Four days to go, I would call that the final countdown, wouldn't you? Yikes!
I'm not too nervous just yet; I'm sure that will change. Perhaps quickly as I feel my nerves fluttering even as I write this!
I have avoided invoking my usual catchphrases that I often throw out in dicey situations; i.e., "What could possibly go wrong?" and "What's the worst that could happen?" Obviously, there are many things that could go wrong and the worst that could happen? The possibilities are endless! So I'm not even going to go there.
Instead, I am focusing on all the other people in the world who have sucessfully completed long-distance races.* Not only the millions and millions of people around the world, but people I actually know (personally or casually) or know of (through Facebook and blogs). Of the dozens and more that I know and know of, some of course are superstar runners and can only be expected to do well, but many others are just as middle-of-the-pack as me, and may even have been slower and less well prepared than me, and yet they all still DID IT and SURVIVED!**
Since Sunday's half marathon, I am unofficially (or officially) in taper or cut-back mode. Instead of running on Monday, I went to the Y in the morning (and then again in the evening, okay, not quite cutting back yet). I did 7½ easy miles on Tuesday morning (pretty progressively, about 9:36 average pace by the end). This morning, Wednesday, back to the Y for more elliptical (and not doing a second stint tonight), and finally, tomorrow I'll do a short run with a little bit of speedwork.
I'm freaking out a little bit about weight gain this week. I'm still up a few pounds from Thanksgiving and the weekend, though I am telling myself that it's just from salty food and such, as I can't believe I ate enough to actually truly gain. I'm trying to eat a bit carefully with the reduced exercise (my dinners are bulked up with lots of vegetables), but on the other hand I don't want to undernourish myself either.
I suspect that as the week goes on I will be less and less able to resist carby nibbles. Who am I kidding? I just finished the last handful of french fries from my secretary's lunch. And I just might get my own burger and fries for lunch tomorrow....
*I can't bring myself to say the actual word, it's like mentioning the Scottish play in a theatre!
**I am not doing any links here to specific examples of such persons, do you think I am crazy?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
I think that Thanksgiving gorging makes for excellent race fuel. Have no worries!
I am sure you will surpass even your own expectations ;) Take it easy the next few days!
A little weight gain during taper is totally normal. You need to fuel yourself!
You'll do great!!!! I am excited to hear all about it.
You will not only survive...you are going to have an excellent time!
Don't freak about the weight gain. It's no big deal. Go ahead and have a few nibbles this week.
The week before I ran the m-word, I could hardly eat at all I was so nervous...probably NOT a good thing in the long run (bahahaha...that was bad...sorry)
It is pretty cold but it's definitely warmer here than Seattle-- the cold is drier so you don't feel as chilled. I'm planning on shorts, tank and arm warmers if that helps! Oh and gloves, need the gloves :)
Post a Comment