Thursday, February 27, 2014

Go Time - Napa Valley Marathon

This is officially the worlds longest week and I think it has something to do with the fact that I am running a marathon on Sunday.  It's no big deal, it's just another run.  At least that's what it looks like to an outsider this week.  Besides obsessive hydrating and a painful sports massage (that had me in tears and begging for mercy), I've done absolutely nothing as far as preparation  goes.  Each day I am thinking about the race but my stream of consciousness reads something like this:

Wow it's Wednesday I should probably start changing my eating habits for the race...is that an open bag of oreos...oh well that's what taper is for right...I wonder what my pace has to be to run a sub 4:30...I should probably look that up...what am I am going to do with no music...when does packet pickup end on Sat...I should probably look that up....marathons are too far, that last bit is going to suck....look at me drinking water and taking vitamins....yes I would like to go to In-N-Out with you for lunch...hope my knee holds up...that massage was so painful...is it good to get a massage like that so close to race day....I probably should have looked that up....where should we stay Sat night....maybe Sonoma at Grandmas...I should probably call her....god I hope I run a sub 4:30....what should I wear...maybe I should check the weather...I bet we have to be on the shuttle really early...I should probably look that up.

You get the idea.  For a type-A planner on most things, races seem to bring out the type-Z in me.  Yet my best races have been the ones I don't think about at all over think so you gotta stick with what works.

I have been foam rolling daily and hydrating like a pro.  Today through race day is no booze and an attempt at healthy carbs and proteins.  Lunch was a great start.  The chocolate chip cookie it came with was not.

Dino kale salad w/tofu from The Plant. My favorite $14 salad out there.
Taper week really does make you feel off.  I am tired, starving and antsy which are all signs of a good taper.  I had planned on a few more workouts this week but after an awesome 7 mile #runch on Monday with the SweatGuru team my knee felt a little off.  I immediately scheduled a massage for Tuesday night and although it feels way better I thought it best not to push it.  I am going to do an EASY 4 miler on the treadmill tonight and then call it good.  Stretching - rolling - hydrating - walking will be my mantra for the next 48 hours.

This will be my third marathon overall.  My last one was in 2010, in the pouring rain and I managed a 4:38 (35 min faster than my 1st marathon).   I am a much better runner now so that 8 min doesn't seem like it should be that tough but in my pledge to respect the distance, I know I it will be.  It's a marathon and they are hard but I am ready to run a smart race and enjoy the miles.  As long as I can contain my speed for the first few miles and keep a consistent pace, I don't see any reason I shouldn't be able to accomplish my goal. I just have to remember to breathe and maybe check to see what time I should be on the shuttle.  See you on the other side - with a glass of wine in hand.


3 comments:

  1. You're going to do great!! See you this weekend!

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  2. I am so excited for you!!! I saw Michele last night and she will be there!! Maybe you will run into her!! Keep the pace slow...don't get crazy at the beginning...you are going to crush it!! Have an awesome race!!!

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  3. Have fun! I'm sure that you'll do great! And enjoy the scenery!

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