Like tall cans in the freezer when they get too cold
2 weeks to go until STWM
The taper begins.
This was my last week over 200km. Today was my last long-run, 30km. Yesterday was my last banger of a workout, 5 X mile. Now it’s time to put the finishing touches on the training and let the pop reappear in my legs.
In the past 12 weeks I’ve averaged over 200km/week which is about 15km/week more than last year in the same 12 week period. Our full specific marathon build-up is 14 weeks but I don’t like throwing the last two weeks in the average because it just pulls it down, haha.
Another difference this year is the amount of external pressure I am experiencing. It really hit me when I was watching the Berlin marathon on CBC yesterday. At the end of their coverage Scott Russell told the viewers to tune-in on October 16th as Reid Coolsaet aims to break Jerome Drayton’s 36 year old Canadian record. It was weird watching the statement from the TV even though I’ve read it in print a few times. For a second it seemed a little scary but more than anything it made me excited. I guess I could have taken it either way but I’m glad distance running is getting some attention and it helps having a good plot. For many years we’ve complained about the lack of media attention so now that we’re getting something I might as well embrace it. Part of me even feels like playing it up and making bold statements, but I’m not sure I could do that without laughing.
Internal pressure vs external pressure. Last year I probably put more pressure on myself to break the Olympic standard than I am putting on myself to break the Canadian record. I think that is because I’ve been focused on making the Olympics for a much longer time. In 2005 when I made the World Championships in the 5000m it only seemed logical to shoot for the Olympics in three years time. Having not had the chance to chase standards in 2008 due to injury put even more fire in my belly. Hopefully the media attention on the record chase will ease some external pressure off of Eric and Dylan chasing the Olympic standard at Scotiabank because I assume they’re already putting enough pressure on themselves. Heck, maybe it will allow them to go to work silently on the record on October 16th.
Something cool that I got the opportunity to be a part of is www.whatmyphonesaw.com. It’s a page where numerous Canadian athletes post pictures of…well, whatever. There’s a cool video of Adam Van Koeverdan, titled “Fortress of Solitude,” about his remote training camp in Algonquin Park. It’s a great piece and it opened my eyes up a little more to kayaking. For some reason I always pictured rowers and paddlers training back and forth on a strip of water in a lake or river, similar to swimming in lanes which, I find boring. But Adam can paddle 35-40km from lake to lake in an awesome landscape, similar to doing a long-run in the trails… just watch the video.
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FLOAT ON 
Long time reader but first time commenter. Just wanted to wish you luck. I’ll be watching the live stream on the 16th. You’re already a Canadian distance hero. Champ it!
Saw you training in Guelph last sunday, you almost stepped on that snake 🙂 The Guelph Running Room will be cheering for you at Scotiabank!
I wasn’t in Guelph last Sunday, must of been a look-a-like.
Sorry, two weeks ago Sunday by the covered bridge. Putting together Eric’s beard and the newly aquired Zoo Run shirts, we thought it had to be you guys.
You probably saw Eric, Rob and John Mason. I was up North at a wedding.
Long time reader and second time commenter. I want also to wish you luck. I’ll be watching from Hamilton on the 16th. And I second the motion – you’re most certainly a Canadian distance hero.
I did a double take at that Russell comment too. Good luck.
It’s a lot of pressure but from what I’ve seen by your results and read in your blog you definitely have the talent for it. I think its inspirational that you have achieved so much to get the chance to break it.
My only disappointment from running the race myself is that I won’t get to see the results live. But I will be taping and watching. Good luck!
Knock em dead in Toronto… I’ll be watching you at the olympics!
Cheers
I read your blog all the time and I’m so excited to see the race! Good luck! Definitley think you can do it! (:
P.S. Thanks for keeping this blog up, I’m a young runner, and I find it very inspiring (:
Hey Reid. In the end it’s you and the road, so just tell yourself pressure schmessure. I have a suspicion great things will happen. Regardless, as someone who has struggled for several years on the wrong side of the 3 hour barrier, it has been inspiring to see what you and your colleagues have done for the sport of marathoning in Canada, and motivating in reading your blog to get out and put a few more miles in. Looking forward to being part of STWM. Hopefully, 49 minutes after you’ve crossed the line, cooled down and done a dozen interviews, I’ll track you down to say thanks, good luck in London, float on …
I wanted to wish you good luck in your race Reid. I know the conditions have to be good on race day and that the odds are in your favour that they will be. It’s great to hear that you have more mileage in now then for last years marathon. Now you can have the confidence to do what you need to do. Remember no matter what happens you have did your best in the training and the number one thing is you are healthy going in. I am sure you will give it your all. You can do it!!