Tuesday, June 12, 2012

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 16th, 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-trackingMy bib number is 6477.

5 comments:

  1. Good luck! I'll be running the half, then sticking around to watch my cousin finish the marathon. So if you hear some random chick cheering for you it might just be me :) And have fun, too!

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  2. Good luck! I love the type-A lists - control what you can, right? I'm sure you're going to crush it!

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  3. Woo hoo!! Go rock that marathon!
    -Elaine

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  4. Thanks all! Erin what is your race number? I will keep an eye out for you? Good luck!

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  5. Thanks! I was going to run the marathon, but circumstances changed and they graciously let me drop down to the half so that my dad, sister and I can run together. We will just be finishing, not racing.
    My confirmation card says 19454, but I think they drop the first digit if I remember correctly so I think it will be F9454?
    I've run the full 3 times and the half 5 or 6. I love that course!

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