Today is m-day – 1. Physical prep for the Paris marathon is complete. For the most part the 20 weekly distance objectives were completed, surpassing the objective for 9 weeks and less than the objective for 11 weeks. Here is the graphic measured in kilometers.
The training plan so far included 2 half marathons and 1 trail marathon so there’s been a good mix of long slow distance and shorter, faster-paced races.
The weather for race day will be relatively cold with an expected temperature of around 3°C at 8:45 AM start time. The sky is supposed to be clear so the sun will warm things up to around 10°C during the race. I will wear shorts and a long sleeve shirt.
I was going to wear a belt with elastic loops designed to hold gel packs but on my last training run this morning when testing it, a gel slipped thru the loop twice and fell to the ground. I don’t think I’ll use the belt after all. Instead, I’ll wear shorts that have a pocket big enough for 2 or 3 gels and carry 3 gels in my hands. Or, better yet, use a pair of old socks as gloves and carry the gels inside the socks.
I bought a pack of 6 gels that are designed to take you thru a marathon. You’re supposed to consume an antioxidant before the start and at 20km, a blue one at 10km and 25km, and 2 fast energy gels at 35km.
For shoes, I’ve decided to wear an old pair of New Balance that are still holding together.
My objective in the race will be a new P.R., bettering my 3:26 finish in the 2005 Yvelines Marathon.
My strategy is to start out slowly in the group of people in the 3:45 pace start zone, pick my way thru the masses over the first few km to warm up and get into a rhythm. Time objective for the first 10km is 50min. I’ll pick up the pace in the Bois de Vincennes and hit the halfway point between 1:40 and 1:45. I want to cruise along the Seine at a good clip and once past the Eiffel Tower, attempt to kick it in over the last 5 or 6 km.