What does it all mean? To me, it means you are in shape to shatter your PR. Have you done Yasso 800's before as a prediction method? I know for some people they are a bit optimistic. Even if they are though, you are still so far under 3:18. Nice job. Did you do this in place of one of the FIRST workouts or in addition?
Matt, I did the Yassos instead of the FIRST track workout that week. I'd never done Yassos before, so I thought it would be interesting to give them a shot, and figured they would also constitute solid VO2 max work. What was most encouraging to me was that I did them just 48 hours after my 20-miler (at 7:25/mile), so my legs weren't exactly fresh, yet I still managed to hit my goal of 3 minutes/800 or faster. The results give me more info to consider as I think about what kind of pace I want to try to run at Berlin. I'm thinking of going out at a comfortable 7:30 for four or five miles then easing down to 7:15 and seeing how long I can hold that. Be curious to hear what your pacing strategy will be as you gun for 3:10:59!
After sneaking just under 3:10 at Berlin in September 2009 I got it in my head that I might be able to run a sub-3 marathon. Or, more accurately, that I should try to. Haven't gotten there in three tries, but I'm drawing closer!
December 2009, Sacramento: 3:06:16
May 2010, Eugene: 3:05:07
July 2010, Sauvie Island: 3:04:05
Spiridon, by the way, is Spiridon Louis, who took the Gold at the first modern Olymipcs in 1896, finishing in 2:58:50. Now, some will point out that the Athens course was a couple of kilometers short of the 42.195 km (26 miles, 385 yards) distance that has come to define the marathon since the 1908 London Games. Johnny Hayes won that race in 2:55:18, so maybe I ought to be chasing Johnny. Except, 2:55? Ain't happening....
It means you're still getting faster! I know -- who knows, especially some guy sitting on his ass down in Berkeley. But that's the theory, right?
ReplyDeleteWhat does it all mean? To me, it means you are in shape to shatter your PR. Have you done Yasso 800's before as a prediction method? I know for some people they are a bit optimistic. Even if they are though, you are still so far under 3:18. Nice job. Did you do this in place of one of the FIRST workouts or in addition?
ReplyDeleteMatt, I did the Yassos instead of the FIRST track workout that week. I'd never done Yassos before, so I thought it would be interesting to give them a shot, and figured they would also constitute solid VO2 max work. What was most encouraging to me was that I did them just 48 hours after my 20-miler (at 7:25/mile), so my legs weren't exactly fresh, yet I still managed to hit my goal of 3 minutes/800 or faster. The results give me more info to consider as I think about what kind of pace I want to try to run at Berlin. I'm thinking of going out at a comfortable 7:30 for four or five miles then easing down to 7:15 and seeing how long I can hold that. Be curious to hear what your pacing strategy will be as you gun for 3:10:59!
ReplyDelete