Smooth Sailing From Here

At this point I've done all that I can to prepare for this race. Yesterday I finished my last long run until I face 26.2 miles a week from now. I've been tapering for a couple weeks now - running 15 and then 8 (yesterday) after my 22-miler in Indiana. This week will be an extremely easy week - making sure I am 100% recovered and ready-to-go on Sunday.

I didn't feel like I was running fast during my 8-mile run but surprisingly I averaged an 8:13 pace. North Carolina is perfect. A 76-degree day - at some points overcast and others sunny - made for a beautiful fall Halloween, and a great running day. I know I've complained about the hilly routes that are inevitable in Raleigh but I'm noticing that they are phasing me less and less as I continue to face them. I came across many hills yesterday - more than usual I would say - and I wasn't so worried about avoiding them. They were just part of the run. Of course that happens at the end of my training but I'm hoping that will work in my favor in OBX. Reviews say that course is mainly flat with a steep and long hill going over the bridge into Manteo at mile 22 or 23. If I've learned to conquer unforgiving hills then a flat terrain will be cake! Or at least that's what I'm hoping.

Anyway - I've been consumed in the OBX Marathon Web site. They don't really post anything new but I check every day just in case. I think I'm just getting eager to get this thing started! Many of the reviews online are very contradicting to one another. Some will say it's not a course for a PR, and some will say this is the perfect course to get your best time. Maybe it all just depends on the weather, which seems to be a common theme. One review from a couple years ago said at the start it was drizzling and overcast, then it got sunny, then it down-poured, then it was overcast and windy and they finished with the sun. Everything but snow pretty much! Apparently the racers last year got lucky with gorgeous weather. Weather.com says cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain for Sunday. I just hope the wind off the ocean isn't overbearing. I'll have to be strategic when packing and will probably have to go out and buy some "throw away" clothes. Clothes I can toss if it gets too hot or what have you. It's easier to shed then it is to steal the rain jacket from the guy next to you. You would have to pray that you are faster than him!

I'll post this week's very easy training schedule on the side. Today I'm resting - maybe I'll do a core workout and stretch. I'm also tracking a co-worker in the New York Marathon, which is getting me motivated for next weekend! It's football sunday (Go Eagles!) and game 4 of the World Series (Go Yanks!) so I don't want to do much else besides watch some sports and relax. :-)

Thanks again for all your support!! Now the countdown REALLY begins!! 7 days!