It has been strange to cut down on my mileage this week. I understand the concept of tapering yet I feel like a part of me that I’ve grown to love is missing. As I’ve said before, running is my “happy place” where this Mommy can be alone with her thoughts, be unreachable, and return home refreshed. I think this is a clear sign I should continue to run after the marathon.
The forecast on race day is for sunny and 80 degrees. Though this is about 15 degrees warmer than I had hoped it is not insurmountable. I’ve been assured that all of our training in the extremely hot and humid weather this summer has conditioned me for a warmer run. So that is what I am telling myself every time I see a weather forecast.
The marathon is just 3 days away and the butterflies are still with me. As a participant I have received at least 2 marathon related emails every day this week, which has prevented me from forgetting about it. Also, my plantar fasciitis still doesn’t feel healed so that worries me. I’m stuck wearing either my running shoes or my Teva sandals as they feel the best on my feet.
It’s crunch time, knowing I can’t forget about the marathon until race day I have to face it head on. To help settle the butterflies I’ve combined several inspirational emails, advice from friends, and the “Runner’s Prayer” into a document that I read parts of when I get super nervous. After reading the document I say the Runner’s Prayer out loud, add in my own prayer, and am filled with what can best be described as peace and confidence. My new mantra is “I trained for this, I can do this, I am going to have fun.” I am not going to worry about my time. I am going to enjoy the experience, the crowds, and the journey. So far, this mentality is working, talk to me on Saturday. :-)
October 2, 2011 - One Week To Go!
The marathon is in exactly one week. Everytime I think about it (which is about 15 times each day) I get major butterflies in my stomach. Thanks to my running group I feel prepared (the wild card being my feet) but am still very nervous. Then, the dreams started. You know, the ones like when you were in school and couldn't find your locker, your classes, etc? Well I keep dreaming that I cannot find the starting line and when I do five miles into the run I realize I've forgotten my shoe tag so my race is unofficial. Crazy.
Today I ran for the last time with the girls. Ten miles, it felt really short, which is good. It was a sunny but chilly 43 degree morning so again I was uncertain what to wear. They say runners should dress as if the outside temperature is 20 degrees higher than it actually is, which would make it 63 and sunny. The t-shirt and shorts I selected were not adequate until mile 3, after that I was okay. Needless to say I will be nervously watching the Chicago weather all week.
My feet are still hurting after mile 6 so that is a major concern for me, I will have to do some special stretching and icing this week and play around with the shoe inserts as well. If push comes to shove I know I can gut it out, it just won't be a very pleasant experience.
I do feel amazingly blessed to have ended the run today with two very excited women. Katie and Rita were filled with last minute tips and advice which I absorbed like a sponge. I will be sure to text them from my ice bath after the marathon is over :-).
Today I ran for the last time with the girls. Ten miles, it felt really short, which is good. It was a sunny but chilly 43 degree morning so again I was uncertain what to wear. They say runners should dress as if the outside temperature is 20 degrees higher than it actually is, which would make it 63 and sunny. The t-shirt and shorts I selected were not adequate until mile 3, after that I was okay. Needless to say I will be nervously watching the Chicago weather all week.
My feet are still hurting after mile 6 so that is a major concern for me, I will have to do some special stretching and icing this week and play around with the shoe inserts as well. If push comes to shove I know I can gut it out, it just won't be a very pleasant experience.
I do feel amazingly blessed to have ended the run today with two very excited women. Katie and Rita were filled with last minute tips and advice which I absorbed like a sponge. I will be sure to text them from my ice bath after the marathon is over :-).
September 25, 2011 - What to Wear?
Today is the first week of my taper so it was my last "long" run with the girls (over 10 miles). Just two weeks to go!!! I ran 15 miles today, Rita did 20 then she starts her taper. It was a cold, misty, nasty morning and I was stumped on what to wear. It has taken me all summer to determine which outfit rubs the least, is the most comfortable, matches, etc. but this morning the weather was much too cold for just a tank top and shorts. So I took an old pair of Doug's tube socks, cut the toes out of them, and wore them on my arms hoping I would warm up during the run and be able to discard them.
Unfortunately around mile 10, just when I thought about peeling off the socks it started to rain. Now I had these thick cotton socks that were soaked on my arms running around town. One of us had short sleeves, and we were all in shorts. We must've been an unbelievable sight because in the last 2 miles an elderly woman rolled down her window and asked if we were cold.
Despite the weather the run went great except for my plantar fasciitis again. It started to hurt in both feet around mile 6 and was very painful by the time we finished at mile 15. I did buy new shoes and new shoe inserts this week so I am hoping I just didn't properly break them in yet.... It is quite a shame that everything else feels great (muscles, breathing, fuel belt) but my feet ache with every step. That will not make for a happy marathon finish. I will need to do some experimenting with shoes and inserts this week.
Unfortunately around mile 10, just when I thought about peeling off the socks it started to rain. Now I had these thick cotton socks that were soaked on my arms running around town. One of us had short sleeves, and we were all in shorts. We must've been an unbelievable sight because in the last 2 miles an elderly woman rolled down her window and asked if we were cold.
Despite the weather the run went great except for my plantar fasciitis again. It started to hurt in both feet around mile 6 and was very painful by the time we finished at mile 15. I did buy new shoes and new shoe inserts this week so I am hoping I just didn't properly break them in yet.... It is quite a shame that everything else feels great (muscles, breathing, fuel belt) but my feet ache with every step. That will not make for a happy marathon finish. I will need to do some experimenting with shoes and inserts this week.
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