Pre Race Thoughts
Today is Wednesday. The race is this Saturday, and the nerves are already here. After a few weeks of feeling absolutely crappy (which I suppose is how I should feel during a taper) I am feeling rested and ready to go. I have my marathon "outfit" picked out, and my gel belt came in the mail today. I am actually wearing it right now (yes, I'm a dork).
Although I feel calm right now I thought I would share some of the obsessive thoughts I've been having this past week:
Should I be eating this? I have been trying to be more careful about what I am eating this week, and the carb loading started Monday. Gary made pasta with vegetables and dished me out an enormous serving. I looked at him and said, "I can't eat all that!" He replied, "You're going to eat all that", and I did. It really wasn't that hard to do. Yesterday was 2 bowls of cereal, pasta, fruit, chips (oops), yogurt, dried cranberries, edamame, a bite of catfish, and quinoa (what?? It's the seed of a leafy plant that is a distant cousin to spinach. Carbs with a little protein. Honest, it's good). Today I actually turned down McDonald's breakfast. I must be obsessing! Instead I had 2 bowls of cereal, pasta, dried papaya, pretzles, dried cranberries, brown rice with vegetables and shrimp, and 3 pieces of dark chocolate (sometimes I just need it). I think I am doing pretty well...besides the chips pretty great actually. It's amazing how improving your diet can make you feel so much better physically.
What will the weather be like? I am constantly checking weather.com. Right now it says high 65 and isolated thunderstorms. Hopefully the storms come later in the day. A high of 65 sounds nice, though. I am trying to tell myself that I am just checking the weather for my curiosity, but I would be lying if I said the heat didn't worry me. These past few days I have been trying to put more positive thoughts into my head and not worry about things I cannot control, like the weather. Whatever the weather will be I will not be deterred. Unless it is called off due to the conditions I will remain positive and excited to run.
How fast am I going to run? I am a VDOT, and pace calculator spaz. I am constantly trying to figure out how fast I am going to run this marathon. I would like to do well, but I also need to remember that I run because I enjoy it. I know if I am obsessing about my time during the race and feel like crap I will not enjoy it. 26.2 miles is a long distance when you feel good, but I can't imagine how long it will seem if I am feeling miserable. Also, this is my first road marathon, so any time will be a good time. The plan for me is to enjoy the company and the race, and if I happen to do well then all the better. I am very fortunate to have Lynn as my running partner during the race, and I know I always have a good time when we run together.
As I was running with Hayley, Tracy, Ernie, and Kelty this morning I had none of these obsessive thoughts, and I simply enjoyed my feet hitting the pavement, the cool dark air, and the company of some wonderful people (and pet). Hopefully that feeling will carry on to the race on Saturday.
Although I feel calm right now I thought I would share some of the obsessive thoughts I've been having this past week:
Should I be eating this? I have been trying to be more careful about what I am eating this week, and the carb loading started Monday. Gary made pasta with vegetables and dished me out an enormous serving. I looked at him and said, "I can't eat all that!" He replied, "You're going to eat all that", and I did. It really wasn't that hard to do. Yesterday was 2 bowls of cereal, pasta, fruit, chips (oops), yogurt, dried cranberries, edamame, a bite of catfish, and quinoa (what?? It's the seed of a leafy plant that is a distant cousin to spinach. Carbs with a little protein. Honest, it's good). Today I actually turned down McDonald's breakfast. I must be obsessing! Instead I had 2 bowls of cereal, pasta, dried papaya, pretzles, dried cranberries, brown rice with vegetables and shrimp, and 3 pieces of dark chocolate (sometimes I just need it). I think I am doing pretty well...besides the chips pretty great actually. It's amazing how improving your diet can make you feel so much better physically.
What will the weather be like? I am constantly checking weather.com. Right now it says high 65 and isolated thunderstorms. Hopefully the storms come later in the day. A high of 65 sounds nice, though. I am trying to tell myself that I am just checking the weather for my curiosity, but I would be lying if I said the heat didn't worry me. These past few days I have been trying to put more positive thoughts into my head and not worry about things I cannot control, like the weather. Whatever the weather will be I will not be deterred. Unless it is called off due to the conditions I will remain positive and excited to run.
How fast am I going to run? I am a VDOT, and pace calculator spaz. I am constantly trying to figure out how fast I am going to run this marathon. I would like to do well, but I also need to remember that I run because I enjoy it. I know if I am obsessing about my time during the race and feel like crap I will not enjoy it. 26.2 miles is a long distance when you feel good, but I can't imagine how long it will seem if I am feeling miserable. Also, this is my first road marathon, so any time will be a good time. The plan for me is to enjoy the company and the race, and if I happen to do well then all the better. I am very fortunate to have Lynn as my running partner during the race, and I know I always have a good time when we run together.
As I was running with Hayley, Tracy, Ernie, and Kelty this morning I had none of these obsessive thoughts, and I simply enjoyed my feet hitting the pavement, the cool dark air, and the company of some wonderful people (and pet). Hopefully that feeling will carry on to the race on Saturday.
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