My thoughts have started to race and go crazy as each day passes and we get another day closer to Grandma's Marathon! I thought maybe it would help slow my thoughts if I wrote out a few final thoughts I am having about my first 26.2!
1. Fueling. I don' feel like I have found a good fueling plan that works for me. I had started out using Gatorade chews or Clif Shot Blocks; depending on what I had on hand. I also had a Clif water mix and used Gatorade during the second half of a run. The problem with all of these is that about half way in - or between the 7-10 mile mark, they start to make me feel more thirsty. And they get harder and harder to chew. Not literally hard to chew, but more undesirable and extra gooey. And when I just couldn't take another one, I quit taking them. Do you think that has any impact on falling apart around 16 or 17 miles? I finally decided I am going to use Gu on race day. They don't give one away until mile 17, but I can't wait that long to work on refueling. My current plan is to take one around mile 6, one at 13, and one around 19. Along with alternating water and Gatorade at the water stops. My only other concern is that I am a very salty sweater. To the point of being able to see white marks and feel the gritty residue during and after my runs - when it is hot especially, not on every single run. I don't know if I should be using something more focused on electrolytes? A few week ago when I did the 18 mile run in which I feel asleep right after my run - I lost 5 pounds of water weight on that run! Not good, I know! For my next marathon - assuming there will be a next - this is an area I need to do more trial runs and research on for sure.
2. Pacing. I may have mentioned in one of my previous two posts that I am going into this race focused on slowing my pace down. Six weeks into my training, I had no doubt that I could finish in 5:00 or less - meaning an 11:27 pace or even slightly faster. The last six weeks of training have had me doubt on more than one occasion that I can even finish. So, I am hoping that slow and steady really does "win" the race, and am thinking anywhere between 12:00 and 12:30 pace - finishing between 5:15 and 5:30. I know I am going to hit miles in the beginning and middle that will be hard to keep myself going that slow. I am also worried even if I do, somewhere between mile 16 and 26, it is still going to get to be really hard! Still, hoping a slower beginning makes the hard more manageable. I have gone so far to look up times from last year (is that too stalker-like? It's not like I know them!) to see when they hit the various splits!
2a. Debating writing PMA in black, sharpie marker on my hand. Positive Mental Attitude. Because that it half my problem when the going gets tough.
3. Outfit. I know which capris I am going to wear. My black Energy Zone ones I shared about here. I am torn as to what shirt to wear. I have been comfortable wearing the tank I got from Women Rock last year, despite not always running in tanks. However, as of yesterday, the high in Duluth for Saturday is predicted to be 67*, with a slight chance of rain. Even without the rain, a high of 67* means it will be fairly cool in the morning. I don't have a favorite t-shirt as of late, but am thinking maybe my navy blue one from last year's Get Fit Be Fit challenge. Decisions, decisions. Oh, and I did buy a new sports bra - an Energy Zone polyester/spandex that hopefully won't rub like my cotton ones! And I wore a different pair of underwear on the long run with my sister last week, and didn't have as bad of chaffing. So - I will go with those.
And a bonus number 4. Goals. Most importantly working really hard to just let go of goals I was hanging on to. Like the possibility of finishing in under 5:00 based on those first six weeks of training. And even finishing in 5:00. Enough people have told me over the last two weeks that I should just be proud of myself for attempting it, and to aim to finish. That is my number one goal. So - really want to stay out of my head, take it easy, have fun and finish. No pressure (but try telling that to my competitive, want to give it my all, racing thoughts).
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What three things are on your mind today?
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