All this week, I’ve been working to establish a new weekly routine for my blogs. Continuing along with Thursdays, I’ll be using this as my final posting of the week (aside from race reports) to talk about my upcoming race(s) and any surrounding events. This weekend it’s pretty simple — I get to stay at home, run the Pasadena Marathon and visit my grandparents. What more could I possibly ask for?
Operation Jack Race 10: Pasadena Marathon
I’m really looking forward to this weekend, because the logistics should be pretty easy. Pasadena is no more than an hour or so from my house, so I don’t have to pack a suitcase and I get to stay at home. On top of that, it’s looking like it will be the most low-key weekend I’ve had this year. It’ll be nice to exhale!
This is actually my third weekend staying at home, but it’s going to be the easiest, by far. The other two were filled with other obligations and time commitments and I ran myself into the ground before I even had a chance to truly run myself into the ground (in a marathon). This weekend, there’s not much planned before my race aside from going to Advanced Hyperbarics with Jack on Saturday morning, so I might actually be able to think about my race a little bit.
I took a quick look at the course profile and it doesn’t look too ridiculous aside from one decent climb. In a way, it reminds me of Carlsbad, which has one tough climb and rollers the rest of the way. I always feared Carlsbad, and Pasadena is something I’ve perceived to be difficult, but I just attacked Carlsbad and ran my fastest time of the year (so far). I’ll probably do the same thing with Pasadena on Sunday.
I feel like my fitness is improving, although I’m not 100 percent and I won’t be this entire year. But I’m not worried. I should be fairly well rested. I’m going in for a session in the hyperbaric chamber on Saturday. My diet has been fairly good this week. I’m feeling fairly fresh. And I only ran one marathon last weekend.
That “only one marathon” sounds kind of ridiculous, but I’m noticing that I’m a little less solid the weekend after a double. The weather has also been impacting me quite a bit. My four best runs have been in ideal running conditions. My four worst runs have been in poor weather. There was also Surf City, when I paced the 3:30 group. The weather was perfect that day and the run was very easy. Sunday should be in the 50s or low 60s during the race — good enough for a marathon in my book. Not perfect, but not bad.
So add it all up and I’m feeling pretty confident about this one. The mental aspect of a marathon is pretty big and I’ve made the mistake of heading into a marathon afraid.
I’m going to try a slightly different strategy, trying to keep my pace at 6:52 (3:00) as long as my heart rate doesn’t go above 174. I run a marathon between 170 and 172 and I feel like I blow up once I cross 177 or so. I’ve been feeling stronger lately, so I’m going to start pushing it again. And I guess one good thing about what I’m doing is that if I mess it all up, I can give it another crack next weekend.
If I had to put an over/under on this one, I’d go with about 3:08. I really think I have a good shot at going sub-3:10, which I really want to start doing on a weekly basis. But anything can happen during a marathon, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned through 37 of them, it’s that they’re ALWAYS difficult. So we’ll see!
Perfect Post-Race Meal
I’m having the perfect post-race meal on Sunday. Part of that is the company and part of it is actually the food.
If you’ve been following along, you know I beat my grandma in our 22nd-annual Super Bowl bet this year. So, she’s taking me, the wife and the kids out to Souplantation (in some parts of the country, they call it Sweet Tomatoes). They’re featuring sweet potatoes right now, which are not only one of my favorite things to eat, but they’re a great recovery food for me. And of course, they have ice cream there. Barring anything unforeseen, that will push my current streak up to 22 consecutive days with ice cream or frozen yogurt.
Beyond all that, though, it’s a treat to spend time with my grandparents. I absolutely adore them and with my schedule this year, it’s tough to find time to see them. So when I get the opportunity, I will, and I’ll have the opportunity on Sunday afternoon!
One side note: I earned a penguin stuffed animal at my first marathon of the year, the Texas Marathon in Kingwood, Texas, on January 1. They gave one to each finisher with the place we finished around the neck. My grandma LOVES penguins (you should see her house — penguins all over the place!) so I’m going to give it to her. I’ll post a picture in my blog on Monday.
Have A Great Weekend Everybody!
A weekend at home, a race I’m confident about and a visit with my grandparents … I think I’m going to have a great weekend. I hope yours goes well, too! Thanks for stopping by and supporting Operation Jack!
Marilyn Long says
Sam,
I loved the story about your phone call with Bea. I know that I will be hearing,in my head, WHAAAT? MILT, COME TO THE PHONE! when I get to be that age! As for the penguins, I have a gift for you Tiff and the kids if you’d be willing to share your home address at my AOL email. Your cousin, Marilyn