I've been meaning to write a blog post all week, but I've been busy doing those things that one does during race week: eating, sleeping, watching Revenge, obsessing over the weather forecast, obsessing over the course and my race "plan" (i.e. don't die), eating carbs, sleeping, foam rolling, washing all my running clothes, eating & sleeping more, stretching and relaxing.
And now, the Philadelphia Marathon is only three days away! This both excites and frightens me. In a way, I'm so ready for this marathon, but in a way, I feel like there's so much unknown. The course, how I'll feel on race day, how I'll sleep the night before, how cold it'll be, whether I can stay focused for 26.2 miles...
After almost three weeks of tapering, my body is feeling really good. Except for those few weird and suspicious "pains" that have appeared in the last few days, but don't hurt while running. I figure they're just trying to get me to freak out during tapering, but really, I've been loving the last three weeks of lower mileage! It's exactly what my body needed after a long training cycle. It has given me a chance to really visualize race day, think about my goals and most importantly, give my body a break so I can come back feeling stronger and ready to go.
This morning, I had 4 miles on the schedule with two mile repeats at 6:47. My times ended up being:
6:37
6:41
For once, these mile repeats felt almost easy! If I wasn't three days out from my first marathon, I would have added more on! It's such a great feeling to see real results in both your training and your tapering. Rather than leaving me feeling like I'm not doing enough during taper week(s) (like I've felt during half marathon tapering), today left me feeling fast, rested and ready to race. I have three easy miles tomorrow, and then the race on Sunday!
I know the marathon won't be easy, and I know there will be times when I want to give up, but my mind knows (at least now, while I'm sitting on my couch....) that I can push through it and finish strong.
Regardless of how fast or slow I run, I just want to enjoy myself for 26.2 miles. I want to feel the energy from the crowd, take in the views along the course, smile, and be super proud of myself when I cross that finish line.
Marathon #1, here I come!
Go Fast. Take Chances.
Are you running the Philly marathon? Will you be out there cheering? If you've run it before, what's the best piece of advice you could give someone? If you've run any other marathon, what advice would you give a first time marathoner?!
And now, the Philadelphia Marathon is only three days away! This both excites and frightens me. In a way, I'm so ready for this marathon, but in a way, I feel like there's so much unknown. The course, how I'll feel on race day, how I'll sleep the night before, how cold it'll be, whether I can stay focused for 26.2 miles...
After almost three weeks of tapering, my body is feeling really good. Except for those few weird and suspicious "pains" that have appeared in the last few days, but don't hurt while running. I figure they're just trying to get me to freak out during tapering, but really, I've been loving the last three weeks of lower mileage! It's exactly what my body needed after a long training cycle. It has given me a chance to really visualize race day, think about my goals and most importantly, give my body a break so I can come back feeling stronger and ready to go.
This morning, I had 4 miles on the schedule with two mile repeats at 6:47. My times ended up being:
6:37
6:41
For once, these mile repeats felt almost easy! If I wasn't three days out from my first marathon, I would have added more on! It's such a great feeling to see real results in both your training and your tapering. Rather than leaving me feeling like I'm not doing enough during taper week(s) (like I've felt during half marathon tapering), today left me feeling fast, rested and ready to race. I have three easy miles tomorrow, and then the race on Sunday!
I know the marathon won't be easy, and I know there will be times when I want to give up, but my mind knows (at least now, while I'm sitting on my couch....) that I can push through it and finish strong.
Regardless of how fast or slow I run, I just want to enjoy myself for 26.2 miles. I want to feel the energy from the crowd, take in the views along the course, smile, and be super proud of myself when I cross that finish line.
Marathon #1, here I come!
Go Fast. Take Chances.
Are you running the Philly marathon? Will you be out there cheering? If you've run it before, what's the best piece of advice you could give someone? If you've run any other marathon, what advice would you give a first time marathoner?!
Have a great race! I'll be cheering for you virtually!
ReplyDeleteMy advice would be: don't start too fast, never give up, and find a person or group to pace with for at least some of the race! Have fun!
We ran Philly Marathon together in 2008.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good course and the crowd support is awesome.
The slower 1/2 will #TweetAndRun her 3rd Philly Marathon to support Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer.
Our marathon mantra: "Each Miles's a Gift, Negative Splits"
Have a great race! I've never run a marathon, but I've heard great things about the Philly course; everyone seems to love it. Your mile repeats are so speedy--you are totally ready for this 26.2. :)
ReplyDeleteYou sound really ready! Enjoy your first marathon. All the Oiselle ladies will be cheering for you from all over the country.
ReplyDeleteHugs! Nicole (@nmh1970)
You are going to do so awesome! And Philly is a great marathon. It was my first marathon, so I feel ill-equipped to give advice because I did not train properly (i.e. at all really) for it. BUT I would say run without music. The fans are great on this course, in my opinion. Also, DO take a cup of beer at/around mile 21 when they're offering it, and if they are still giving out homemade brownies in Manayunk, they are delicious. Actually I didn't eat one but my husband raved about them for days :) RUN FREE RUN FAST!!! I'll be with ya for the half!
ReplyDelete