Why Can't I Race The Way I Practice?

This picture has nothing to do with running, it was just a cool shot
I got of the Catholic Church a few blocks from our house during
the Super Moon on Sunday evening

I've had a great week of training so far ... a 12 mile Tempo Run with 10 miles at a 6:29/pace, and a solid mid-week 15 mile Long Run this morning with 14 miles at a 6:54/pace.  And honestly, with the help of a nice break in the August temperature, both were very manageable and didn't seem to tax my legs.  In fact, for most of my training cycle for this marathon I've been very pleased with how my runs have gone and am looking forward to fast Fall races.

But here's where the doubt begins to creep in.  Like many of us I've had races where I've trained really well, always hit my splits, felt great about the event ... and then laid an egg when the gun sounded.  In fact Michael, my wife, commented after my last race about my disappointment with my finish time, "Yeah I don't know, something weird happens to you on race day!"  So true.

I've always heard runners loosely pass around the phrase, "You just never know what's going to happen on race day!" And while that's certainly true about the weather, I don't buy into this simplistic and seemingly excuse-driven logic for the other variables involved.  I just believe with a methodical and pragmatic approach, it's possible to control what happens with our bodies in a race environment. That said, I haven't quite figured it out yet ... not even close.

If I take a realistic look at training vs. racing, I'm not sure I'm being 100% honest with myself.  A productive week like this one can be like a dressing room mirror that makes images appear slightly skinnier than they actually are.  I'll reason with myself after a good workout, "Man, if I can run 10 miles at a 6:30 pace, surely I can run 26 miles at a 6:50 pace!"  Say what???  What kind of runner math makes that add up?

Close-up of the Super Moon with my Canon EOS Rebel 300mm lense

First of all, if I ever run a 3-hour marathon ... it doesn't really make me a 3-hour marathoner.  It will have been just a great result on the perfect day.  Similarly, just because on a perfect weather morning, on a training course of my choosing, with hills exactly when and where I place them, with no pressure and no expectation ... I put together a nice workout ... does not guarantee a perfect race in the Fall.  And it certainly doesn't seem to be an exact predictor of results.

But probably the biggest problem with my races is somewhat unrealistic expectations.  I really "feel like" I should be a 16'ish 5K'er ... I'm nowhere near that.  I'm pretty sure I have the speed to put together a 1:23'ish Half-Marathon ... but that's 4 minutes faster than my current time.  And I'm somewhat confident that I have a 3-hour Marathon inside me ... but after training my butt off all summer, I'm not exactly sure anymore.  But what's the point of having goals if they're all attainable?  That would be boring.

So in about 3 weeks I'll give the ol' 3-hour marathon my first honest try.  I say that headed to Idaho knowing that it's a complete long-shot.  The real "go for broke" race will be in November at Indy.  All of my training times indicate that I should be close ... but I've been conned into thinking I'm better than I am before.  However, good race or no, I'll keep plugging away and trying to nail down this inexact science that we all love chasing.  I mean if it were easy, everyone would do it ... right?  And maybe if the stars line up, or we get the perfect Super Moon, my Fall races will finally mirror the way train.  We'll see.  Hope your training's going well - have a great week!
... be great today!