1. We (J, the girls, and I) are leaving for the marathon today. Indianapolis is just shy of 11 hours from here, so we have one heck of a road trip ahead of us. The plan is to drive to Kentucky tonight and finish the rest of our journey in the morning. Hopefully, that keeps us from going INSANE in the car (both from the girl's screaming/fighting/whatever and the replay of DVDs we have seen a MILLION times). It's going to be a preview of the mental test of the marathon. Only, I won't be able to escape. Oh, and it's raining right now. Like huge a** thunderstorms. And we have to drive over little mountain roads. Fun.
2. Goals. Everyone keeps asking me what my goal time is for this race. But, honestly, my BIG goal for this race is not my time. What I really want to do is FOLLOW THE RACE PLAN. I almost always have a plan going into a race and I almost NEVER follow it. I need to follow the plan. I need to know I can follow the plan, so that next time (yes, I said next time) I can go for the UBER-GOAL.
That's not to say that I don't have a time I would like to hit. I do. It's anything faster than 5:06:38, my current PR. And I know that if I follow my race plan, I am going to kill that time. By a lot.
And speaking of my finish time. If you have a guess on it, you could win a prize. Head over to THIS post and see what I am talking about.
3. G and I were talking the other day about how you are either a marathon person or you're not. Some runners never have the desire to run 26.2 and others race the distance once and can be done with it. Then, there are the rest of us. We go back to the distance over and over (even if we swear we never will again). There is something that draws us in (for me, it's the bragging rights).
After my first two marathon training cycles, I swore I was never going to look at another marathon registration form again. I was done. My body couldn't handle it. Peace out.
But what I know now is that I wasn't properly trained for the event. I built my mileage too fast. I ran too fast during training. And I ended up injured. This time, things were different. My mileage base was larger than it had ever been BEFORE I registered for the race (even compared to other marathon training cycles). I knew that my body could handle it. And that what I needed to tackle was the mental challenge of the race. And I think I am well prepared for that. So much so, that I have already registered for the next one (National Marathon - 3/26/11, if you're interested). And a 50K is on the calendar for the end of 2011.
Seriously, who have I become?
49 comments:
A 50k? Wow! That's ambitious and I'm sure you'll do great. Can't wait to read about your marathon experience. Good luck!
Good luck! Have a safe trip and run well at the marathon!
have a great race and I hope you survive the road trip (ha ha)! You are right... There are those people who can just check it off the list. I am not one of them either. For me, I feel the need to do better than I did last time or some distance that is further than the last. Can't wait to see your race report :)
You are going to crush that marathon! Good luck!
P.S. Mel sent me. :-)
Have a great race! Both of the races on your calendar for next year look amazing!
Have a great race T! You are going to rock it!
That DC marathon looks so fun!
I'm in northern Indiana, but I'll be going up to Grand Rapids this weekend for a marathon. Have fun in Indianapolis! I hope you have a great race!
Best of luck this weekend. Indy is a GREAT city - you'll do very well. Can't wait to hear your finishing time and celebrate the PR crushing that will come along with it! Safe travels! Welcome to the Hoosier state!
Best of luck!
Praying for your journey to and during the marathon!
Bob - my running partner... used to be a helicopter pilot - flew in Vietnam... he says he had to ALWAYS plot a course before each mission and had to take into account that some things may happen. His motto is: Plan the run, run the plan!
I know it is a lot harder than it sounds... but babe, IMAGINE the possibilities if you do!!!!
Best of luck this weekend! Hope that road trip goes well and very exciting that you have your next few planned. Everyone seems to be signing up for the National Marathon...hmmm...
I can't decide which is more ambitious - the 50k or an 11 hour car trip with the whole family ;)
Good luck to you! Follow the plan!
Have a good trip and good luck this weekend!
Yay on ultramarathons! :)
I'd love to hear when you re-cap what your actual plan is... I never "plan" generally and was talking yesterday to someone who does down to every detail. Maybe I'm too inexperienced to even know what to plan! Anyhow, would love to hear plan and then vs. actual post-race. Drive safely, I know those roads you'll be heading through, so stay safe!
oh my word, I love it. I love that you are registered already for another one!! oh, the sickness!! Good luck! have a great race!!
My husband, the marathon runner, always after every one of them says he'll never to it again. Within a week he's ready to sign up again. I don't want to "go all the way"! So excited for you and to read your report. Good luck in the car for 11 hours--that is the crazy part of this!
Can't wait to hear about how you've killed your current PR!!!
PS - Good luck on the car trip!
You are going to kill this weekend! I cannot WAIT to hear about it!
I'm sure you've posted on it before but not since I've been around... I'd like to hear about your previous marathon training and injuries sometime.
Good luck -- though I don't think you're going to need it! You're going to crush your PR without a doubt!
Safe travels!!
Good luck! You will do awesome!
Good luck this weekend!!
Following the plan is a GREAT goal. You have put in the work... it will all come together this weekend. Can't wait to hear all about it!!! WOOHOO for a marathon AND ultra already on deck for next year. ROCKSTAR!
You're awesome!! Just finished my cup of coffee and you're probably on the road by now...
Good luck! Screaming for you from WA! GO TMB GO!!!
Safe travels!!!! I will be thinking about you this weekend!!!! You are going to do great!!!
Have a blast and you are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
going to KILL your 5:06:38.
You've put in the time and effort - now it's time to enjoy the experience. And a killer PR.
I'm one of those "could never see myself doing a marathon," but the more I hear about them the more I'm being sucked in. Now we're looking at 2012 Robin Hood marathon in Nottinghamshire. ;-)
That's easy, a crazy person!
Good luck this weekend!! Especially with the traveling! You're going to rock that race! :D
You are going to breeze through these 26 miles. And this time you are going to get to enjoy them! How's that for a win win!
Oh and who are you trying to impress with a 50k? It's only 6 more miles. ;-) heeheehee I've already stalked the race. I still think you could do Sceneca in March- easypeasey! It would be sooo fun!
A 50k?! You are awesome.
And National Marathon?! I will definitely be there! Either racing or cheering.
GOOD LUCK. I can not wait to hear about how well you do. You are going to positively slaughter that PR!
I think you need more luck for the road trip :D
YOU'RE GOING TO BE AWESOME!!
Best of luck! You're going to do awesome... good luck with the road trip! :)
Yay for race plans! I'll be aiming to follow mine on Sunday. Good luck. You're going to kill it!
love that you have already registered for more races!! i would agree i get more nervous for a 5k than a longer race...i like distance better
good luck!!!!
Good luck on your race! I hope you have a great time - it's awesome that your whole family will be there to support you. :)
ps - Tall Mom reminded me to come over (and, yes, I do get an extra entry 'cause I really want one of your bands)...
Good luck! I'll be sending good vibes while I'm out running in the desert.
Good Luck!!
Ugh, not the be the discouraging type, but the National Half is one of the worse races DC has to offer. All the friends I know that have run it, will never do it again (even the ones that ran the half).
If you have not run the Marine Corps, come back next year to DC and do that one -- it's a much more picturesque course, one that doesn't bring you into Anacostia (the part of DC all of us avoid so we won't get shot).
(I meant the National Marathon, not the Half -- they're both the same day, and both have crappy courses though)
T, you are awesome!!! Good luck this weekend. I know you will rock it.
I want to run the National Half so bad. I'd love to come back there and do it.
As long as I can still move I have an ultra planned for 2011 too :)
I am totally one of those people that keeps coming back to it. Before my last marathon I said I was done (at least until my girls are much older). Now I'm already planning my next one.
Good luck and have fun! You will do awesome.
IF I knew I'd be healthy I would register for that marathon! Maybe in 2012. Good luck both on the ride over and at the marathon! You will rock it. Totally can't wait to hear about it!
BTW my Brooks jacket came and it is wonderful! Thanks so much!
Good luck girlie! You're going to smash that PR!
And a 50K - you are my new hero ;)
Be sure to update your FB status Sunday, I will be anxiously awaiting!!
Good luck with the road trip! I hope it goes well!
Good luck in your marathon too! I think that's an awesome goal! Because I'm doing my first marathon on Sunday I don't really have a time goal. I just want to finish happy.
good luck with the car trip and the race! hope both rock!
Good luck!
I saw a shirt the other day that said - Marathon Mama - 26.2 miles of peace and quiet.
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