PUBLISHED 01/11/2007
Above all, your goal is to finish. Beyond that, many things can surprise you on race day-the weather, the course, your body-so having several goal options will give you more control over your marathon experience. Try these:
Goal 1: To enjoy the whole race-from start to finish. Take in the scenery, talk to the runners around you, thank the crowd, and take part in the postmarathon party. If you only accomplish this goal, your experience will be positive.
Goal 2: To finish strong, wanting to run another marathon. A strong marathon finish requires restraint during the first half of the race. For the first 15 miles or so, the pace should feel easy. If you start to breathe heavily early on, slow down immediately. It may seem overly cautious, but if you make the correction quickly you'll avoid a greater slowdown later in the race.
Goal 3: To run a realistic time. Use one of the "prediction tables" in my book Marathon-You Can Do It (Shelter Publications). First-timers running just "to finish" should have a very good experience if they run one to two minutes per mile slower than the prediction table states. Veterans should still run at least 20 seconds per mile slower than goal pace for the first five to eight miles. If you had a time goal but your body isn't cooperating, stick with goals 1 and 2.
