Of Mice and Marathons

Germantown Ave to Forbidden Dr up Valley Green - 13 miles, averaged 7:14. Did some strides.

Kept the run pretty steady at 6:50-7:10 once I got to Forbidden Drive and for the first 8 miles or so before doing strides. The idea was to stay sharp without doing a workout and to put a nice layer of anti-freeze on my lungs because it should be cold next weekend and I haven't had a ton of colder weather running this fall. Should be plenty of chilly air this week to help continue to adapt.

College Hill Loop (short version) - 6.25 miles, averaged 7:47

6 miles, averaged 7:24. Did a few strides. Feeling good.

Flourtown Tempo Loop - 9 miles, averaged 6:55

Dress Rehersal 3 mile tempo in 18:39 (6:05, 6:17, 6:17). Felt okay for this point in a taper.

Went with the no look method on the first one. I knew I was too fast based on effort but I couldn't bear the thought of looking at the split and seeing a 6:30 and have the effort on the edge of AT (stupid). I do that every time even though I knew exactly what pace it would be. Stupid me. Reeled it back in and monitored the next two miles and those felt slow. I imagine starting at 6:25-6:30 will feel really comfortable.

Goal is to have 6:15-6:23 as my cruising speed once I get beyond mile 10-12 or so. I've decided to wear my Garmin in the marathon rather than my Timex so I can keep an eye on things, and hopefully get in a group so I don't have to keep too close an eye on it.

Short an easy the next three days with some strides sprinkled in.

5 miles, averaged 7:33

Wyndmoor - 4 miles, averaged 7:24. Did some strides. Feeling good.

I'd like to copy this guy on Sunday, but we shall see.

4 miles, averaged 8:11. Did some brief pickups around goal pace to a bit faster.

Feeling the best I ever have before a marathon. Not stale, feeling fresh, which doesn't mean much other than I go into the race with a better positive attitude than I usually do and hope for the best.

Went to the expo and got my bib. #504. I also found a lucky penny before catching the train. I started finding lucky pennies the day before key races Philly RnR 2013. I'm not superstitious, but it gives me something to do.