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!

Thanks for the Support!

My blog has over 1,000 views! Thank you so much for all the support throughout my marathon training!

I ran six tonight - a very forced six. After three days off I knew I had to run today but I was in one of those impatient moods. The weather was beautiful for an evening running, I had some new music to listen to and I had nowhere else to be but on the road ... but like I said I was impatient and couldn't finish fast enough. Fifty-one minutes later I got back to my apartment so I did it, I survived and I'm glad I pushed through. I almost stopped at four - convincing myself all the way up until I got to four that it wouldn't ruin my training. When I finally hit four miles I squeezed two more out of me. I felt alright, a little heavy maybe, but I think I'm experiencing some bloating so I'll chalk it up to that. It couldn't have been the M&M bag I couldn't keep my hands out of during work. :-)

With three weeks left I'm going to really concentrate on drinking lots and lots of water and eating much better than I have the past couple weeks. Chris and I have been on the road so much and it's always so difficult to find a way to be healthy when you're not at home.

Tomorrow I hope to run four to five miles or so - I'd do more if I was feeling up to it. Then I'll take Thursday off since I'm doing my long run on Friday.

It's going to be a short one tonight. I'm staying up until the end of the Yankees game and then getting to bed. Exhausted is a huge understatement ... at least tomorrow is hump day. Again - I really appreciate the company during my training and love that so many people have read my blog. Thanks a million!!

COUNTDOWN TO OBX FULL - 19 DAYS!!!!!

Long Run = Success ... Now Give Me a Beer

I'm excited to write about my long run today but I don't have a whole lot of energy left in me so this might be a short one. Knocked out 12.25 miles and felt absolutely great. My breathing was awesome and I hardly felt fatigued; however my legs started talking about halfway through and were screaming by the end of the run. I just figure that's just how it's going to be. I'm sure there are few and far between who can run long distances without those aches and pains. I also think that's a sign of worn down shoes, so I'm looking forward to getting mine in the mail this next week. They're much needed!

Again, pace has been a tough battle for me ... slowing it down, that is. Today I averaged a 9.29 pace, which shows a lot of discipline on my end. Apparently you are supposed to slow up your long run pace two minutes or so per mile. I don't think I want to slow it down any more than I have, but it's also good to know that I'm slightly ahead of where I need to be. Hopefully with the adrenaline on race morning I will surprise myself with a four hour jolt of energy and speed! :-)

Around the 7.5 mile mark, I tried a cranberry apple GU Chomp. I loved it! It's basically a fruity gummy and who doesn't like gummies! :-) Mentally that may have given me an extra something but I don't know how much I gained from it.

My sister, Marley, and my brother-in-law's sister, Ashley (both runners as well) ran with me today. They are training for the Baltimore half-marathon. We stayed together and carried conversation for 10.5 miles and then I finished up a little less than a couple more myself. Running with someone else makes a world of difference for me - it's someone to hold you accountable, someone to occupy your mind from any pain and someone else setting out to do the same thing you are. Another sister of mine, Meg, just registered today for the OBX half-marathon so we'll be able to drink a beer together after I finish the full! Being able to run/race with my sisters is one of the greatest things about this sport for me. I mean if you think about it I'm combining two things that are very dear to me, which is great motivation. Whenever you feel like you can't go another mile, think of the reasons you're out there in the first place. A big reason for me is the strength that my family gives me.

Ok - I know I said this wouldn't be long but I guess like during my run today, I got a second wind. Now, it's time to celebrate a great run and the holiday weekend with some cold beverages! :-)