Final Wrap-up

Last couple weeks have been crazy. With work travel, getting sick and preparing for my post-race trip to Asia, I have been spread thin to say the least. I think that I have come through it all pretty well. Got in some good workouts (below), but also came up short on a few. Mentally I'm in a good space for the race, determined to run smart for one and try to negative split the course. The only nagging issue that I'm having is my sciatic nerves. They have been REALLY bothering me ever since last weekend when I went snowboarding and rode powder on Saturday. It really aggravated that nerve in both legs and I can barely sit now without them being very apparent and painful. I've been noticing them on the runs too but am hoping that I can get through it on Sunday. I'll try to write another short update from LA tomorrow evening, but if not. Go to the LA Marathon website on Sunday morning for live tracking, Facebook updates, etc. Race goes off at 7:25am PST. Look for me to run a bit slow in the first half (shooting for 1:20-1:21) and then to try to pick it up in the back half. Goal is to get under 2:40, as I think I'm not quite in good enough shape to attempt the original 6min pace goal.

Here are a few workouts from the past few weeks:

3/7: Tempo Run - goal: 10-miles at 6:11/mi pace
Came up short on this one. Had a higher mileage week the past week and my legs just felt dead. Additionally, I was running on a very muddy/icy/snowy trail...
did 7-miles as: (6:01, 6:10, 6:08, 6:18, 6:10, 6:17, 6:18) - avg: 6:11/mi

3/5: Track Workout - goal: 6 x 1-mile at 5:50/mi pace with 400m jog recovery
5:36, 5:50, 5:48, 5:45, 5:49, 5:48 - felt great... barely noticed this workout.

3/3: Long run: 16-miles at moderate pace (6:41/mi)
This was a rough one... avg'd 6:51 pace throughout.

2/27: Tempo Run - goal: 10-miles at 6:11/mi pace
Was in a hotel in Twin Falls Idaho and not feeling the best. Tried to do this tempo on the treadmill but pulled the plug at 2-miles and instead did 3 x 2mi at 6:08 goal pace:
12:17 (6:09, 6:08), 12:15 (6:08, 6:07), 12:21 (6:14, 6:07)

2/25: Track Workout - goal 4 x 1.5mi @ 5:50/mi pace
We had a big snowstorm in Denver, so I was forced to hit the treadmill for this, my first workout after the break from the Austin half-marathon.
8:41, 8:41, 8:40, 8:41 - avg 5:48/mi pace - felt good.