#36thMCM - My (our) strategy

So the weekend I've been anxiously awaiting is finally here! I can't wait to run this with Nate and I hope that all runners in this incredible event have a successful and healthy run! Remember - less than 0.2% of Americans have finished a marathon so just crossing the finish line is an accomplishment in and of itself. 

The reason I titled this as "my (our) strategy" is because between Nate and I, I'm the runner. He's doing this because he's an amazing man, he knows I love running, and about 3 years ago (pre-dating) we talked about running one together. So here we are. That said, he just aims to finish. He's in incredible shape and I'm sure I'm going to hold him back. But we're going to finish this together and I'm aiming for a finish time between 5 and 5:30 - which gives us a pace of 11:27-12:33. Easy, right? 

Normally I'd just go for a simple method my dad and I developed when I first started racing...first 1/3 of the race is to get comfortable (slightly slower than goal pace), second 1/3 is to pass one person at a time, final 1/3 is to hold pace and finish strong. However, the first 8 miles of this course are hills and that can mess with your head. Not to mention this is a MARATHON we're talking about. Sane people don't run 26.2 miles for fun...no wonder my parents think I'm a masochist (in the most loving way of course!). So we need a strategy. 

A friend (and fellow #36thMCM runner) was kind enough to share the link at the bottom of this page with me and the basic strategy they recommend is this:

• Miles 1-6.5 are meant to be 15 seconds slower per mile, adding 10 seconds if going up…taking 10 off if going down. (so for us, this will be about a 12 - 12:45 pace)
• Miles 6.5 to 21 are meant to be slightly faster by 5 seconds per mile, but still add 10 seconds per mile if going up, or take 10 seconds away if going down (if there’s a sick head or tailwind, treat it like a hill!) (for us this means 11:20 - 12:20) 
• Miles 21 to finish will have you on point to make your goal finishing time…you will need to really kick it in here and do your best to stick to your pace regardless of what’s hurting! (for us: FINISH!)

So we go this. To help keep me at it, I'm dedicating certain miles to people in my life who have been cheering me on and supporting me every step of the way. 

Mile 1: Corey Queen who ran his first marathon recently and reminded me what a runner's passion is all about.

Mile 2: My parents who have always supported me no matter how many bones I broke, muscles I pulled, or tendons I tore as I chased my goals.

Mile 3: My siblings because the 3 of us have put each other through enough trials but are always there to celebrate the victories!

Mile 4: My Turbo Sisters - the 4 of us are tighter than tight, thick as thieves and Lord knows we've had some battles together over the past year. Our prayers and love have conquered it all and I know today will be no exception.

Mile 5: The rest of my extended family - the 5 of us in my immediate family always need the love and support outside that small circle. I can't imagine my life without them!

Mile 6: Nate's family - his parents, brothers, niece, and brother's girlfriend will all be there for us during race weekend. Does it get much better?

Mile 7: My lucky number has to go to my "sister" Christen. She and I share the same masochist "I love it but I hate it" relationship with a lot of things and running was our first bonding moment. She can read my mind, heart, and spirit as if they're her own....maybe they are. We often joke that The Good Lord knew one body wouldn't be able to handle everything our personality would dole out so he gave us to bodies to live life. 

Mile 8: Can't have one without the other...the other third of the Christen / Gabriella / Michelle trio is...well yeah, Michelle. We were the 3 Musketeers in high school and I'm glad that despite the moves, terrible relationships, and trials, some things never change.

Mile 9: For the "Negative Nancy"s who never have the time, energy, money (aka will power, commitment, determination) to get up and get moving. I just conquered 8 miles of hills and there is NOTHING in my genetic background that makes me a natural born athlete. Get up and go do something. As long as you have excuses, no one can help you. 

Mile 10: For all my fellow Twitter folks with whom we've been chatting about this day since we were over 100 days out from the starting gun! We got this! #36thMCM

Mile 11: For all the Facebook friends I've met through the Marine Marathon page. I've loved hearing your stories and I know we can do this!! Oorah! 

Mile 12: For the man running by my side - Nate. On race day we'll be a mere week from the 12 month mark of our relationship. Our first date is one I'll never forget and I'm blessed to feel as giddy every day as I did that first day. 

Mile 13: Halfway through and this will be a great moment to remember the race...the Marine Corps Marathon...this mile is for all of the incredible men and women - and their families - who give up so much, who make so many sacrifices to give us our freedoms too many of us take for granted. 

Mile 14: For all of my friends who have supported me during this training...whether just by commenting on a post or sending me texts on days of tough runs. I couldn't do this without you!

Mile 15: For Misty (@mistyleigh32) and her commitment to the Epilepsy Therapy Project. I've met her through Twitter and am glad for our conversations and her dedication to something that affects me so personally. To learn more about Misty or contribute to Team Epilepsy Therapy Project, please visit https://bos.etapestry.com/fundraiser/EpilepsyTherapyProject/mcm/individual.do?participationRef=3917.0.27004947. (For those of you who don't know, I've had epilepsy since I was almost 8 so to see someone running to improve the treatment means so much to me and your support of her would mean the world to me personally.)

Mile 16: For my work friends who have inspired and encouraged me whether that meant asking how my workouts went or offering to order healthier lunch for meetings to help me stay on track. Thank you!! 

Mile 17: Jay - his favorite landmark will be nearby and he has been such an incredible friend and part of my support system over the past few years. 

Mile 18: For Matthew and Felicia Taub - they always have my back and I dearly hope they know I'll always have theirs! Since before we actually met, they have encouraged me beyond belief and since meeting them, they've been incredible about keeping tabs on the progress of my goals. They are one of the most beautiful couples I could have asked to have in my life!

Mile 19: For all previous Marine Marathon finishers. If they could get through mile 19, so can we!!! 

Mile 20: This is about where I'll hit my wall so this one goes out to all of the Marine wives and girlfriends. I read a blog recently that described us as extensions of our Marines and I'll need your help to channel Nate's strength right about now. In return for that help, this mile is for you! 

Mile 21: If I'm not through the wall yet at this point, I'll gain strength from remembering all Marines, past, present, and future, during this mile. They go through so much to protect us...certainly I can run a few more miles!

Mile 22: Mile 2-2 (tu-tu?) This one is for all of those helping put Kristy and I in tu-tus by donating to Addicted2aCure's efforts to raise money for Susan G. Komen and / or participating in our Ta-Ta Tuesdays! Thank you so much! (For more info, check out http://www.facebook.com/addicted2acure) 


Mile 23: For my mom's best friend and for a wonderful family friend of ours who both recently started their battles with breast cancer. They've been on my mind every run and I doubt today will be any different...mile 22 will especially be for them. 

Mile 24: For all of my running buddies, my high school cross country coach, and for the soccer coach who dismissed me for being a girl and drove me to become a runner - this one's for you. At this point, we have just over a 5K to go and crossing that first 5K finish line was 

Mile 25: For all of the thousands of runners who will have finished by the time we hit the 25 mile marker. Congrats on a great race! Walk it off!!

Mile 26.2: Time to get to the finish line...this one is for me. Yes - I'm being selfish but let's be honest. You can have the greatest support system in the world, the most incredible people in your life, and every tool you could ever dream of, but without personal decision and commitment, all of those things mean nothing. This is for my journey, my changes, my strength, my power...this one's for me. 


All else fails, I'll just remember our old cross country cheer....The faster we run, the faster we're done!

http://www.marathonnation.us/race-execution/the-ultimate-marine-corps-marathon-pacing-plan/

The few....the proud...the mentally insane.

Runners. Yeah. We're different.