Did you know there’s actually some other poopy little marathon going on in New York this weekend? I KNOW. Stop stealing my thunder NYC! You think you’re better than me?
I jaunted downtown at lunch to pick up ye olde race packet; also picked up some fancy shmancy compression sleeves on sale at the expo. Woot! (No, I did not actually just say woot. Read on.)
Yeah so, this may just be the caffeine talking but I’m actually starting to feel just a teency weency bit excited about this thing instead of terrified.
I’m also happy to report I’m feeling exponentially better. I slept great last night and I’m hardly even congested today. The bad news is that I haven’t done jack squat all week. Not a pushup, not a run, not so much as a stroll out to the mailbox.
This could either mean that I’ll be super well-rested, or super stiff and off my game. Think I’ll be optimistic for once and go with the former.
As for tomorrow, the forecast looks about as good as I could hope for:
Which means it will be just about freezing when I take my mark at 8 a.m. BUT the forecast predicts winds of only about 6-9 mph, which I can totally tolerate. Cold? Not a problem — spent a lot of 7°F afternoons last winter in Eagle Creek with Kate, so I’m well prepared for that.
Pre-race dinner: Inspired by Miss Amypants, it’s gonna be pizza and vino. Having not consumed a single alcholic beverage in more than a week (that’s gotta be some kind of record for me), I am drooling at the thought of a glass of wine tonight.
Gear: Pearl Izumi tights, long sleeve shirt, and a light jacket. Throw-away gloves. Headband/ear warmer. Can’t decide on the neck warmer but I’m taking it with me just in case. I know I’ll feel like a gigantic pansy if I’m wearing my neck warmer and I see dudes in shorts. But oh well, they can suck it.
Bedtime: 9:30 at the latest. And you better know I’ll be popping a couple of nighttime Tylenols to avoid laying awake all night worrying about whether or not my favorite sports bra is clean or if I accidentally set my alarm for 6 p.m.
Goals: Goal A is 5 hours, or sub-five to be precise; goal B is 5:45; goal C is just to finish before the sweepers come out. On a good day, I can run 10:00 – 10:30 miles for ever and ever, so that’s what I’m hoping will happen tomorrow. but I just really don’t know what to expect. I could totally kick ass, or it could be rough. But no matter what, I PR. And if I tank, it just means it’ll be that much easier to PR again next time.
As for the course, you couldn’t ask for flatter terrain.
I think that’s one of the main reasons this race has grown so much in only it’s third year– everybody’s all about that flat.
It may not draw as many world-class professional athletes and celebrities, or offer more than $600,000 in prize money, and no I won’t have two million spectators cheering for me, but at least I don’t risk getting peed on.
Cheaper Than Therapy 
Good luck tomorrow! I am hoping to be able to run a marathon someday – have only made it to a half so far.
Be sure there are plenty of pictures taken. I’m sure you are going to look amazing after the race.
It’s awesome that you do a personal best no matter what, but how about meeting goal A.
Be sure to drink some brewskis tomorrow night in celebration. I will be making a package this weekend for Mr. UPS to pick up on Monday.
Good luck. No puking.
Thanks dude!!
Good luck! You’ll do great!!
Have you taken the tylenol before a big thing before? I usually feel like crap the next day if I do that to sleep- totally backfires. Be careful.
Eagerly awaiting the race report and photos!
No worries — those things are like cheerios for me. Thanks for the encouragement – hoping for a good race report tomorrow.
Hilarious about NYC/the bridges/getting peed on. I was unaware of that particular risk!
GOOD LUCK! Above all, enjoy. When it gets boring just high-five the policemen/course marshals and make witty or incoherent comments to the volunteers. They love that. That’s all I got. You rock.
Good luck and have fun! And I second sweatykid’s suggestions about high-fives and incoherent comments. Its fun to remember back to what you did during the marathon…much like piecing together a black-out drunk night. Hilarity always ensues.
Kick its ass, Seabass!
HA! Thanks! Whenever I hear someone say “kick his ass,” I always have to say “Seabass” under my breath.
GOOD LUCK.
It means more if it’s in all caps. I bet you could get peed on if you really tried hard. But for serious – have a great time, run your face off, but keep your fingers so we can get a race report. Capisce?
I had the rest of my pizza and a glass of wine as my pre-race, too. 🙂
I hope you had a kick ass time!
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