Running with the King (of Rock & Roll)

Last week was a great week of running.  I ran a total of 83 miles, a new weekly high.  Also resumed speed training after a few weeks off following Rocket City.  In light of this, I expected my participation in the Mississippi Blues Marathon in Jackson to be tiring and uninspiring, when in fact the opposite was true. 

The race was held on the anniversary of Mississippi native Elvis Presley’s birthday, and the event had a distinct Elvis feel to it.  The race goody bag came equipped with Elvis sunglasses complete with sideburns, which was a hit with Luke (along with the harmonica).  Naturally, I taught him to say “Thank you, thank you very much” when wearing them.  On race morning I saw several people wearing full Elvis costumes and the speakers were playing the King’s music.  Unique, fun atmosphere.

My plan for the race was very simple:  take it slow and steady, fully stop occasionally at aid stations to stay hydrated, and do nothing to sacrifice my training for the upcoming 50 miler.  Given my general fatigue on Friday morning’s 9 mile run, I thought a 3:30 performance seemed about right.  At the start I stuck with the plan and took it nice and easy, keeping the pace just under 8:00 for the first 5 miles.  I chatted with a few other runners, including one who had run the 55 mile Comrades Marathon in South Africa just a few months ago.  At the 5 mile mark I upped the pace slightly and began clicking off the miles at a 7:30-7:45 pace, which I maintained for most of the rest of the race.

I came through the half marathon mark in 1:41:22 and felt really good.  Before the race I feared that my competitive spirit might cause me to push a bit and endanger my training, but this never occurred.   I kept chatting with other runners, enjoying the course, and in two cases paced and blocked wind for other runners seeking a PR.  Continued feeling good with two miles to go, so I decided to step on the gas a bit and see what happened.  My legs responded well, and I completed the last two miles in 6:47 and 6:44, and completed the race in 3:20:06.  I covered the second half in 1:38:44, which produced my first ever negative split.  Overall, I was very pleased with the race and weekend in Mississippi (Thanks Grandmother and Granddad!), having the discipline to stay at an even pace, and the ability to turn it up a notch at the end.  Running easy and in control also has me even more excited for the 50 miler in March.  My body seems to respond better to more miles at a slower pace than fewer miles at a harder pace.  I guess that will be really tested in March.  The last road marathon I enjoyed this much was San Francisco a year and a half ago, which was also the last marathon that I did not have a specific time goal.  Coincidence? 

Weekly Mileage

Monday – 15

Tuesday – 7

Wednesday – 10 (4 x mile repeats)

Thursday – 6

Friday – 9

Saturday – 27 (MS Blues)

Sunday – 9

Total - 83

Verse: "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever." -1 Timothy 6:12-16