Thursday, October 11, 2012

Important Details

In about 36 hours, I'll hopefully be getting ready to run a marathon.  I have absolutely no goals for Saturday's race.  I plan to show up, enjoy the day and hope for the best.  People who are often wiser and more logical (aka - my husband) think I should sit this one out.  However, I'm too stubborn for that.  My rationale is I need to get in a long run anyway (haven't done a long run either of the last two weekends) so why not go for it since I'm already signed up.  I plan to take it very easy.  My energy is back and while I definitely have a cold, I'm through the worst of it and it seems to be running its course fairly quickly.  As long as I don't get one of the headaches like I got earlier in the week while running, it should be fine.  If I feel absolutely terrible, I could drop out and the course has a 7 hour cut-off so I could still do lots of walking and still finish. The weather looks like it'll be perfect for the day.  

Since I'm planning on showing up, it's time to decide important things, like what I'll wear.

Do I go for ultra-runner wannabe look?  Compression shorts and hydration pack.  I'm leaning towards wearing my pack since this is to be a training run for JFK 50 mile.  Plus, if I do, I have an easy way to store an extra layer (it'll be chilly to start so I'll need it) and could easily stash a camera which will help make sure I take it easy.  Plus, I'll have the stuff I know sits well with me while running and not take anything from aid stations.  The pack seems like overkill for a marathon but this is likely similar to how I'll look on Saturday.

Finish of Highlands Sky

The other option is walking advertisement for Miles and Mutts.  The race is local enough for it to be practical but when I wore this for the Gettysburg marathon and relied on aid stations I ended up with stomach issues (even though the race as a whole went well).  My guess is the issues were a result of drinking some full strength Gatorade which I'm not used to as much anymore since I don't normally drink it.  But, not having to lug all my stuff with me is nice and part of the reason it makes sense to pay $80 for a 'training run'!


The last option would be to go retro and wore the exact same thing I ran the first time I ran Freedom's Run as my first marathon two years ago which includes my most loved tank top.


Here's hoping marathon #4 goes well!

21 comments:

  1. Best of luck - I'm in the same boat for Detroit next week. I'm sick for the THIRD time in this pathetic training cycle. However, it does fit in perfectly with the schedule for my first 20 mile training run for the Tucson so, meh ... nothing wrong with using a marathon as a training run for a marathon ... right??? Best of luck this weekend.

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  2. Good luck on #4 and I hope it all goes well. It is a very tough choice but you know yourself best.

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  3. Good luck Abbi!!! :) I say since it's for training for the 50 miler...go with what you're planning on doing for that one. :)

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  4. I'll be running a marathon too this weekend, so good luck to us both, although it sounds like you're putting less pressure on you.

    I can never be sure what I'm wearing until the morning of the race.

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  5. Good luck this weekend! I hope your cold goes away for good. I'm runnign Baltimore on Saturday and it look slike 44 degrees at the start. I think I'm gonna go with a light long sleeve and shorts, but I'm afraid I will freeze to death waiting at the start line!

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  6. Best of luck!!!! 4 Marathons - wow!!!!

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  7. One of my grad school friends is running the same marathon this weekend, but it's her first time! I love people's excitement of running a new distance for the first time :)

    I say go for the pack. You're not a wannabe ultra runner, you ARE an ultra runner and it's important to train like it's race day!

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  9. Good luck to you!
    I'm in a similar situation...

    What to wear...I won a spibelt a MONTH ago and it hasn't arrived so do I wear my granny pack or what?

    I'm also coming down with a cold. I've been popping Vitamin D like candy and drinking hot tea nonstop - no wonder I have to pee so much!

    Either way, like you, I paid for the race so I will run/walk/crawl/finish it! And it's going to beautiful so at least I can enjoy the scenery along the way. :D

    Hope to see you Saturday!

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  10. Good luck this weekend! I think wearing the pack makes sense - training for the big race!

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  11. Praying it goes well for you! You've got this!

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  12. I'm so glad you've got some energy back!

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  13. I'm glad you're feeling better and hope that you continue to improve up to the race! Good luck!

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  14. I hope it goes well and I say go for what you will be wearing at jfk....get a feel if it's going to be comofortable!

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  15. Have a fun run! I am anxious to hear what you wear! :)

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  17. Toe the line, take it easy, and have fun. You'll be glad you did next month at JFK 50.

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  18. I think you should wear your lucky shirt and just take it easy and have fun! Good luck! I hope that you get your mojo back!

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  19. I looked at the race website yesterdayyand i think i will do the half next year. I need a WV race and it is only 1.5 hours from us. Plus they have medals now!

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  20. By now you have run the race, so I hope it went well!! I think any of the outfits look great. i am going to guess you went w/ the ultra one!

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  21. I'm belated but I hope it went well!! And that you wore ultra compression shorts :)

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