After Saturday’s crappy showing at the WHYY 12K, I slightly reevaluated my plan of attack for the Philly Half Marathon on Sunday. Many of you said to not give up on my goals and I’m not…I’m just rethinking my approach and being a tad more realistic. Before I get into that though, here are the official results from the 12K:
59:31 (7:59 avg pace)
overall – 73/331
gender – 24/178
division – 9/62
Not too shabby for a crappy race! Painful, hating life race photos to come!
OK, my plan of attack…
THIS WEEK: easy runs! Speed work will not help at this point so I’m just resting my legs, especially after the 12K. I plan to take 2 complete rest days on Friday and Saturday. I’ve done this in the past for a HM and call it my “mini taper”. It has worked well.
RACE DAY:
1. Do not give up! I will NOT be checking out like I did during the 12K. The Philly HM is my favorite half; I think it’s way better than the Philly RnR Half. The crowd participation is insane for the HM (sorry marathoners, Manayunk is super fun but the run out to Manayunk and back from Manayunk is pretty lonely).
2. I would be happy with a 1:44:xx finish. As long as it’s sub-1:45. Nice, even 8:00 min/miles would get me a 1:45. I’m going to maintain 8:00 pace and hopefully towards the end drop a bit to get that sub-1:45.
3. I’ll probably wear a pace band. I’ve never wore one for a HM but feel it may be necessary for Sunday.
4. Expect it to hurt but enjoy yourself. Remember, I do this for fun 🙂
There are so many bloggers running Philly this weekend, I would love to meet some of you in-person! Anyone up for a mini meet-up pre-race? The race starts at 7am (ouch) but maybe meet at 6:30? Or Saturday? Let me know. Other meet-up ideas are welcome!
Sounds like SO MUCH fun. It’s good to check yourself like this and realize it will hurt but the hurt is worth it for the emotional and mental high you get when you reach your goal.
Okay. I am totally looking for a fall 2012 marathon to run post-baby!! It’ll give me something to look forward to and to motivate me after giving birth!! Any recommendations for fall marathons on the East coast??
YAY! Where do I begin??? 🙂
I would highly recommend Steamtown. It’s in mid-Oct in Scranton, PA so the weather is perfect and the course is beautiful. The course is downhill for the first 8 miles, flat for the middle miles, and then there are a few hills at the end. As long as you do lots of downhill running to prep your quads, it’s a fun, fast race.
Philly is good too. The bonus with Philly is that it’s later in the year so you can get a few more weeks of training.
I love Marine Corps too but the last time I ran it was 2007 and, apparently, it has nearly doubled in size. I think the crowds have taken a lot away from the race.
I ran the Lehigh Valley Marathon (my BQ!) and that’s a good course. Only drawback is the date – early September. I lucked out and got a cool day but I heard in the past it has been humid. Very small race with little spectators.
Check out marathonguide.com. I love this site for marathon reviews.
I’m pretty jealous that you guys will all be laughing and having the time of your lives meeting up at the half while I am running in the woods by myself for 12 hours. Lame. Haha, I love the reminder that we do this for fun…why, again?
Good luck!
Kind of jealous of all you guys running this weekend! I think your plan is great and definitely attainable. Making it a priority to not check out mentally will help immensely, I think! You’ve put the disappointing race behind you (although, it’s certainly not too shabby!) and you’re movin’ on. You’ll do great! I kind of want to see the race photos… 🙂
Me too! I keep stalking the website waiting for photos to be posted. I’m sure they’ll be oh so flattering!
I’m with Alyssa, I’m jealous of everyone running Philly. Although I do know a dude who is running 50 miles on Saturday and then doing the Philly marathon on Sunday. Yeah, I know crazy people
What?! That is insane!
I wish I could join you for a few miles…maybe jump in at mile 40???
I can try really hard to find you at 6:30 Sunday morning! Getting there any earlier will be tough since I will be driving in from NJ. I would say Saturday – but I’m planning on going to the expo Friday after work. I’m sure it will be chaos at the end (plus I’ll be finishing 20ish minutes after you + a couple corrals later?) I’m in the purple corral. Glad to hear you think this one is better than RnR!! And that I’m not missing out on too much fun by doing the half instead of the full.
I’m planning on going to the expo on Friday night too — avoid the mad rush on Saturday. Maybe I’ll see you there?
I was thinking of meeting at the Rocky statue pre-race so if you happen to get there early, swing on by!
Kristy, I’m so sorry to hear about your 12k race not going as you had hoped (I’m catching up on my blog reading!). I have checked out before in a race (particularly in my half marathon last February) and I think it’s totally normal to have races like that, sometimes you’re just not into it! I think your goals for the HM sound good – and btw I love using a pace band for a half. It really keeps me on track, just like with the marathon. Wish I were around to meet up with you guys! Have a great mini-taper and a wonderful race. I know you’ll hit your goal, especially after the 12k and with all that post-marathon strength still in your legs 🙂
It sounds like you have a great plan of attack! i am totally cheering for you. i keep hearing so much about this race…wish i could be there to run it and meet up with you!!!
I know it’s easy to start doubting race goals (umm, that’s been me for the last week), but I think a sub-1:45 half is totally do-able for you. Actually, I secretly (or not so secretly) think you could run even faster!
I ran a really sucky 20k over Labor Day weekend and it freaked me out, but then I PR’d 2 weeks later at RnR Philly, so don’t let that 12k bum you out too much. I am so excited to meet some other blogger this weekend! I’m going to send you an email about it 🙂
Yay – definitely let me know!
I’m game to meet up!! If not Saturday, then definitely in the morning before the race. I’m not sure what my plan is yet for expo, etc on Saturday. I’ll be in touch though 🙂
Perfect! It’ll be nice to see you again!
I wouldn’t be too worried. You have been running well except for the race last weekend. You shouldn’t have any trouble. Honestly. I am a bit more worried about myself! I’d be happy with about what you are going for…but I don’t even know…sigh. Between recovering from Steamtown, being sick, my IT band, i have not run much this past month. I don’t know if I am being mental or if realistic when I think I can’t do things…but enough whining about me :p
I am not sure about meeting up before the race..too Stressful! What about Saturday (expo, dinner?) or after the race??
I guess Saturday would be better. I know a few other bloggers that would like to meet as well. I’m heading to the expo on Friday night to avoid the rush! I’ll be in touch!
Before MCM, I had a horrible half. Then MCM was amazing. Listen to your legs on race day, they will tell you what to do!
I mean, sub-8 min pace isn’t shabby in my world! I think you’ll do great, especially since you’re committed to not checking out. And, you PR’ed a week after the marathon, right?! Not too shabby again. In fact, really incredible! Good luck!
Yay! Best of luck this weekend – sounds like a great strategy. I’ll be wearing a pace-band too (first time) so we’ll see – any recommendations on where to make one?
I’m excited. Good luck!!
Hi Kate! If you go to marathonguide.com, you can get one there. I generally cut it really small and tape it to the side of my bib (upside down so you can see it easily when running). Good luck to you too!!!