Recently, I listened to a podcast episode between Peter Bromka and Jeff Cunningham. One of the talking points surrounded their thoughts on approaching the final 10k of a marathon. Though each had their own opinions on whether the final 10k was an important mark or some shorter closing distance like 8k, I came away with the idea that it’d be good to share with you how I would attack the final 10k of the California International Marathon.
As I’ve completed CIM seven times with a sub 3 and 3 BQ’s, I know where I failed in the final 10k and what I did to excel in the final 10k.
As always, if you have further CIM questions, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @daviddamron.
It Starts With…
Now, before I break down the handful of aspects you can mentally and physically focus on in the final 10k of the California International Marathon, I have to start with the first 20 miles.
This will be a brief approach and you can check out the full course approach and breakdown in this article.
The number one failure by CIM rookies is overdoing it on the first 10-13 miles of rolling hills. Though the net elevation loss is greater in the first half of the race, the rollers end up coming back to haunt many runners far later in the race.
Controlling effort, even more so than pace, in the first 10 miles may cost 3-5 seconds per mile in pace, but that slight give on the rollers can be taken back miles 14-19.
Again, there’s far more to know than that as my other article discusses, but before focusing all mental energy on the final 10k, be aware of the grim reaper catching up to you in the final 10k for your sins in the first 13 miles.
The Final 10k of the California International Marathon
10k (6.2 Miles) To Go | Mile Marker 20
There are three non-finish line spots on the course where you can’t miss the roar of the spectators.
Mile 10 – Old Town Fair Oaks
Mile 13.4 – Fair Oaks Blvd at Manzanita Ave
Miles 20-21 – Loehmann’s Plaza
Focusing on that 20-21 mile section, this is one of the final spots spectators choose to see their runners prior to heading to the finish line to catch them there. This section is loud and provides a boost of energy for around a mile in total.
The problem is the crowds drastically thin out after this section. It’s not like there are no fans until the finish, but you just got this major energy rush and then it’s a lot more quiet and now you’re pretty much alone with your thoughts when it really starts to hurt.
This is all to say, at mile 20, stick to your pace (no faster). After getting past these crowds, then ask yourself if you can increase the pace.
Don’t run a sub 30-second goal-pace mile at mile 20 only to realize you blew the tires off and now can’t move with 4-5 miles to go.
7-8k (4.5ish Miles) To Go | Between Mile Marker 21-22
So, you’ve transitioned through the roar of the 21 mile marker and it becomes extremely silent. You are heading towards this right hand bend which will direct you over the American River and towards Downtown Sacramento.
This, my friends, is what I simply refer to as The Bridge.
The Bridge is not a difficult climb. However, any elevation increase at this stage of the marathon is not appreciated.
Trust me. You’ll know what I’m talking about as you approach The Bridge.
My overall CIM advice can be boiled down to:
- Take it easy through the first 10 miles of rollers.
- Try to push the pace miles 14-19.
- Hang on until after The Bridge and see what happens.
The focus from miles 19-21 should be to maintain the pace to, up, and over The Bridge.
If all else fails in your race in the first 20 miles, reiterate to yourself, “JUST GET TO THE BRIDGE!”
Once you clear the bridge, the 22-mile marker is soon thereafter so mentally and physically you’ve cleared quite the hurdle.
3.25-5k (2-3 Miles) To Go | Miles 23-24
Not going to lie. I hate this section. Why? Straight, flat 2 miles of grueling hell.
There’s nothing particularly bad about this section. It just seems, again, never-ending at this stage of the race.
I will say that the large mile 24 banner is one of the most beautiful sites to see.
2-3k (2 Miles) To Go | Mile 25
As just noted, passing the beautiful mile 24 banner means we are in mile 25 which breaks up the monotony.
Within a block of the 24 banner, you make a hard left, go two blocks, into a hard right. You pass under the freeway and the walking bridge for the hospital. This is followed by a water station and a slight bend in the road.
All of those things happening within a mile mentally break up the pain that certainly has set in.
After the bend, you run about 1-2 blocks before passing the 25-mile banner.
1-2k (1.2 Miles) To Go | Mile 26
This is going to sound odd, but there’s one more hurdle.
Within mile 26, you will cross some train tracks. Make sure to watch your footing so as not to trip with about a mile to go. A fall here could derail your entire day (see what I did there).
Next up are the palm trees. The state capitol is lined with palm trees. You can’t see them until about a block or two away. Once you hit that street corner, you have about 1k to go.
One of the biggest course complaints I hear every year is about having to run PAST the finish line.
So, right at mile marker 26, you can look to your left and see all the finishers who just finished their race a block over. However, you have to go straight for two more blocks before making two left-hand turns into the finish.
Yes, you will cuss under your breath. Yes, it’s okay.
The energy in the last 3/4 mile is awesome so enjoy the moment.
The Final 10k of CIM
The goal of this article was to share my course knowledge of where I’ve struggled and how I’ve learned to fight to the finish.
Much of how the last 10k goes will be dependent on how the first 32k went. However, it’s never a bad idea to know what to expect in the last miles so you can build a plan ahead of the race.
I hope this helped and I’ll be right by your side for the CIM final 10k every year until the day I die.
