Today I went and picked up my race packet. I always get really excited when I packet pick up day arrives. I think it just confirms that the race is days away. I am lucky number 114. I think there are going to be about 2500 half marathoners and about 1000 full marathoners. So maybe I will not be the 1000th person!!! I did my last run tonight. I ran 4 miles and felt great. I was suppose to just do an easy 4 mile jog, but my body only knows one pace and that is 9:06 pace. Its crazy how my legs just consistently run that pace. I hardly ever go slower than that. It is just hard for me to run any slower, sometimes I catch myself running an 8:15 pace. I have to say slow down this is suppose to be an easy jog. Well now it is all up to me and how I trained the last 18 weeks. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I said when I started this process that I was not going to put a time limit on this race. I said I was just going to run it and enjoy it. I don't know how to do that so instead I set a goal for 4 hours. I am beginning to wish I would have stuck to the originial plan but I didn't. I think that is what I am worried about the most, making my goal. I guess it doesn't really matter as long as I finish I will be proud. There will be plenty of other races in the future.
One of my friends ran the Cowtown Marathon in March and her comment after her race was scary. She finished in 5:15. She said she would rather give child birth than to run a marathon. She has the wind was horrible and it was a lot tougher than she had imagined. That makes me nervous, hopefully I won't feel that way.
The next 2 days are going to be dedicated to rest and relaxation. I look forward to race day!!!
You will be fine! I understand your need to set a goal time because I'm the same way. "They" (I guess being the running experts) say not to set a time goal for your first half marathon and I did anyway. "They" probably say the same thing about your first marathon. There are a few more factors to contend with in a full marathon, we'll just call it 13.1 additional factors, so if your goal time doesn't happen it's OK. You are a strong runner and I'm so proud of you!!!
ReplyDeletePs- Have you read the book Run Like a Mother? I was listening to their podcast while I was at the gym yesterday and somebody asked the writers if childbirth was worse than the marathons and other tough races they've done. They said childbirth was more difficult. Just think- you usually don't get stitches when you run a marathon. :)
Shanda I am so proud of you for doing this. It takes alot of dedication I know and you have made time for your goals and yet you are still an awesome mom to my sweet little nephews. So excited that I'm gonna get to be there to watch the race and I'm really hoping it will inspire me to get started on the couch to 5K program. I really want to be a runner!!! lol
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