These miles are often the tough ones.
Miles 15 through 20, or 18 to 21, or any combination of the numbers after the middle but not quite at the end of a marathon, often require the most mental sustenance to get through. The Marine Corps Marathon countdown series, which break down the miles of the marathon for pre-race mental preparation, tackles those miles today.
The series is based on a chapter from an old edition of Runner’s World’s “Guide to Running,” which advocates visualizing a marathon in manageable chunks during your taper to prepare to run the race in manageable chunks come race day. Here's what the book has to say about the late middle miles: "This is a tough segment for many people. You have been running for at least two hours, yet you still can't smell the finish. See yourself digging down, working hard, holding your own and starting to pass others."
Marine Corps Marathon runners are lucky: This chunk of the race takes them on a big, glorious loop around the National Mall. A runner couldn't ask for better eye candy than memorials, museums and other sights tourists travel thousands of miles to glimpse. This Examiner will plan to listen to Jay-Z's "Run This Town" on her iPod during this stretch, because really, how lucky are we to be running a marathon that could serve as an educational vacation as well as a workout?
One other treat during this stretch: Runners can pick up some Sports Beans at the aid station at mile 19. Sweet!
Study the course map for more information.
Previous installments:
Marine Corps Marathon countdown: visualizing miles one through five
Marine Corps Marathon Countdown: visualizing miles five through 10
Marine Corps Marathon Countdown: visualizing miles 10 through 15
Marine Corps Marathon countdown: visualizing miles 20 through the finish
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