Last Thoughts Before Grandma’s

The big day is almost here! Yesterday morning I did my last training run before the marathon. It is a lot warmer in Minnesota, so I was quite sweaty when I returned. . . .but I liked it!! I didn’t know how much I enjoyed the heat until it was gone.

Sorry about the lack of posts and pictures. My parent’s Internet is far too slow for me to upload pictures without losing my mind. (And Craig and I thought our Internet was slow!!)

Right now, I feel quite confident going into the race. After doing a handful of races, I’ve learned things that help me to feel more prepared for the race and relieve some of the pre-race jitters. The following are just a few of the different things that have helped me feel prepared for this marathon.

– I have done two 20 mile runs and one 22 mile run–getting over the 20 mile mark was important to me. These definitely boosted my confidence that 26.2 miles is possible.

– During my long runs, I practiced refueling while still running. I made sure my body could handle the consumption of “food” (GU) while still running. Craig would also hand me Dixie cups filled with water, and I would practice taking them from his hand and drinking them on the run. (Pinching the cup is the best method!) I am just sad he won’t be able to do that for me during the race.

– Unfortunately I have not  run the course, which would be ideal, but I have looked at maps and know what the terrain is like, where the hills are, and where the aid stations are.

– I know which pair of shoes, socks, shorts, top, and underwear (yes, even underwear–my mom was surprised by this) I am going to wear on race day. I have worn these things on long run and know they are comfortable and won’t cause me to chaff.

– I also know what my stomach can tolerate (and what it can’t) the night before and the morning of. The morning of, I like a bowl of cold cereal with milk, a banana, and half of a bagel with peanut butter on. (I don’t feel as good after eating pancakes or oatmeal.)

Finally, I wanted to list what my goals are for this race. This is my first marathon, so I know I shouldn’t have too high of expectations, but I am an overachiever and very competative. (If you ever see me racing, I rarely smile because I don’t want to get out of my zone.)

Goals:

– Not to stop and/or walk during the race.

– I definitely want to finish in under 4 hours, and if everything goes well, I should be able to.

– I would really like to qualify for Boston, which is a time of 3:40 for me.

– And if everything goes really well, I would like to finish around 3:30. That’s about an 8 minute mile average pace.

– Other than that, I hope to enjoy it as much as possible!! (I am just sad my husband won’t be able to be there and watch me or see me finish. He’s been such a help on my long runs–biking beside me, encouraging me, and handing me water and GU when I needed it.)

This morning my mom and I head up to Duluth in hopes of avoiding traffic and so I can watch my idol, Kara Goucher, speak!! And then the big day will be here before I know it!!

I plan to take lots of pictures and do a pretty lengthy post about the weekend, so be looking for that early next week. Hopefully my sister’s Internet connection will be faster.