It's funny, I feel like I'm your brother in spirit right now. I've worked for a Sub-3 for many years and finally cracked it at a training race in the middle of my plan this March. I've done a massive half marathon PB (1:22:01) a week ago and in two weeks my main race (Hamburg) will take place. But already I'm thinking about the big trail goal for me this year: Zugspitz Ultratrail.
I have found a great solution to this sort of "A-race fatigue" we're both experiencing: I've made it my goal to be the Sub-3 pacer for a friend of mine instead of focussing on improving my own Sub-3 PB by a couple minutes. That’s more worthwhile and it provides me with more meaning to be serving someone else during that race.
Whatever you will do in Hanover, fingers crossed you'll have a great day and end up enjoying it a lot. All the best!
This so resonates. I'm also toeing the start line this Sunday, for a half marathon. The training cycle was, all things considered, pretty great. But it feels like the punctuation, or an add-on, that got thrown onto the end of my prior training cycle, which had culminated in my first ever marathon in November, which had been 4 years in the making. Nothing will top that. At the same time, I just couldn't stop training. I also love the journey, the routine, the daily structure. And now I have this "A" race, and I'm grateful to be able to do it, and I'm going to give it my all, but what do you do when no race will ever top the best ever "AA" race that's done and over?
Thanks for sharing this! Yes, I totally feel you. I have once called those "AA" races "Running on hallowed ground". I know that not everyone can relate to such spiritual references but despite not being a religious person, it was the best way for me to describe those über-special races that are either rare or once in a lifetime events. https://dasz.substack.com/p/running-on-hallowed-ground
I absolutely love this - "running on hallowed ground". Those experiences don't happen very often, but this is such a great mindset and experience to strive for.
Haha this is so awesome! Same same, checked in a massive hm pb as well on the way to Hannover. I’m so satisfied with everything and it’s obviously no wonder that my hunger for the marathon is not that big :-)
Your idea of pacing a friend is genius! BUT… I am very cautious with taking pacer jobs. If I do that I take it very seriously and want to be 100% sure that I can bring my friend from the start to the finish line in the exact time I was "booked" for. From my experience you need at least (!) a 20-30 min headroom on the marathon goal time if you really want to guarantee doing a great job. I’ve seen so many pacers – even official ones booked by the event organizers – who completely failed to deliver and left whole groups of runners clueless on the course when they had to drop out of the race.
With that being said: I’m in tip top shape and running under 3 hours again is absolutely possible, but I wouldn’t dare to promise it to a friend I pace. Or to anyone else, for that matter haha!
Regarding your marathon hunger, I have the saying: If you don't feel like it, it will be great!
That’s a great one! I will steal it from you. Thanks!
It's funny, I feel like I'm your brother in spirit right now. I've worked for a Sub-3 for many years and finally cracked it at a training race in the middle of my plan this March. I've done a massive half marathon PB (1:22:01) a week ago and in two weeks my main race (Hamburg) will take place. But already I'm thinking about the big trail goal for me this year: Zugspitz Ultratrail.
I have found a great solution to this sort of "A-race fatigue" we're both experiencing: I've made it my goal to be the Sub-3 pacer for a friend of mine instead of focussing on improving my own Sub-3 PB by a couple minutes. That’s more worthwhile and it provides me with more meaning to be serving someone else during that race.
Whatever you will do in Hanover, fingers crossed you'll have a great day and end up enjoying it a lot. All the best!
This so resonates. I'm also toeing the start line this Sunday, for a half marathon. The training cycle was, all things considered, pretty great. But it feels like the punctuation, or an add-on, that got thrown onto the end of my prior training cycle, which had culminated in my first ever marathon in November, which had been 4 years in the making. Nothing will top that. At the same time, I just couldn't stop training. I also love the journey, the routine, the daily structure. And now I have this "A" race, and I'm grateful to be able to do it, and I'm going to give it my all, but what do you do when no race will ever top the best ever "AA" race that's done and over?
Thanks for sharing this! Yes, I totally feel you. I have once called those "AA" races "Running on hallowed ground". I know that not everyone can relate to such spiritual references but despite not being a religious person, it was the best way for me to describe those über-special races that are either rare or once in a lifetime events. https://dasz.substack.com/p/running-on-hallowed-ground
I absolutely love this - "running on hallowed ground". Those experiences don't happen very often, but this is such a great mindset and experience to strive for.
Thank you so much, Jenna!
Freu mich darauf dabei zu sein ❤️
weiß nicht was da noch schief gehen kann….
Haha this is so awesome! Same same, checked in a massive hm pb as well on the way to Hannover. I’m so satisfied with everything and it’s obviously no wonder that my hunger for the marathon is not that big :-)
Your idea of pacing a friend is genius! BUT… I am very cautious with taking pacer jobs. If I do that I take it very seriously and want to be 100% sure that I can bring my friend from the start to the finish line in the exact time I was "booked" for. From my experience you need at least (!) a 20-30 min headroom on the marathon goal time if you really want to guarantee doing a great job. I’ve seen so many pacers – even official ones booked by the event organizers – who completely failed to deliver and left whole groups of runners clueless on the course when they had to drop out of the race.
With that being said: I’m in tip top shape and running under 3 hours again is absolutely possible, but I wouldn’t dare to promise it to a friend I pace. Or to anyone else, for that matter haha!