Running Over Bridges

One year ago this Sunday, I crossed the Monongahela River on mile 11 of my first half marathon. As I looked over to the other side of the Birmingham Bridge, I saw the other portion of the field-- the marathoners. Who were only half-way done. There was only word on my mind at that moment: "never". And yet, five months later, I won free marathon registration ($90 value!) at the Great Race 10K expo. From then on, the only phrase on my mind was "why not"? 

So, I did. Or, more accurately: I will. This Sunday (Cinco de Mayo), downtown Pittsburgh, 7am. I felt like for my first ever marathon, actually training during the Spring would be a great idea if I want to be confident in finishing. Back in December, I sat down with a Hal Higdon Novice 2 program and molded it a bit for my schedule. Came up with this training plan, which is the blue line below. The red line represents the actual training I did. All in miles:

TOO MUCH VARIANCE!

But, the gaps! I can explain. That end of February drop is for midterms. Early March is represents spring break, which included two days of snowboarding in Vermont. But, what it mostly comes down to is only running 3x/week far more often than 4x/week. I may not have the mileage base that I'd like, but I get some of that back from the 5v5 & 7v7 indoor soccer seasons. Those two late peaks in red are from the two very longest runs I did: an Easter Sunday 19 miler, and then a mid-finals 21 miler. (Both links go to Strava, an app I've been using to track all my runs since last year's Anchor House Ride.)

I am not in this photo.
Or am I?

Since I ran the '12 Pittsburgh Half in 1:44:19 (7:57/mile pace), the guy at the Expo and I figured 9 minute miles would be a reasonable pace for a marathon. I seeded myself at 4 hours flat (9:09/mile). Really just want to make sure I beat this guy. The other thing is, if you look at my pacing on those two long runs, they're actually both averages of mid/low 8 minute miles. I'm not very good at pacing, and don't want to run myself into the ground too early.. so I'm going to try my best to run like I'm hungover until at least the Birmingham Bridge.

If you're gonna be in Pittsburgh, come to the course and give me a high five. Here's the elevation map, too, which looks a lot more intimidating at mile 11 (into Oakland from the Birmingham Bridge) than it really is. I'll probably be going thru Oakland around 8:30/9:00am, and then Shadyside not long after that. I'll be the guy in a Hoagie Haven shirt.

A cool thing: if you want up-to-date splits of some of my times (Start, 10K, 13.1M, 20K, Finish), you can sign up here to get text alerts. All you need is my bib number (I think), which I can give you once I know it after the Expo on Friday evening. So, just ask. I'll also tweet out my Strava performance of the Marathon once I finish up, assuming my phone's battery doesn't die, or give out from moisture accumulation!