B-Race: Grandma's Marathon

I promised myself in the spring of 2006 that I would never do a marathon again, but as I write this I am 4 days out from my next attempt. With the help of some great physical therapists and strength training I have come out of my most recent injury stronger and smarter than ever. I have successfully made it through the marathon training block without injury. I was a little chicken when it came to pushing on that fine line of injury or not, but some may call it chicken some may call it smart. I myself haven't decided for sure what I call it.

Grandma's marathon is my B race as my A race will be Ironman Arizona in November. Although it is my B race it is still up there in importance. I think this will be a huge learning experience and hopefully confidence booster for my upcoming season. When I started this process my goal time was to break 3:30. I will be okay with hitting a PR of 3:38 and probably a little disappointed if I don't break 4:00 but its all a learning experience. My legs really haven't come around from taper yet so I am starting to get a little nervous and decided to challenge that energy into everything that I can control. I am A-type and okay with it.

Thursday, June 15th

Wake Up Time:  9:00 AM (Sleep as late as I possibly can).

Early Morning 30-minute shake out run/Shower

Leave for Airport: 10:45 AM  Thank yous to Ira Weiner.

Flight Leaves: 12:37 PM  Sitting next to my partner in crime, Pesto. First time marathoner!

Flight Arrives: 1:32 PM

Lunch

Packet Pick-Up: 2:15 PM

Grocery (Cub Foods): 3:15 PM

Check-In to Hotel: 3:30 PM relax/lay out race gear and Swiftwick socks/shake out run if I don't fit it in earlier.

Drive Course: 5:30 PM

Dinner: Va Benne: 6:00 PM

Sleep: 8:00 PM

Friday, June 16^th, Race Morning

Wake Up: 4:45 AM

Breakfast Plan: Oatmeal w/ milk, brown sugar, butter; Banana; Powerbar Ironman Perform; Toast w/ PB and Honey
Trislide Application: 5:00 AM

Leave Hotel: 5:15 AM

Train/Bus: 6:00 AM Stretch/Drop off sweat bag/Potty

Warm Up: 7:30 AM Jog slowly and picking up the pace slightly every 30 seconds until you are at race pace for the final 30 seconds. 5-6 minutes total.

Race Start: 7:45 AM

Actual Race

Pacing Plan: 1-3 @ 8:10/mile, 3-13 @ 8:00/mile, 14-20 @ 7:55/mile, 21-26 @ 7:50/mile and hang on  as long as I can.

Nutrition Plan: Gu’s and Salt Tab @ 40:00 or mile 5; 1:15:00 or mile 9; 1:55:00 or mile 13; 2:30:00 or mile 17; 3:00:00 or mile 21.

Hydration Plan: Walk 5, 9, 13, 17, 21 and drink 1 cup water and 1 cup sports drink; Sip at other aid stations.

I am not going to be upset if things don't go as planned, but its nice to have an idea so I am not running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I have seen it real life and its not a funny thing to watch. I am not sure why but there is a lot of chicken references in this post. Two is a lot for chickens.

You can track me here: http://grandmasmarathon.com/site/index.php?page=runner-tracking. My bib number is 6477.