Welp, the moment we’ve all I’ve been waiting for–RACE WEEK!!!
Marathon Goal– 3:50
Marathon Pace/Tempo Runs– 8:45
Strength Runs–8:35
Easy Runs–9:40-10:40
Long Runs–9:30
But first, last week’s numbers…
Monday, October 24th –5 Easy Miles @9:41 avg. pace
A little faster than “easy pace” miles with a friend. But like always, a good convo makes the run go by faster.
Tuesday, October 25th –8 miles: 1 mile WU, 5 miles @Strength Pace (w/400R), 1 mile CD
Strength pace is 8:35/mile and each mile of this workout was way faster than that. I have no idea how that happened. It was dark out when I started (at 4:45 in the morning) so I only saw my splits when the mile would beep. Each time, I would look in disbelief as I didn’t feel like I was pushing or working myself. I’d try to adjust, only to see the next mile be almost exactly the same.
I was running with a buddy who is usually meticulous with pacing but even he was off. We were just chatting along. It was cool to see this be a sort of conversation pace for me as I’d had had an awful training week the week before. Nevertheless, I knew that I should be more disciplined with my pacing so close to marathon day.
Wednesday, October 26th –Rest Day
Milked it. I knew I had a hard run the next day.
Thursday, October 27th –12 miles: 1 mile WU, 10 miles at Tempo/Race pace, 1 mile CD
I was a little worried about this run, not gonna lie. Last week’s tempo run was awful so I was going into this one not very optimistic.
But it went GREAT.
It was crazy o’clock in the morning again (4:30 start time) and I got in 3 miles on my own before meeting up with my run club. Then I ran with my Tuesday pacing buddy and it was deja vu. Each mile was faster than what it should’ve been and again, it didn’t feel hard. We chatted the entire way and then he left me on my last two miles.
This run was the confidence booster I needed. I was a little sad after last week’s struggles and this week’s two big runs (Strength & Tempo) had gone so well, it really helped ease some of the race anxiety I had already started to build up.
Friday, October 28th– Rest Day
This was an unexpected race day. I slept in with the intentions of running in the evening but then I remembered later that my book club had it’s monthly meet-up and that sounded so much better. I didn’t even feel guilty about missing a run.
Saturday, October 29th–8 Long Run Miles @9:22 avg. pace
I met up with my NYC training buddies for this run and it was just so much fun. Relaxed, social, and it flew by before I knew it.
Sunday, October 30th–6.2 Easy Miles @9:53
It was my Moms Run This Town’s Halloween run and by buddy and I made our own little 10k out of it 🙂
six point two witchy miles
Which brought me to a grand total of 39.2 miles for the week. I seriously can’t believe that race week is NOW. I’ve already started packing and mentally preparing myself–trying my hardest to keep the nerves at bay. I keep thinking about the bridges and the hills and getting scared, but I know I’ve worked hard and what’s done is done. All I can do is show up confident with my training.
I’ve never worked so hard in my life and I definitely know I’m a different runner than I was 5 months ago. Geeze…..5 months. FIVE months of training.
Holy cow.
–How do you keep the racing nerves at bay?
–It’s been 90 degrees+ here. There’s no way I can prepare for NYC weather.
(I realize that ^ wasn’t a question, lol)
–I’ve been hydrating like a mad woman, carb loading smartly, resting as much as I can–what else should I be doing?
You sound like you’re ready!
As I think I’ll ever be, lol!! Where can I find you???
I think we’ll be cheering on 4th Ave & Union in BK (that’s where our club usually sets up a cheering station, but there’s some construction there this year). I’ll let you know where we’ll be exactly.
When are you arriving to NYC? I’ll be working from home Thursday and Friday, so I’m free to meet up anytime on those days.
That’s near the start? Mile 4ish-5ish?
We’ll be getting there Friday afternoon and going to the expo as soon as we drop off our stuff
It’s about Mile 7. We should get in convo with Colby to see what her plans are. Who else will be running NYCM?
I’ll be at 4th Ave & 3rd St, on the right hand side. If you see a giant cat head on a stick, that’s us.
GET IT GET IT GET IT!!!
❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
So excited for you! Have a wonderful last taper week and enjoy your time in NYC. Best time of the year to be there and the weather is great!
Thank you Sarah!! Will you be there??
Sadly, no. I was planning on it earlier in the year but a new job and mom duties meant I had to leave last weekend instead of next. 😦
Totally understand ❤
best of luck for a great race in NYC, have an awesome trip!
Thank you!!!
Best of luck! I keep the nerves at bay by reflecting over the miles and workouts I’ve logged in the months leading up to the event. Seeing them written down on paper really helps me!
Oooh, I like that! Thank you!
Go Helly!
Thank you!!!!
I try to tell myself the nerves are just excitement which will fuel adrenaline
and give me energy for the race! (sorry- computer glitch)
That’s a good way to look at it! Thank you!!!
No problem. Good luck!
you are going to rock NYC!!! the marathon is going to be one long party celebrating all your hard work.
Yessss!!!! I like that 🙂
Nothing else you can do. You’re ready! Good luck!
Thank you so much!
THIS IS IT! You kicked around each week of training like it was nothing. YOU OWN THIS THING. Go get it! XO
I don’t know about that, lol!! Thank you so much for your support. It really means a lot to me Suzy ❤
I am so freaking excited for you! You are going to have a great race. Believe it! You are ready!
The week of the race I’m usually okay, but the morning of any marathon I’ve done I’m always CRAZY nervous and tell my husband I don’t want to do it anymore. LOL! Usually once I get to the race and am around all the runners I’m okay. Do you have lots of warm stuff to wear while you wait? When I ran Chicago last year I way underdressed for the start and froze the entire time we waited! xoxo
I’ve definitely had moments of “I don’t want to do this” lol!!! Oh yes, we’ve packed quite a few extras to keep warm while we wait. I was way underdressed and underprepared when I did MCM a couple of years ago. Shivered for two hours before the start.
I think I’ll be okay during the run; I’m just worried about wind
LOL! I think it’s normal to feel that way, right?!?! 😉 You are SO ready! And if it’s windy – tuck your cute little self into a pack of other people and let them shield the wind for you!
❤ !!!!
–How do you keep the racing nerves at bay? My nerves get me soooo bad (to the point where I throw up) so I just don’t think about it! I know you’re probably thinking “that’s impossible at this point, but really… when you start to think about it too much, distract yourself!
–I’ve been hydrating like a mad woman, carb loading smartly, resting as much as I can–what else should I be doing? I realize this sort of contradicts my above comment, but moments of meditation where you picture yourself completing the marathon always helped me with sports. You picture exactly what you want to happen… in a calm moment. You see it, you feel it, you live it in your head. Picture every detail, crossing the start line, your feet hitting the pavement, crossing the finish line, etc. This is not a “worry about it” moment, these are very constructed moments of meditation! I hope it helps!!
I am seriously rooting for you and praying for you!!!! Your ability to get back out there after a few bad experiences in the past speaks VOLUMES! You are such an inspiration! Even if this is a disaster race, your perseverance has already inspired me so much. Thanks for always sharing your story.
Wow, thank you so much, really! I never really think of myself as someone who could inspire–I’m just a normal girl running in Arizona, lol! So thank you ❤
And thank you so much for your very helpful tips!
I am SO excited for you. You’ve got this!!
Thank you so much!!