Three weeks to go

 So... in three week's time I'll have run the Brighton marathon. It's been a date a long way in the future for so long but suddenly it seems very close.

Yesterday I did my final "long slow run" in Greenwich - 20 miles. It was really hard, much harder than two weeks previously when I did 19. I think perhaps I was a little dehydrated as I wasn't running any faster than when I did 19 but during the last 5 miles or so my heart rate really climbed and I think I'd have been struggling to complete another 10km.

The temperature was certainly warmer this weekend, so it was a good lesson to learn in advance of the big day and I'll need to remember to stop for water more often during the race.

With three weeks to go it's about time to set some targets for the race. In order, they are:

1. Get to the start line, fit to run !
2. Enjoy the experience !
3. Cross the finish line on foot - before the 6 hour sweeper truck picks me up !
4. Run the whole course (with the exception of stopping briefly a water station or two)

5. Beat the average American male marathon runner (according to Wikipedia in 2005 the average American man completed the marathon in 4 hours 32)

6. Run at an average pace of 10 minutes per mile (4 hours 22 minutes)

7. Beat 4 hours 15 minutes.

8. Beat 4 hours 9 minutes (= 9.5 minutes per mile)

Clearly I would love to beat 4 hours but I think averaging 9 minute miles is overly ambitious for my first marathon and given my level of fitness and training.

My total for March now stands at 97.43 miles and for the year, 304.86 miles.

This week the "taper" begins and while I still aim to run 4 times per week, the distances will gradually decrease up to race day.