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Course & Race Strategy

Presented here are my race reviews and runner’s guides to some popular races. I document my experiences to give you the opportunity to prepare for your best race.

theoptimalrunner

What an unbelievable experience to participate in

What an unbelievable experience to participate in the Paris Olympic Games Marathon For All.While I didn’t run my fastest time, it was incredible just to run the same course as the olympians did just hours earlier. 1,500ft of hills, 80 degrees at the start and a 9pm start time was not enough to keep me from smiling start to finish. Seeing the sights of Paris at night with never-ending roaring fans was plenty of motivation all along the course. Of course, my favorite fan was waiting with just 2 miles to go!I am thankful to the Lord for the ability to run and to bring Him glory through this sport. He sustained me through a hard summer of training and many unknowns going into the race. May His name be praised!#marathonpourtousparis2024 #parisolympics #olympics #running #parismarathon #explore

It was a PR day at Indy this morning! Ran a consis

It was a PR day at Indy this morning! Ran a consistent race and came through in 2:52:09 which was almost 5 minutes faster than my previous best from 2019.A very special shout-out to Hannah and Pax, the best fans I could ask for! They sacrificed throughout the summer and fall to help me get my training in and truly supported me every day. Loved getting to celebrate with them this weekend!Next up in 2024: Paris!#marathon #running #monumentalmarathon #runner #runnersofinstagram #fast #dadlife

I love the Brooks slogan #runhappyTomorrow I wil

I love the Brooks slogan #runhappyTomorrow I will run happy around the streets of Indy. It’s been a long training cycle and tomorrow is the culmination of that journey. I’m thankful to the Lord for blessing me with this ability to run!Finished the 18 weeks of training just shy of 900 miles and am excited to put it in action tomorrow. Let’s have some fun!#monumentalmarathon #running #runnersofinstagram #behappy #runfast #marathon #run #indy

2023 Flying Pig Marathon Training: By the Numbers!

2023 Flying Pig Marathon Training: By the Numbers!My 2023 Flying Pig Marathon training was by far the most consistent training block I have put together in my 5 years of distance running. I finished just shy of averaging 50 miles per week (892 total), but completed 84 more miles than my previous high (808). I pretty much stuck to the training plan I have followed for my other races, but made one pretty significant change. Previously on my easy mileage days I would average 5-6 miles at 7:45-8:00 pace. This year, I made the shift to 7-8 miles at 8:00-8:30 pace. Slowing down the easy runs helped my body handle the extra mileage and build more endurance base. Looking forward to using this strategy again in future training!#flyingpigmarathon #cincinnati #running #marathon #runner #race #runningblogger #runnersofinstagram

Flying Pig Marathon Recap Part 5:The 23rd mile w

Flying Pig Marathon Recap Part 5:The 23rd mile was my first split over 7 minutes (7:02). C’mon Kyle, just a few more miles to go, you can do this! Around this time, the rain started to pick back up as the next round of rain come through. It was cool and refreshing, as I couldn’t get any more wet than I already was. As I got closer to downtown, the course became more and more familiar. I knew where the few climbs ahead were and what effort was needed. My legs were on fire, and I felt my cadence starting to slow. I finally made it to the final mile and managed to stay in low 7:00’s. I could hear the finish line crowds as I made the final turn onto Mehring Way for the final stretch. I was giving everything I had, I wanted to go faster but my body was ready to be done. As I neared Great American Ballpark, my core started to cramp up. I had never experienced that before while running, but just tried to focus on my breathing as I neared the final downhill into the finish.As I came under the Roebling bridge, I could see the finish line. I looked down at my watch and saw 2:56:59 tick to 2:57. I knew I had sub-3 at that point. A big smile came across my face as I trotted toward the finish line. All that hard work had paid off, I had made it! I crossed through in 2:57:37, my second fastest marathon of the 7 I have now completed. What a race and what an experience. I’m very appreciative of everyone who supported me before, during and after the race. Marathon running takes a village and I’m so thankful to have a great one beside me!#flyingpigmarathon #cincinnati #running #marathon #runner #race #runningblogger #runnersofinstagram

Flying Pig Marathon Recap Part 4:As we hit the h

Flying Pig Marathon Recap Part 4:As we hit the high point of the course after mile 8, the rain finally started to calm down, but the effects lingered on. I was completely drenched from head to toe with 2hr of running ahead of me. However, the incredibleness of what we just ran through started to sink in. I caught a pack of 6-7 guys and joined in and we all recounted what we just ran through. Everybody was in good spirits and just thankful not to be running through any more rain. We started clocking some fast splits as we took advantage of the downhill portion of the course. We settled into a solid pace and enjoyed each other’s camaraderie as we neared the half mark. Even with all the rain on the hills, I was still right on my race plan. We came through halfway at 1:28:36, smack in the middle of my 1:27-1:30 plan. Perfect!We cruised into Mariemont after the half point and our pack started to separate. My legs were starting to feel the effects of 15mi of hills and rain, but my breathing and heart rate were still ok. I decided to keep pressing forward with the mid-6:30 pace with a couple of the guys. However, we hit the highway at mile 18 and my watch buzzed 6:21. That’s way too fast for me, but they were pulling away from me. I could feel my HR climbing and knew I needed to back off. It was tough seeing them pulling away from me, but knew it was the right decision with 8 long miles to go.The last 8 miles are a tough challenge. Most of the crowd support is near the downtown area and after leaving Fairfax, it got quiet. The rain hadn’t picked back up heavier than small light drizzles, so the humidity & mid-60’s started to affect me more. I watched my HR creep up slowly as I ticked off the miles. I could feel the fatigue starting to set in as my legs got heavier. Marathon running requires a lot of physical strength but requires an equal amount of mental strength. By mile 20 I had slowed to running around 6:50 pace from my earlier 6:30's. I found myself calculating my pace needed for sub-3 each time I went through a new mile mark. I knew if I didn’t blow up that I had it covered, but boy was I getting tired.#flyingpigmarathon #cincinnati #running #marathon

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