The First Race of 09

This Saturday Tanya and I will be heading to Phoenix to run the PF Chang's Rock and Roll Marathon on Sunday; and I am pretty pumped about it. My training has not been going as well as I would have liked, and I had a head and chest cold over the Christmas holiday; but I still feel good about pushing myself this Sunday. I had my heart set on going under 4 hours, and I am going to push the envelope and see if I can still meet that goal. I have gone under 4 hours only one time previously at the St. George marathon. My understanding is the course in AZ is flat and fast. Not sure if the flat part works in my favor or not? Flat usually mean a whole lot more effort (running), if you know what I mean? Going under that 4 hour mark will be about everything working right, and running a smart race. I have been close so many times, last year a week after running the RR100 I ran the Lost Dutchman Marathon 4:07:07. Even without the best training in the last few weeks, I know my legs have the experience and miles on them to handle the pounding. I usually don't make predictions, but the Eagles are going to the Superbowl and I am going to run a sub 4 marathon!