Monday Musing

: Rob de Castella:"The marathon's about being in contention over the last 10K. That's when it's about what you have in your core. You have run all the strength, all the superficial fitness out of yourself, and it really comes down to what's left inside you. To be able to draw deep and pull something out of yourself is one of the most tremendous things about the marathon."
  So here I am....in my 26th week of training. 15 pounds lighter. A training schedule of mostly treadmill runs (achilles issues). Two races during the program with the HM being a great confidence booster. 5 marathons already run in lifetime with the first still being my PR-4:05 thirty something....
   I look at my previous races and learn valuable lessons. One is you just never know how you will feel that day. Another is the weather is in charge! I have made it to the start line! I have run some great training runs. I have added new stuff to the program. I believe I can achieve my goal.
  I have been dissappointed several times....Grandmas being the biggest in '05. I have been disappointed in life, too. Yet I keep believing. I guess that's all I have anymore. So I have decided that I will not allow myself to waste all the training and effort I have logged in order to achieve my goal. I will begin to convince myself I am able to do this....I have established three goals: Ultimate a 3:53-Challenging a 3:56-acceptable a 3:59. I have learned how important it is to not lose or try to gain time in the beginning of the race so my plan is to run the first two miles at around 9:10's. Then I will accelerate  and hold onto 8:54's as long as I can.
  I have a hydration and fueling plan similar to my last marathon that worked pretty well. I don't expect a lot of fanfare....probably will make Sandy stay home, she doesn't need to waste her day on me, yet I am serious about leaving it all on the course....can this old man who's always been a front of the mid packer break 4 hours in the marathon? The test will be after 20 miles.....peace!