The low from Saturday going into Sunday is 44, so a pair of toss-away gloves and some arm warmers to start should be more than adequate I think (hope?). A toss-away shirt is likely easier but I'm not really looking to warm my core even more than usual and I know from experience that I can easily tie those to my shadow pack and will not notice them during the run. I'll pack for both options though b/c thinking as I type this, standing around in a tank top in the dark may not be my wisest move. With a start time at 7:00, I LOVE that my first hour will be in the dark though, as it should make time pass fairly quickly.
I completed my last run this morning. 2 miles with no Garmin. Truthfully I was probably going faster than I should and I had wanted to use this run to try and zero in on pace for the marathon. But I walked outside in the mid-40s temps (shorts, s/s top, arm warmers) and realized my Garmin was inside. I just didn't feel like going inside to get it, wait for it to pick up signal, etc. So off I went...conquered a couple hills (no way around it) and felt great.
My goal for the first half of the race is really to run by feel as much as possible. Trying not get my heart rate too elevated or get more tired than needed. I've been able to do this in my training and I need to TRUST IT and stop doubting myself. I've gone back and read my previous race reports where the wheels just flat out CAME OFF at the end and I am determined not to let that happen here. I would love to get the 5 hour monkey off my back (and I was on pace at Chickamauga hitting mile 20 at 3:50:00 but totally lost it later on coming in more like 5:20? Is it sad I don't know my marathon time?) but I don't want to put undue pressure on myself so that I feel like a failure (a la Mercedes Half Marathon 2012...my 13.1 PR but I look at the race as utter failure b/c I didn't make my time goal) Anyway, 90 minutes for a 10K is totally wheels coming off and breaking apart!! (Especially when I never got passed after mile 15.5 and continued to pass people until there just were no more people!) and I just don't want that to happen again. I guess all in all I just want to run a smart race and enjoy the beautiful fall scenery...and there will be a medal waiting for me at the end.
In the spirit of A, B and C level goals:
A Goal: 5 hours or bust!! Woo hoo!
B Goal: PR--most specifically doing so while not having a mental breakdown somewhere on the course ;)
C Goal: Finish uninjured and with a smile on my face
OK, so how was it?! Someone else from our BTC long run group was there too.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to have the energy for a recap this evening :) I have been hobbling around at work today...no rest for the weary...haha!
DeleteHope your race went great! Can't wait to read the recap!
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa!
ReplyDeleteI just found your race recap. I am thinking of doing this marathon this year, and then also doing Wine and Dine 3 weeks later which I see you did last year.
Thoughts? Am I totally crazy? This will be my 1st marathon, but I've done a couple halfs with no problem.
Hi! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a note :)
DeleteI definitely don't think you are totally crazy--this is very doable! However, depending on your experience with longer distances and how well you recover from your marathon training runs I would recommend possibly evaluating your expectations for the Wine and Dine.
W&D 2012 was never intended to be a goal race for me--it was about getting my friends over the finish line--at whatever pace they needed. I think in general Disney races are usually more about the experience, character photo opps, etc anyway--but since I wasn't "racing" I don't think my legs really felt the full effect of this being 3 weeks after a marathon. 1 week post-marathon I was pretty much fine and I kept my mileage up and went into W&D with fairly fresh legs.
Happy to chat or answer any more questions you might have!