Someone pointed out to me that folks might not be aware of the tips at the bottom of the page in my "A Marathon Peaking Schedule" and that it would be good to make a page just for them.  Here they are:

Marathon Race Pace A couple of folks asked what's the best way to determine their optimal MRP.  Use the  WAVA% Calculator  

Race Pace Fixing Do a fair bit of running at exactly your intended marathon race pace [MRP] to "fix" it in your central governor. The goal is to teach your brain that this is your natural pace and is very comfortable.  Keep the distances relatively short; don't fatigue.  

Airport Run It's too short, about 22 miles, for properly training your "central governor" and it would be good to finish uphill like the marathons. So, at the W&OD and Sunrise Valley Drive intersection instead of continuing on the W&OD, turn left and go up Sunrise Valley to Reston Pkwy.  Turn right on Reston Pkwy to Sunset Hills for one block, then left a bit and pick up the W&OD.  Then finish back at the parking lot. This adds slightly less than 3 miles to the regular run.  

IMPORTANT:  Run at least 1 to 1 1/2 minutes SLOWER than your intended marathon race pace from the airport to Sunrise Valley Drive.  

At the W&OD and Sunrise Valley Drive intersection, turn left and run up Sunrise at your intended marathon race pace.  We've placed painted marks every half mile for pacing. Jog along the Reston Pkwy and around to the W&OD. Then on the W&OD put the hammer down and run the last mile back to the parking lot as if you are finishing your marathon with a PR.  

If you can't run up Sunrise at your intended race pace [MRP], then your intended pace is wrong and you'll never run your marathon at that pace considering you ran 1 minute slower for the first 21 miles.