Thursday, October 16, 2008

Final thoughts before PEI

The fall flowers continue to bloom but the days are getting shorter and colder. Only a very few short days to go now and the latest forecast calls for a very nice weekend with lots of sun but low temperatures with no wind mentioned.

Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud. Low plus 2C(36F). High 8C(46F).

Looks near perfect to me, so no excuses on the weather front. This week has been very easy as far as running goes but my work has jumped in quickly to take up any slack and so there has been little time to stew about not running. Today for example I was up at 630 to go out on the boat all day and by the time we got home tonite there was little chance that a 5mile recovery run was going to get done (or even needed for that matter). Rest and couch potatoe duties come first this late in the season.

But I have been doing a little running around...

Sunday - 13 miles (8:10 avg) with 8 mile progression to finish with 2xMP

Monday - rest

Tues - 5 miles easy (7:57) late in day after work and fencing to keep out the 'thieving deer'

Weds - 8 miles (7:51 avg) with 3xMP although only 2 were called for in the plan. Felt good and just kept rolling for one more (sorry, couldn't help myself)

Thurs - unscheduled day off but why not?

Friday - plan for an easy 5 with strides 'my' the golf course

Sat - plan is to drive to the Island for the marathon with the 3 Blind Moose and my poor wife

Sunday - plan is to ease into the 1st 6 miles as a progession run, run the next 6-7 under control despite the low hills that take you to the 1/2 way. The next 7-8 are on the rails to trails and I hope to be just holding back the effort and enjoying these nice middle miles as long as possible. The final 5 miles are a brute with the pavement and hills and will require courage and strength to hold pace. The final last mile is flat with a slight downhill and will be rewarding if I have anything left to finish strong. I'm really glad that I ran the course in July in 2 parts (part1 and part2) because it can be seen in my minds eye (plus geotagged route) and will help me know where I'm at and what is to come.

Goals? Hmm, 1st and foremost is to enjoy the weekend and the running with friends. As far as time goals, I already have my BQ for next year and this might just be a small improvement to give me a slightly better number and move up from maybe the 8th to the 7th corral. My latest 1/2 predicts something around a 3:25 but I think that maybe a 3:20 might be in the cards and is what I'm pacing myself for. Who knows? The training has been OK, though slack on the longer 20+ mile runs and we'll just have to give 'er and see what happens.

Wish me and my buddies luck and have a great weekend!

14 comments:

Jamie Anderson said...

Best of luck Mike! You'll do great, as will the other blind moose I'm sure. Have fun and look forward to the report!

Michael said...

Jamie said it well, "best of luck Mike". I know you've had your ups and downs through the summer but you've put in a lot of hard work and effort. Given you've already qualified have some fun and go for 3h20... I'm sure it'll be good for a tale. Good luck!

Dubs said...

Good luck & do great!!!! I'll be cheering for you!!!

Quinto Sol said...

Good luck!

A. Power said...

Good luck in PEI Dad!

Thomas said...

Good Luck! Don't worry about the 20 milers. You have enough of them under your belt from earlier builds.

bricey said...

best of luck in PEI - looking forward to the race report!!

Ewen said...

Wishing you and your mates the best of luck Mike!

I smiled at the C temps having priority :) Looks a tad cool to me - gloves weather. I prefer 8 to 12C for marathons.

I hope you can snag the sub-3:20 - looks a tough back end to the course. I hope there are some flowers out, or something else to keep your poor wife amused ;)

Garry said...

Good luck Mike! I'm sure you will do well.

DawnB said...

Mike good luck and have a great race!!

Unknown said...

Good luck, Mike!

Michael said...

Looks like you had a fantastic race, well done! Just shy of your 3h20... can't wait to hear about it. Congratulations!

Steph said...

Cold day for a run, but great job Dad!!

Thomas said...

I can see you did a good bit better than predicted. Great race, Mike, congratulations!