What pace should I try and run the 10 marathons in 10 days?
This has been my big question for some time.
Even with all the training and preparation I’ve done, I don’t know what will be the right pace to run 10 marathons in 10 days and I don’t think anyone can tell me. For all 14 of us doing the event this year the correct answer will be different for each of us. This has to be my judgement and will probably alter during the event.
If I run too fast then the outcome is fairly obvious, at the very least I will struggle. I will get sore muscles and possibly injure myself meaning I will be unable to finish the challenge.
If I run too slowly then I could still have problems. When you hold yourself back, for example while going down a hill you use different muscles and this would be different to how I have trained. This can make these muscles ache and again lead to injury.
I started thinking that by running about 1 minute per mile slower than my usual marathon pace might be about right as I find this a very comfortable pace to run. As I usually finish a marathon in 3 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 40 minutes this would give me a daily finishing time of about 4 hours. Hopefully this pace will not leave me too fatigued for the running 10 consecutive days. It would be nice to complete the 10 marathons in an average of under 4 hours per day but I won’t be upset if I don’t achieve this barrier.
Generally I am going to start the challenge with this plan but I think there is something else to consider. While running long distances like marathons there are times when you feel good and can run well but there are also times when you feel tired and running is a struggle. The previous paragraph is a basis for my running pace but I don’t want to get too hung up on it, if things don’t go to plan. Should I feel one day or several days that I need to run slower, then I have already mentally prepared myself to accept this. Time is not the number one priority with this event, finishing the 10 days is and preferably injury free. I would like to continue to enjoy my running throughout the summer and then hopefully knock off a few more marathons in the autumn.
I plan to run at what I consider to be a comfortable pace each day and take each day as it comes. I may even alter the pace each day and during a run, if I feel I need to, whatever I think is best for comfort for that particular day and to avoid injury.
I keep using the word comfort. What I mean is, the running is going to be very tough and what I want to do is minimise the suffering and make the event as bearable as possible.
I haven’t mentioned the weather yet. This could range from different extremes. I don’t expect it to be too cold in May but it certainly could be too hot and this will affect my pace and make hydration paramount. It could also be very wet which can mean I’ll be wearing water proof gear and this will slow me down a little. Wind always affects your energy levels and obviously your times.
So to summarise all my thought, preparation and training:-
My plan is to go with how I feel and take each day as it comes, with no particular time goals.
