HOUSTON HALF MARATHON

I thought I would share some of my mental prep for Houston (1/17). Houston is a B race for me but I will do my best. I have been visualizing positive outcomes for a couple of weeks.

I start with an affirmation, a positive first person statement about who I want to be, not necessarily who I am. I have been using this over and over during training and it will be in my mind during the race to strengthen me.

I AM PAIN MAKER (vs a pain taker)!

It is currently conjuring up the picture of the warrior Jake Scully in Avatar. I used it alot this afternoon during a two training run......best 13.1 miles in 155 minutes. Laugh??? This stuff works.

I have scouted the course as my daughter has done it before and it is pancake flat. We have 7AM start.

The next thing to construct is the race plan which I based on BREAKTHRU RUNS leading up to the race:

Eat a good breakfast of oatmeal and fruit at about 4:30AM

make the long drive to downtown.

Arrive at race at 6AM and consume PBJ.

I will push up 9-10 from the front as I see my competition did this last year(gun vs chip).

First 5 miles - HR pace at 145 - between Z2 and Z3(aerobic and tempo).

Second 5 miles - HR pace 150-155 - solid Z3(tempo).

Last 3.1 miles - HR pace 160 - 160+ - LT (redline).

GOAL TIME: 142:00

Placement goal: Top 5 in AG (Reviewed times from last 2 years - estimated 130 runners in AG)

Supporting goal: Run the last 3 miles 10 sec/mile faster than first 3 miles.

In the first mile a lot of really unfit looking people will be passing me!!! Go slow, RM!

I AM A PAIN MAKER.

OORAH!

I'll let you know how it works out!

RM