ESB

I finally registered for the Sugarloaf Marathon on May 19th.  My original plan was to run in the Cox Providence Marathon a week earlier, but was talked out of it by a couple friends and several online reviews. Sugarloaf gives me an extra week which is much needed since I started my training program a little late.

The course has quite a negative elevation profile, which would seem to lead to faster finishing times.  But only 15 runners broke 3:05 last year.  Going out too fast and not training for downhills can be brutal on your quads. I've read several warnings to save your legs and hold back until at least the last 10k.  Easier said than done when the adrenaline is flowing at the starting line!

Time to add some downhills to my training.

I ran my first 20 miler yesterday and actually felt pretty good!  I made sure to start off slow after hitting the wall at mile 17 last weekend.  Also, to not get too pumped up early on, I went without music or pace updates until mile 10.  Rage Against the Machine is inspiring music for a 5k, but I needed a more zen approach for the 2.5 hours I was about to run.

I chose the Charles River trail which is almost exactly 20 miles from my door and back if you take it out west to Watertown and back around to the Museum of Science.

I finished in 2 hrs 33 mins for a 7:40 pace.  My training program set a goal of 7:48, so I was pumped to beat it after skipping the program's first 20 mile run.  I chose to ease into the higher mileage since my program assumes you have run marathons before.  I also hit my own personal goal of negative splits with a 7:42 1st half pace and a 7:38 2nd half pace.

Next weekend has me doing a 13-mile run which I feel like I can sprint after this workout!