http://runkeeper.com/user/PGHMarathon/route/251262
This is a fun little tool. It looks like the only major uphill is mile 11 to 12.5. Is this true, Ross, or did you feel the smaller ones, too? I'm also curious to hear about how the downhill at mile 22 to 23.5 feels.
That's all from me today. I'm having a hard time coping with the upcoming agony of this race, but I've got to get to work.
PS - No Ricky Lader for Pittsburgh. Too bad.
That one hill is quite big, but it's not steep or anything. My advice is to just go up at whatever pace maintains your effort level and don't waste any energy trying to save like ten seconds. Two years ago my time for that mile was about 7:14 when I'd been running about 6:57 per up to that point, so it's not even worth it to try to charge up the hill.
ReplyDeleteThe smaller ones, which are nothing more than gradual slopes - they would never be called hills - aren't a big deal, although they do come at a crucial stage. If you're feeling good, you'll be fine. If you're dying, you'd probably die on a pancake flat course at that point just the same.
The big downhill is the greatest; it effectively shortens the race. Unfortunately, with the course change, the bottom is pretty much the 24 mile mark (it was 25 before). If you're feeling good, you can make up a ton of time here - much, much more than you will lose by trotting up the big hill. Just lean forward.