Sunday will mark my 6th marathon. I am excited to run the Kenai River Marathon—I think the most excited I’ve been for a marathon thus far. My training has gone very well, which definitely boosts my confidence, and I am hoping to achieve some goals that I’ve been working hard for this spring and summer.
My goals for the race:
Bronze-standard goal
Finish the marathon and don’t run my slowest race ever. This is always my goal for the marathon because it is such a long race that so much can happen in the 3+ hours of running. I honestly do want to enjoy the race and remember the experience as a positive one.
Silver-standard goal
A time of 3:30 with minimal walking. I think I could qualify for Boston 2015 at this race??
Gold-standard goal
A PR with no walking. There has only been one marathon I haven’t stopped to walk during. I don’t think I would have had to stop at Grandma’s Marathon in 2012 if I hadn’t had to use the bathroom so badly.
My ultimate goal: I would love to get 3:15 or even break 3:15 with no walking.
I have been feeling really good during my taper and really haven’t anything go wrong during the last three weeks. I haven’t had any odd aches or pains randomly show up, which often happens during my tapers, and I have been feeling really good.
But I’m overly critical and always find a way to think about all the reasons I am not ready for this marathon:
“It has been forever since I’ve done a long run.”
“I feel SO tired and out of shape.” (My thought this morning during a 3 miler! Totally mental.)
“I feel like I’ve gained 5 pounds this week because I’ve hardly done any mileage.”
“It is going to be cold, and my muscles do well in the cold.” (Which is a pretty legitimate and true.)
The overnight low on Saturday is predicted to be 38*F, which probably will be about the temperature when the race starts at 9 a.m. My muscles get really stiff when it is cold, and I am worried they won’t function that well. I did run the Twin Cities Marathon last year where it was 30*F at the start, but the sun was out which helped–although it was still cold the entire race. I’m hoping it quickly warms up on Sunday, and my leg muscles aren’t too stiff and cold.
Overall I’m really excited and can’t wait to see how it goes!
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Oh, and on Tuesday this past week, this happened!
Fortunately it did melt later that day but still!
I’m a new reader of your blog and find you quite inspiring!! Good luck for your race! I’m sure you will smash it!!
Yippee! Just saw the KM results. You won!!!! That is too cool. You totally deserve it; you’ve worked so hard. Big, big congrats, and can’t wait to read the race report.
Thank you!
Congrats!!!!! I just saw you won:0) when you said you PR, you left off the very important fact of 1st place!! Amazing time, all your training paid dividends! :0)
Thank you!! It was so great meeting you in person. I’m so glad you introduced yourself!! I am from the Midwest, I have to downplay everything. My husband says I need to work on my bragging skills.
You do, what you did few can do! Woot woot you won!!! I am proud of you! All the hard work and consistency, you are an inspiration! Go Michelle!
I actually PR’d and didn’t know it until mid day yesterday, no wonder the last few miles I felt like poo. I was pushing 5 minutes faster. I am still smiling!!!! If you ever want to join us for a trail run let me know! I promise it is full of adventure and you get to see the part of Anchorage I love! Tonight is Tuesday night trail run series and then the girls and I run a long one on Saturday:0)
As soon as I can physically run again and my soreness goes away, I will definitely take you up on the offer!
You came in first? Wow! Truly amazing. You must have qualified for Boston.
How many people ran the race?
Thanks! Yes, I did qualify for Boston. I’m hoping the date qualifies me for 2015 since 2014 is already full. Umm. . .not that many–only 53, so I don’t feel as though I can brag too much about my 1st place finish.
Well you ran well enough to qualify for Boston, so brag away!