Pre-Race Thoughts (Part 1)

After seventeen weeks and 468.5 miles of training...tomorrow is race day!

It's been 2.5 years since my last full marathon. Although I've run the marathon distance eleven times now*, only five times were official:

Kona 2015 4:57
Kona 2012, 5:03
Hilo 2011, 5:15
Long Beach 2007, 4:55
San Diego 2007, 4:36

*The unofficial"times were: 2 Relay for Life events in Corona, CA, 2 marathon distance training runs for an ultra in Kona and CA, my Trevor Run and three weeks ago I did a training run)

It's safe to say that I don't run the full distance very often, or...well. ;-) If you look at my past finish times, I think it's safe to assume that I should cross the tape between 4:45-5:00, as it's a cooler, downhill course.

I'm always pretty conservative on my goal times, as I don't exactly prepare like a serious marathoner. I draft my own training schedule (which is quite light), I skip a few weeks (Manila), I walk a lot on the long runs toward the end, and I don't exactly hit the gym like I used to (in fact, I clocked a mere thirteen visits there over the last seventeen weeks of training). I'm also a decade older than my first marathon in 2007, 8-10 lbs. heavier, and rarely sleep more than 2-3 hours the night before a race. So I tend to go easy when I'm out there- rarely accelerating faster than a shuffle, taking liberal walk breaks at aid stations, etc.

I'm also a little worried about it being cold and rainy tomorrow, as expected temps range from the high 30s to the 60s. And I didn't train for the massive downhill elevation change AT ALL, so my poor quads are gonna quiver.

So yes, if it's not clear yet- the paranoia and panic has officially set in. I know that if I can muster at least 4-5 hours of sleep, I will be okay. That's a huge if, even with the aid of pharmaceuticals, but I'll still be at that starting line no matter what. I've never quit a race and I don't intend to start now.

I'm still committed to doing the best I can. I've learned over time that the first 3-5 miles are never a good indication of how a race will go (as I struggle with nervous stomach, perceived exhaustion), and to ignore the negative self talk. I've learned not to panic when my legs feel like toast at mile 14 and to wait patiently for the second wind. I'm hoping for a finish time as far away as 5 hours as possible, tomorrow, but I don't dare wish for a PR or even a 4:30, as 10 min. miles are impossible for me to sustain over 26 miles and I'm not exactly in the kind of shape one needs to be in to clock that kind of time. I guess like most races, I just hope I feel strong and have a good time. :-)

Fingers crossed!