Every time I have gone through the marathon process, I feel like I have learned a little bit. Hopefully all those little things will eventually add up to one large improvement. I have never had Ryan Hall type success and been able to knock it out of the park my first time in the batters box. I have had to grind and fight over years to chip away at this grueling event we call the marathon. Now that its only 4 weeks away, I feel better than I ever had going into the 26 mile foot race.
The New Haven Road Race was this past weekend and my fifth appearance at the wonderful event. This year I felt very little pressure and wanted to use it as a dress rehearsal for Chicago. I wanted to feel loose and relaxed and let the miles just click away as effortless as possible. This game plan is exactly what unfolded and I never felt as relaxed in a race of that distance. At 11 miles I made a dash to try to win the race but maybe moved a bit too early and overextended myself making a tactical error with Sean Quigley never losing too much contact and countering the move 1200 meters later and driving for home. Overall, I hate losing races but New Haven felt so relaxed running the equivalent of 62 and change for the half marathon. I believe this a good sign for 10-10-10. Im very happy for Mr. Sean Quigley winning his first National Title. He is all class all the time and its always a pleasure sharing the roads with him. It was also a big day for Kimbia athletics. New Haven has become a regular stop on the racing schedule as I find it next to impossible to say "I'm not coming" to John Tolbert (elite athlete coordinator). John is a fellow Pittsburgher and all around hard hat wearing, lunch pal carrying, blue collar type of guy. He shares my same feelings and emotions for the Pittsburgh Steelers who kick off the season tomorrow against the Atlanta Falcons.
Tomorrow marks the most difficult workout in the Chicago Marathon build up. Fasil, Nick, and I will pound the roads of lake mary at dawn for an 18 mi tempo run followed by a second run in the evening. Most likely, I will get in roughly 30 miles tomorrow 4 weeks pre marathon.
The New Haven Road Race was this past weekend and my fifth appearance at the wonderful event. This year I felt very little pressure and wanted to use it as a dress rehearsal for Chicago. I wanted to feel loose and relaxed and let the miles just click away as effortless as possible. This game plan is exactly what unfolded and I never felt as relaxed in a race of that distance. At 11 miles I made a dash to try to win the race but maybe moved a bit too early and overextended myself making a tactical error with Sean Quigley never losing too much contact and countering the move 1200 meters later and driving for home. Overall, I hate losing races but New Haven felt so relaxed running the equivalent of 62 and change for the half marathon. I believe this a good sign for 10-10-10. Im very happy for Mr. Sean Quigley winning his first National Title. He is all class all the time and its always a pleasure sharing the roads with him. It was also a big day for Kimbia athletics. New Haven has become a regular stop on the racing schedule as I find it next to impossible to say "I'm not coming" to John Tolbert (elite athlete coordinator). John is a fellow Pittsburgher and all around hard hat wearing, lunch pal carrying, blue collar type of guy. He shares my same feelings and emotions for the Pittsburgh Steelers who kick off the season tomorrow against the Atlanta Falcons.
Tomorrow marks the most difficult workout in the Chicago Marathon build up. Fasil, Nick, and I will pound the roads of lake mary at dawn for an 18 mi tempo run followed by a second run in the evening. Most likely, I will get in roughly 30 miles tomorrow 4 weeks pre marathon.
Wow James! That's great!!
I would just like to let you know I love you. You have inspired me to try my hardest at running ever since you spoke to me and a bunch of other high school runners at Eastern States XC camp this august. I'm so happy I found your site! Your blogs are so fasinateing! It's really cool to read what your workouts are like! There soo different compaired to mine!