I have been training for this race for months. After I completed the Shamrock marathon in March, I started targeting the Chase Corporate Challenge. My goal has been to be one of the four fastest men from my company. Last year, the four fastest men ran 20:03, 23:30, 25:10, and 25:19. I have those times memorized now. I have run the distance on a treadmill in 24:24 (about 7:00 pace). I have run as fasr as 5 miles at 7:00 pace, though it was before Shamrock. I have run 5k (3.1 miles) at 6:45 pace (also on the treadmill). But I haven’t run this far, this fast outside. One positive is that I tend to run faster outside. Last year I ran the first 2 mile leg of the Black Diamond Duathlon at 7:04 pace and that was cross country running.
My plan for this evening is to try to run at 7:00 pace for the first couple miles and maybe pick up the pace. If I feel good (a relative term) early on, I may even pick up the pace. I just need to keep going for about 24 minutes. No walk breaks. I might be able to grab some water along the way.
My company offered us tech shirts if we chipped in part of the cost ($7). I paid my $7 and got a cool Brooks tech shirt. It’s red and the graphics are good. I buzz cut my hair last night. I will wear my white Under Armour mesh hat. Not sure about sun glasses yet. I may skip them. I am planning on wear my Garmin 305 for pacing and my iPod shuffle for distraction. I want my tunes!!!!
There are 11,000 people signed up and I am planning on lining up near the very front. Maybe 10 people deep from the front this year.
I just hope I can hold the pace! There is a hill toward the beginning. Ack! I am frigging nervous about the race. I just want to get it over with!
I am planning on drinking a non-diet Pepsi before the race for some extra last minute sugar and caffeine.
Did I mention I am nervous?

Posted by Rob in Whatever on May 29th, 2008 |