I’ve been running for years now, racing only for 10K and half-marathons. I had aimed at running my first marathon like 5 months ago, but I had to keep on pushing back because of many injuries. The last one I had planned was for Miami in January, but after having done my first few 20 miles training sessions my knees were very sore. So I canceled that one too, and I’m now finally going to loose my marathon virginity in Medellín on March 22nd. I just needed a couple of weeks for my knees to heal, and now I have many 20 milers in the bank, each one easier than the previous one. Two weeks ago I did my first 100K week, and on Monday last week I did the final 20, which ended up being like 22, with lots of fuel left in the tank. So having pushed back my first marathon has definitely made me more ready. Also I think the sand track I’m training on for the last couple of months has served me well to avoid injuries, and also the biking, which I’m loving it. But after that last long run I think I overdid on the bike the next day, and ended up with a mild annoyance on my right upper quad. Now I just need to have an IT band syndrome and hamstring problems to have experienced every conceivable running injury known to mankind! So I continued running very slow last week, and took the weekend off.

Today (Monday) I was supposed to do the last hard session by running a 10K, but I started too fast and couldn’t complete the distance. Usual mistake, and great reminder for the big event. Quad ache is back a little bit, but since the real taper starts now it should have plenty of time to heal completely, so I’m not worried.

The “Maratón del Valle de Aburrá” is no piece of cake. It can get pretty hot and humid, and it has some nasty hills. From my experience, all I need is to run smart the first half hour. I don’t have the slightest idea what time I could be making. I’m thinking I won’t be even looking at the time in my watch and just leave the pacer mode to dose things appropriately and avoid doing stupid things.