March 2012

[marathondan]

Week 13 of 18

Ah, the sweet spot. With nothing more than good intentions and plenty of practice, it all comes together and you hit the shot just right. Last night's 19 miler was such a run. I've had two outstanding training runs this campaign (which is probably the best I can hope for) - the first was related here, this was the second.

Some credit probably goes to the brand new shoes. I think I have to admit that I'm a 100%, heel-striking, cushioned-sole junkie. Whenever my form began to slip, I straightened up, head back, and flicked my foot out in front of me, my straight leg rolling past underneath - and it felt good. Time to fall back on what I know, I think.

I really felt super-comfortable all the way through. The nutrition strategy of one jelly baby per mile seemed to keep my carbs in check. I had the foresight to leave ski gloves outside the front door, so I was able to upgrade to those and don a hat for the last lap, as the temperature fell.

There was loads left in the tank with a couple of miles to go, and I was able to up the pace, putting in an 8:27 final mile. In a training campaign of stodgy offroad slogs and worries about ankle frailty, this was the first time I've really felt the marathon buzz. At 4:08 marathon pace, I'm still a long way off my target speed, but I have to trust the race day pixies to carry me through.

And my finish time? 3:00:02. Those two seconds don't matter a jot.

It's all going to go wrong now, isn't it?