10 days to the TCM

I feel good going into this marathon. No injuries, but I'm two weeks into a cold which should be gone very soon. I'm running well. I have my fueling/hydration plan figured out. This Saturday a bunch of us will run the final 8 miles of the course. We've run the hills along the river and Summit many times but it will be nice to run that final stretch one more time before the TCM.

I'm not planning to carry a pace chart for the TCM as I did in Fargo. I'll just run it as well as I can; I have a target average pace of 8:00 to finish in 3:30. My training is done so it all comes down to what 'the day' brings for me on the 5th.

--Mark

Bear Water Run - 10 mile

I ran the 10 mile distance of the Bear Water Run last Saturday. I was sick with a cold. I missed my final 20 miler the day before. Since I had planned my 20 for the Friday before, I only signed up for the 10 miler. The 20 mile distance of the race is perfect for Twin Cities Marathon runners.

The day was cool with some light rain on and off. The race started and I was still unsure how I was going to run until about a half a mile in. At that point I felt like running faster and I finished will with a new PR. My cold is now a week old but almost gone. It's about time.

Now it's time to taper for the TCM.

--Mark

Easy on the stomach

I've been trying a few different things on long runs to try to reduce intestinal-upset issues that happen beyond 15 or 16 miles into the run. Last Friday I ran 20.7 miles and had a very successful run. Breakfast was peanut butter on a piece of wheat toast. During the run I started with a hand-held bottle of POWERade and then switched to water. Every hour I took an S! Cap and twice I took 3 Clif Cran Razz Shot Bloks. That combination worked for me that day and I'll try it again next Friday on my final 20-miler before the Twin Cities Marathon.

--Mark