Rotterdam Marathon - 2:35:46

Ran 2:35:46 (clock time: 2:35:58) for 73rd place overall. Race report to follow soon.

Race tomorrow

I feel that I've prepared myself very well for tomorrow's Rotterdam Marathon.  Now it's just a matter of execution and running a smart race.  The temperature looks to be good, chilly in the low 40's and sunny. However, I'm a bit concerned of the winds, forecasted to be around 12-14mph.  I know I should stop worrying about it because there's nothing anyone could do about it. The fact is runners train very hard and sacrifice a lot for one big race, but then they encounter things they have no control of.  I guess that's just reality and life. :-)  For now, I'm hoping there'll be a decent group running my pace so we can work together and draft off each other.

What's my goal?.....to run fast, smart and under my PR.....and have fun of course! Wish me luck!

Here's this week's training, or shall I say tapering, leading up to Rotterdam.

5-11 Apr

Mon: 8.3M easy w/ 5 strides
Tue: 10M including 5 x 2K (7:09, 7:09, 7:06, 7:08)
Wed: 6M easy w/ 4 strides
Thu: 4M easy w/ 4 strides
Fri: 2.5M easy
Sat: 3.5M easy w/ 4 strides

Weekly Total (pre-race): 34 miles

22 Mar - 4 Apr; One Week till Rotterdam

Just one week remains till I toe the line at the Rotterdam Marathon. I feel well-prepared and confident that I put in the mileage and hard training.  My legs are already beginning to feel light from the decrease in overall weekly mileage the past week. 

22 - 28 Mar

Mon: AM - 6M easy; PM - 6M easy
Tues: 11M including 10K tempo run in 35:15 (3:32/km, 5:40 pace)
Wed: AM - 6M easy; PM - 6M easy
Thur: 10M easy with 6 x strides
Fri: 12M including 3 x 2K (6:40, 6:42, 6:53) + 2 x 1K (3:14, 3:11); felt tired
Sat:  9M easy
Sun: 20M with 10K at MP; had planned to run the last 8 miles at MP, but too windy (~25mph)

Weekly Total: 86 miles

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29 Mar - 4 Apr

Mon: 7M easy
Tues: 10M including 5 x 1200 (3:57, 3:54, 3:56, 3:53, & 3:54)
Wed: 12M easy
Thur: 8M easy
Fri: 13M including 2 x 4M at MP; 1st: 23:12 (3:38/km, 5:50 pace), 2nd: 22:58 (3:35/km, 5:46 pace)
Sat: 6.5M easy
Sun: 13.5 with last 3.5 miles moderate

Weekly Total: 70 miles