I just finished off a big plate of pasta and bread, along with my 12th 16-ounce glass of water of the day. I've spent most of the last 24 hours mentally and physically (or, really, organizationally) preparing for tomorrow's running of the Marine Corps Marathon. This will be my 7th marathon in as many years, but I am a nervous wreck. Probably just as nervous as I was the night before my first race. (At least this time I don't have bronchitis to contend with and I'm not in a different time zone.)
Yesterday afternoon I headed to the DC Convention Center for "packet pickup" to get my race # (I'm 16929), my timing tag, a (very ugly) MCM shirt, and all sorts of other things that the race sponsors threw into the goodie bags. I also purchased a great running shirt that says "I know I run like a girl. Try to keep up." I can't wait to wear it! The pre-race expo was really great - there was an energy and excitement that really got me pumped. It made me realize that, after months of training, it's really race time. There was also fun stuff to do - sampling free beer (in the name of carb-loading, of course) - and see - more running gear and equipment than you've ever seen anywhere. My favorite thing this year (other than my shirt) was a pair of toe socks. Shoeless running is apparently really taking off, so you wear these socks instead of just going barefoot. I'm skeptical, but I'm hoping to see someone on the course tomorrow with them on. Especially the rainbow striped ones! (Last time I ran this race I did meet a barefoot runner who told me he's never worn running shoes and runs a marathon every weekend. Perhaps there's something to it...)
I started today by gathering all my gear for tomorrow. And, boy, is there a lot! I've got the stuff I'll wear to run, plus sweats to wear to the race since it'll be cool tomorrow morning, gloves just in case, power food for breakfast and along the course, Body Glide to prevent chafing, Gatorade, gum, Band Aids, Advil, and flip flops for the way home. I always tell people that one of the reasons I love running is that you don't need a lot of equipment. Today made me question that rationale!
After getting my gear together, I was still a bundle of nervous energy. I set out to distract myself. I cleaned and did laundry, grocery shopped, went out for a protein-and carb-filled brunch, reorganized a closet, took my trash and recycling out a day early, cleaned the cats' litter box, and even ordered a couple Christmas gifts.
I plan to turn in early tonight since I have to get up before 5:00 tomorrow for the race. I just hope I can sleep. I've already mentally run the race about a dozen times today and have gone through every possible scenario of what could go wrong - I get a flat tire on the way to the start, I wake up sick, my hip (which has been giving me trouble) locks up, I lose my way along the course, I collapse and die from a heart attack which happened three times over in last weekend's Detroit Marathon. Yikes.
I'm sure the race will be great and even though (because of my hip) I've pretty much given up setting a personal record, I am still really excited. I can't wait for the gun to go off tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. and set off on another 26.2 mile journey with 30,000 other people who, like me, have just one goal - to finish.
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Go, go, go!!!! That's me cheering you on. I hope you can hear it half way across the world.
ReplyDeleteSo why are you so nervous? You never said why this one makes you more nervous than the others that you've run in the last few year; or are you this way before all of them?
We have those barefoot slippers for running. Only Tim has worn them so far because my leg is still not ready for running, but when I start up again, I'll try them. Tim really likes them and says they completely change the way you run and make it less stressful on your body. They make him look like a oversized hobbit, but who cares how you look when you run, right?
Good luck and make sure you tell us all how you did. I hope your hip is okay (you should do yoga).
Linda
Well, I can't say it was my best race but I did finish and I got the medal, so it's another one for the books. I had some unexpected problems - like tripping over a guy who stopped literally right in front of me. I twisted my ankle and had to briefly visit the medical tent for ice. Then I was dehydrated most of the way which caused my water stops to be longer than usual as I tried to gulp down as much liquid as possible. And around mile 16 I developed an inability to breathe deeply. (The latter two ailments I would discover 3 days after the race were because I was catching a cold.)
ReplyDeleteBut there was some good news: We had beautiful weather, the crowds were terrific, and my hip gave me absolutely no problem during or after the race.
Geez. It sounds like some horrible dream where you are trying to get somewhere and all these weird things keep happening to keep you from reaching that point. Are you sure the race isn't tomorrow and you just wrote about a nightmare you just had?
ReplyDeleteLinda