1 mile slow then 1/2 mile at mp and another 1/2 easy for a total of 2 miles followed by very light core work and rolling my legs.
When I signed up for this race I was excited that it all was going to be downhill. Well now I get the real scoope in an email from the race. Here is there description of the first 4 miles:
"Starting at almost 7900 feet evelvation, the first 3 miles of the course are challenging. From the very start, the first half-mile of the race gains about 100 feet elevation, which is nearly identical to the famous Heartbreak Hill in The Boston Marathon. Mile 2 loses roughly 250 feet of elevation and can be extremely fast, with an overall downhill grade of -4.7%. Mile 3 and 4 are where you can expct to slow down the most. Mile 3 gains over 290 feet of elevation, and that is at altitude of roughly 8000 feet. Breathing will be difficult, and the climbing will be tough. Mile 4 offers a little less of a challange, but it still has about 150 feet of gain."
I'll have to admit. Those first 4 miles have me a bit intimedated especially since I live and train at 500 feet evelvation. I figure I'll probably lose about 5 minutes off my goal pace in those first 4 miles. That's a lot of time to make up over the next 22 miles, but they really are downhill so who knows. I just plan on running by how I feel and not try to hit specific splits. Hopefully I will be able to run a smart race and finish strong.
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