I am going through the anxiety just letting it flow. I woke up last night at 3am after several marathon dreams/nightmares. One where I missed the start because I was still in CA time and became confused about the time change. The other I forgot my gels and had no water or nutrition. As I sit here and chat with my best friend in St Louis watching NYC marathon videos, I am feeling more inspired. This will be the biggest party ever in the best city ever. I have my gels, more than enough! I bought some arm warmers. Just need the thrift store items and words of encouragement.
http://inmotion.magnumphotos.com/essay/marathon07?lg=popup
above is a neat photo journal of a marathon runner's experience.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
9 days?
Really? That's what the NY marathon emails I receive said today. Tapering has been nice. I still worry but am letting go of that. I guess it's all normal.
Now it's down to the final planning--
Now it's down to the final planning--
- Download music for my mp3-I have a list
- Get some thick, warm clothes at the thrift store that I can donate on the race. We will spend about 3 hours on Staten Island freezing before the race starts.
- Get more Powergel (strawberry/banana)
- Put rubberbands on my running belt for gels and try it
- Pack bag of warm clothes for after race party
- Fundraise!
- Email supporters with an update
- Laminate little words of support received from friends and family and picture of my kids-making something I can read/see when I hit mile 15
- Hydrate
- Carbo load
- stretch
Thursday, October 16, 2008
17 days (the confidence is waning)
until I run 26.2 miles with 39,000 of my closest friends. I ran 24 miles 2 weeks ago. I was thrilled. I didn't think I could do it but I did. Since then I have been recovering. It has been longer and more challenging than I had anticipated. I thought I could throw down another 20 miler 2 weeks later but no way. Each day is getting easier. I am doing some myofascial release work to get move more water to my muscles. I am in taper weeks. I run about 5 miles every day to every other day. I am hoping to do something a little longer. It's hard because I am so anxious. I am so afraid I cant do the race. What if I lose my conditioning? I lost about a week after that long run due to severe pain in my lower leg and overall muscle fatigue. It was supposed to be my last high milage week before taper. So my confidence is low. 5 mile runs feel hard. How will 26.2 feel? I'll do it htough. I always do.
Below is my expericne running the 24...
My plan was 22 miles but if I did 4 full laps around it would be 24, so why
not? I was beginning to feel doubt at my ability to do this marathon. 20
was hard, how could I do 6 more? Well I could. I could do as many more
as I needed. The first 6 were challenging. Once I was settled the next 6
were quite fun. I enjoyed seeing many runners and bikers in the park,
rain and all. These were the marathon runners doing exactly what I was
doing. It was inspiring and intimidating. The 3rd set of 6..well another
story. I have learned that I hit the wall at about mile 15 since I
started running over 15 miles. That day 15.5. I just couldn’t do it. I
walked up a hill, sat on a rock and cried my eyes out. I needed
something, some sort of inspiration. Some divine intervention because
there was nothing left inside. Why was I doing this? I’d like o say I
thought of the children at the camp but I didn’t. I was so beat up I
could barely think just feel. I cried and cried until nothing was left.
I took a deep breath and just started running. I felt a huge release and
I was ready to go.
It was my final 6 miles. And that went by fast. I was the most
determined I had been in a long time. I have not felt this strong for
months. I was going to do it. I was NOT going to stop. Mile 19—the
spot where most runners hit the wall. I was happy and cruising. I was
past my wall. I was listening to music singing along. The rain was
coming down and it felt great. I love this park! Mile 20..only 4 more,
not even a 10K. mile 22, I’m doing it. Holy cow I AM doing it! I only
have 2 more then I am done. 23 and the last mile is uphill, one of the
hardest and longest in the park. I do it, no problem. It’s tiring, my
legs are slowing down but I tell myself to keep going. Just keep
running….just keep running… and there it is. 24.00 miles.
I stop.
I did it!
I hurt…oh my gosh do I hurt. I think I need to run more because it
hurts too much to walk or stop. Pacing back and forth trying to figure
out what to do with these pulverized legs of mine. How about a drink,
fig bar or a gel or something? I stumble to the park bench and sit for a
few minutes. Sitting feels good but not for long. Then I remember that I
must stretch no matter what or I will never make it home. I stretch, eat
and hobble to my car.
I did it.
I ran 24 miles.
I will finish this marathon no problem.
Below is my expericne running the 24...
My plan was 22 miles but if I did 4 full laps around it would be 24, so why
not? I was beginning to feel doubt at my ability to do this marathon. 20
was hard, how could I do 6 more? Well I could. I could do as many more
as I needed. The first 6 were challenging. Once I was settled the next 6
were quite fun. I enjoyed seeing many runners and bikers in the park,
rain and all. These were the marathon runners doing exactly what I was
doing. It was inspiring and intimidating. The 3rd set of 6..well another
story. I have learned that I hit the wall at about mile 15 since I
started running over 15 miles. That day 15.5. I just couldn’t do it. I
walked up a hill, sat on a rock and cried my eyes out. I needed
something, some sort of inspiration. Some divine intervention because
there was nothing left inside. Why was I doing this? I’d like o say I
thought of the children at the camp but I didn’t. I was so beat up I
could barely think just feel. I cried and cried until nothing was left.
I took a deep breath and just started running. I felt a huge release and
I was ready to go.
It was my final 6 miles. And that went by fast. I was the most
determined I had been in a long time. I have not felt this strong for
months. I was going to do it. I was NOT going to stop. Mile 19—the
spot where most runners hit the wall. I was happy and cruising. I was
past my wall. I was listening to music singing along. The rain was
coming down and it felt great. I love this park! Mile 20..only 4 more,
not even a 10K. mile 22, I’m doing it. Holy cow I AM doing it! I only
have 2 more then I am done. 23 and the last mile is uphill, one of the
hardest and longest in the park. I do it, no problem. It’s tiring, my
legs are slowing down but I tell myself to keep going. Just keep
running….just keep running… and there it is. 24.00 miles.
I stop.
I did it!
I hurt…oh my gosh do I hurt. I think I need to run more because it
hurts too much to walk or stop. Pacing back and forth trying to figure
out what to do with these pulverized legs of mine. How about a drink,
fig bar or a gel or something? I stumble to the park bench and sit for a
few minutes. Sitting feels good but not for long. Then I remember that I
must stretch no matter what or I will never make it home. I stretch, eat
and hobble to my car.
I did it.
I ran 24 miles.
I will finish this marathon no problem.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
24 days until the NYC Marathon
And I am feeling this little panic deep inside.
I have my wave start time, my number and should be receiving my card in the mail next week.
Yikes.
I have my wave start time, my number and should be receiving my card in the mail next week.
Yikes.
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