.4.10, 8:17 p.m.
I'm betting you're getting lost on this one, because I don't think you have yet, so you're due any marathon now.
Posted by Melissa G, 3.4.10, 4:44 p.m.
You're right-- I think I definitely guessed too slow. This is going to be a great weekend for you. :)
Posted by Jamie Fellrath, 3.4.10, 9:54 a.m.
It would benefit Operation Jack and Train4Autism most, then, if we all thought you were REALLY SLOW. ;)
Posted by Jeff Cate, 3.4.10, 8:41 a.m.
I think you ought to hold yourself back at Napa and go for sub-3 at Catalina... :-)
Posted by Tiffany Felsenfeld, 3.4.10, 8:36 a.m.
You also forgot to mention that this month, Soup Plantation is offering chocolate peanut butter bars! Uh-oh, I forgot about those! Gonna have to get some extra miles in. :/
Posted by Chris Stores, 3.4.10, 8:31 a.m.
Hey, did you know that the RD for Napa Valley is also the editor of Marathon and Beyond? I just found that out last week.
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