Day 23: Race Eve

From Me and the Road

Date: 1/23/09

Consecutive Days Run: 23

Runner: Brandon Wood

Shoes: Sir Isaac Guidance Trainers

Location: New York, NY

Type of Run: Easy

Time of Day: 6:17 PM EST

Distance Run: 3.40 miles

Time Run: 00:26:44

Average Pace: 7:52 per mile

Weather Conditions: Cold-ish (37 degrees Fahrenheit), clear

Disposition: Good

Link to Run Detail: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/23050803

About the Run: Tomorrow morning is the Manhattan Half-Marathon as part of the New York Road Runners half-Marathon series. My goal time is 1:35:00. This would be a PR by 9 full minutes. I am being paced by the one and only Laminator and could not ask for someone better to get me there.

As I write this, it is 11:21 PM EST and I should be in bed, and will be as soon as I finish posting. As always though, nerves are having their say in my head. I’m not really nervous in a negative way, but more in a very anticipatory way. I cannot wait to get out there and push myself! This race will mark only the second race where I actually have a goal time, the first being the Philadelphia Marathon (where I missed my time). The race is taking place in Central Park and is two (2) counter clockwise loops of the park. This is an extremely technical course with plenty of hills as I mentioned in my post yesterday, and not exactly the best place to be going for a PR, but I believe I can do it! I’m going to stop talking about this now, because it’s getting to me a bit…

Today’s assigned run was: Do some short 20-30 second pick-up during this easy run. Cool down, and get off your feet for the rest of the day. I headed out feeling good at my usual comfortable pace, making a point of keeping my head out of my run. On my way back there is a hill which is similar, if not a bit steeper than Cat Hill in Central Park (albeit a bit shorter). I took the opportunity to take the split on my way up, being sure to keep a consistent EFFORT rather than a consistent speed, which is what Lam and I are aiming for tomorrow. Mission accomplished.

Race details to come!