I'm a cyclist, I am running my first marathon tomorrow and I have a few last minute questions

Should I shave my legs? For cyclists the answer is obvious, rule 33 (https://www.velominati.com/) and all that. What is it for runners? I don’t want to give a bad impression in my first appearance.

Racesuit or Skinsuit? I’m tempted to go for racesuit. The pockets will come handy to carry my gels and I probably can afford the additional drag. 

Also, on what side should I pin my race number? I saw a few runners pinning their number on their belly. Are they hiding it for any reason?

Any sock length rules I should have in mind? The Union Cycliste Internationale is very opinionated on sock length. What about the Union “Runiste” Internationale?

Is it normal to not feel any faster on your [very expensive] racing shoes? When I bought them (“All the gear, no idea” could be my religion) I was surprised they were cheaper than my winter wheels. The surprise came when Strava said I had to buy a new pair. That is when I realized their cost per mile is higher than a black cab in London. I’m a cyclist, I’m used to falling for these marketing tricks, it would just be nice to know that I’m not alone among the runners.

Are town signs locations going to be published? One of my cycling mates (JFW) is big on going for town signs early in the race and dying half way into the race. He is also running this marathon and I’d like him to have a good experience.

Kind of the same question about KOMs? I’m not a climber but another of my cyclist-become-runner mates (The Pope) is a proper mountain goat. Is he going to be disappointed? 

What is the equivalent of wheelsucking in running? Is it considered good form to sit on someone's shoes for kilometers and then outsprint that runner in the finish line? Asking for a friend.

Where do I put my Garmin? I was considering carrying it in my hand but it feels uncomfortable. 

What is the equivalent of wheelsucking in running? Is it considered good form to sit on someone's shoes for kilometers and then outsprint that runner in the finish line? Asking for a friend.

At what kilometer will it be the coffee stop? I hope they have scones.

I don’t have any questions about the helmet

Take care of yourself

Javier Arias González

Trying to find my marathon pace

Last Sunday I tried to find my marathon pace and my heart rate strap didn't work (https://www.strava.com/activities/12920436090).

Today, again, my heart rate strap didn't work so I removed it and relied on the heart rate measured by my watch. 

The problem was today was windy. Very, very windy. Gusty winds that didn't follow any pattern. Sometimes tail wind, very often cross winds and, what felt most of the time, head winds. 

That means that last Sunday's heart rate was useless and today's pace was useless.

So, I have decide I'm going to pace my Valencia marathon based on heart rate. I'm going to aim to run it at 145 - 155 bpm. That is between 85% and 90% of my maximal heart rate (170bpm).

I don't know what pace that would be. My best guess is somewhere between 5m15" (a 3:41:31 marathon) and 4m45" (a 3:20:26 marathon).

Finishing is a must. Finishing in that bracket would be an amazing result and I'd be satisfied with how the whole year went. 

But now that I have put concrete figures to it you can bet I'll aim for the lower one.

One week to find out. Uncomfortably excited about it.

The run in Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/12971960713

Take care of yourself

Javier Arias González

 

A story of disappointment

Today was meant to be an intervals day. Something similar to this session (https://www.strava.com/activities/12850227840).

The problem was it only took me 20 meters into the first sprint to give up. 

Giving up in your first sprint when you are supposed to do ten of them is very disappointing. 

It didn't go down well. I sweared out loud (in Spanish, mindful of the dog walkers)

I tried again in the next lap but I gave up even earlier. 

That's the moment I started to think about quitting the whole session. 

Instead, I kept running slow and trying to sprint in every lap. I was sprinting without faith though. Giving up before the sprint started.

Disappointment with myself grew bigger.

I wasn't sprinting, I wasn't even trying. What <insert here your favorite swear word> was I doing?

I don't know. 

To protect myself I stopped thinking about it and carried on doing what I was doing, pretending to be sprinting for about 10 meters in every lap. 

Waited to cover the 10km distance and called it a day.

Do you know what adds insult to the injury? 

The moment I got home I felt great. 

So here I am now feeling fresh, energized, not tired at all (what should I feel tired of? I ask myself) and very disappointed with myself.

I know it will pass. I have disappointed myself a lot in the past. Doesn’t seem experience helps to feel any better though. 

I need an ice cream.

The run in Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/12956793220/

Take care 

Javier Arias González

My journey to Valencia Marathon

This is how my training for Valencia Marathon has evolved since the beginning of the year (after, say, 35 years of not running at all).

In my mind I see two clear blocks. 

The first block goes from the beginning of the year to the end of July (first peak at 81.76 km/week). That was a seven month period where everything went to plan. Including the three weeks of no running due to riding the Bryan Chapman 600 and a cycling training camp in Granada. 

The topic of that block was increasing frecuency and volume while running mostly at 6 min/km. Most of the runs done in the treadmill with the objective to get less impact and allow my body to adapt. From march I gradually introduced running outside. From June we started the Kingston Wheelers running club sessions pushing the pace towards 5:30 min/km. 

I am happy with my consistency during that period.

The second block starts at the beginning of August. A series of BIG cycling events (1001 Miglia, training camp in California), week long trips (NYC, Barcelona), and an injury (I pushed a bit too much in my second trail run) forced me to follow the mantra of "when you can't do what you must do you must do what you can do". 

Consistency disappeared, it was replaced with the constant wonder of what to do next. How much should I run with jet lag? When is ok to get back to running after an injury? When you should increase intensity? Should I drop from the marathon and half marathon I had entered as preparation?

I am very happy with how I managed those decisions. At the end of October I was doubting I was going to be able to even run the marathon. A month later I believe I am at the right balance between excited and scared.

10 days now to Valencia. 

Take care

Javier Arias González