Track and Field Blogs - Ryan Hall

Besides logging hundreds of miles of running over the past two weeks I have been watching previous Olympic Marathons while I stretch or while doing core work. What I have noticed is that the favorite rarely seems to win. I was reflecting on why this is the case. It kind of blows my mind that someone with a PR some two minutes or more slower than another athlete can win on the most important day of both athletes careers. While I am sure there is not just one explanation for why the "impossible" happens in Olympic marathons I am beginning to understand how this phenomenon can occur considering the hot and humid conditions that most Olympic marathons are run in.

The temperature in Big Bear hasn't been "Beijing-like" in the past couple of weeks but it has been warm. I have done a fair amount of running in 75 degree temperature, which at altitude feels pretty "hot". Even in these "moderate" conditions I am beginning to understand the unique challenge that awaits me on August 24th. The heat and humidity in Beijing will be a challenge. In my previous marathons the emphasis was always on the competition, the coarse, and mastering the pace. For Beijing it is all about smart race tactics in light of the heat, humidity, and competition.

I feel blessed be surrounded by all the expertise I need to prepare me for this new challenge. At the marathon summit a couple of weeks ago we learned a lot of things we can do to help get us ready for the heat and humidity. Last weekend I practiced some of these methods during my long run. I did my usual pre-race routine in the morning but this time I planned to take in more fluids than I was accustomed to. I decided to wear my jersey to play around with how it feels to have something wet on my skin. I have to decide if I want to tuck my jersey in like Baldini did in 2004 or cut it short, almost like a mid-drift, like Meb did. I have to decide if, and when, it is appropriate to cool myself by pouring water on my head. Should I wear a hat? Should I use special bottles to keep my liquids cold? How do my shoes feel when they get wet from fluids? There are many of these little things to get figured out before race day that I usually don't really think much about. One piece of equipment that I am pretty excited about for race day is my Oakley sunglasses that have hydrophobic lenses, which repel the water that I will be dosing myself with. They are truly amazing. The Olympic Marathon will be the venue to showcase the latest and greatest cooling technology. Just today I emailed a Stanford Professor about this hand cooling system that increases the circulation of blood into your hand while simultaneously cooling the blood and sending it back into the body. It is pretty crazy how technical something as simple as running can become. Any of these little factors could be the deciding factors that get me on to the podium.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle that I will face in Beijing is getting in enough water and carbs to sustain me all the way through the finish line. I have never measured my water loss before this weekends long run. The temperature was 70 degrees and I would be running 15 miles around the lake in my hometown before heading uphill for the last 5 miles. I was amazed when I stepped on the scale upon completing my run and to see that I had lost nearly 4 pounds of water weight despite having drank 48 oz of fluid during the run. I lost over 100 oz of water during my two hour run. Add in at extra ten degrees and a lot more humidity and I am sure my water loss will be much, much higher in Beijing. I realize now how important it is going to be to learn to take in a lot of fluid. A lot more fluid than the 6 oz of Cytomax I am accustomed to taking during the 8 special fluid stations provided every 5k.

I continue to tweak my water intake and try new cooling systems. Next week I will try a cooling vest and cold packs before my tempo run. I also realize that I need to try to change the way I think. I can handle the cold because no matter how cold it may be I always tell myself "it's not that bad." I never walk outside and say to myself, "its cold" because I know that the moment I do the battle is over and I will cave into my flesh. However, I haven't been as good at applying this same method to the heat. I find myself walking outside when it is 70 complaining about it being hot. I need to change my mindset now, otherwise I know the conditions will get the best of me in Beijing. Now, I have decided I will never tell myself "it's hot" until August 25th.

With all my preparations for the heat and humidity I still remind myself to be ready for anything. In Atlanta they were expecting very hot and humid conditions, however when race day came they actually competed on an overcast morning that wasn't nearly as hot as most were anticipating. I believe it is really important to show up on race day with an open mind as to what the conditions may be like and how the race can unfold. Be ready for everything, expect nothing!