My Marathon Plan... Such As It Is!

"We are different in essence from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon."~Emil Zatopek

So, here's what I'm thinking is going to be my "plan" as I begin the final preparations for Sunday's Buffalo Marathon. As previously posted (like a ba-jillion times!), I am going to be employing a run-walk-run approach to the entire affair, similar to that I used in running the ultra-run last October. Remember, the dream is to finish in three hours and thirty minutes. Twenty-six point two miles in three hours and thirty means plays out to about an 8:00 minute mile pace total including any walk breaks, of which I will be taking minimally five one minute ones. According to the event's official website, "Water and Gatorade will be available every two miles, starting at the 3 mile marker."

Given that info, here is how it will go down:

1) Run the first six-to-seven miles straight through without a walk.

2) at mile seven (the third aide station), walk for 60 seconds and then run for two miles (roughly 16 minutes--hopefully!).

3) for each two mile (or, once again, sixteen minutes) increment leading up to the twenty-first mile, I will walk for 60 seconds. This means a break to hydrate and "eat" (if necessary) at miles nine, eleven, thirteen, fifteen, seventeen, nineteen and twenty-one. There also remains the real possibility that I will eliminate at least one (or maybe two) of these planned "walk breaks," depending on how well I am (or am not) feeling.

4) I will then wrap-up by hoofing the last 5.2 miles non-stop, carefully monitoring my pace and if necessary, kicking it the last half.

Just like my beloved Detroit Tigers championship chances did just before the star of the MLB season, this looks great on paper... but, fortunately, this I have a little bit more control of. The challenge will remain adhering to it and avoiding the HUGE urge to succumb to adrenaline (and the mid-marathon euphoria) and go too fast, too soon!

Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!