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gretriever
Hipster Doofus
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Joined: 16 Jul 2003
Posts: 19385
Location: A moving target in a firing range.
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 Posted: 05/25/04 - 14:07 Post subject: "No matter what else you've been told..."
(replies not needed... for your dancing and dining pleasure)
A badly-needed talking to myself.
"So here you are. A matter of days and it's time for the race. What are you bringing? No, doofus, what did you get from the training? What do have that works to your advantage, and what's going to give you trouble?"
Negatives first (get them out of the way). The weight is not where I was hoping - about five pounds or so heavier than I figured. It won't matter that much in a 5K. In a marathon, that could be another factor.
If it's warm (they're talking mid 50s maybe with rain at race time), it's a problem. No matter what I've tried, I can't keep the sweat out of my eyes. That's especially a problem if I'm wearing the (non-prescription) sunglasses. I do have a couple tricks up my sleeve if need be, though.
I think in every race I've ever done, I can tell within the first hundred yards if it's going to be a good run or not. Even the half-marathons. If I don't get that on Sunday, I have to divert my attention totally away from running. I hope I the music in my head kicks in early.
Now the positives. I've never done this distance, so I have no bad habits coming into it. Nothing to unlearn. I have trained - I was stunned to see so many at St. Louis (so I overheard) making that their first race ever. Not even a 5K beforehand!
I have had handlers (and believe me they have earned that title!) who have helped me work around injuries and adjusting my schedule as needed. They have believed in me more than I could ever believe in myself.
And I have had you, the readers of these threads of mine. Your encouragement and advice have always been a support for me, and I will take that with me all the way through the finish line. Based on what I've done, I deserve a great race. But I know that anything could happen. And that I can accept and live with. Having gotten through the training is victory in itself. Completing the race will be another victory. The result of same is just icing on the cake.
The days draw long, too long to count,
Cushioned by the wasting.
Restless age, the rusted temple,
A place of my own making.
No matter what else you've been told,
It's still all up to me.
And everything you hold
Is mine in the barest degree,
In the barest degree.
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TreKay
Member
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 2741
Location: Tiger Town!
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Posted: 05/25/04 - 14:35 Post subject:
"G" nothing wrong with a little talking to yourself before the thon, I remember doing the same thing last fall. Dont fret, you logged the miles did the training and all else that goes into it, control only the things you can control, ie. you cant control the weather, but you can control how you react to it.
The reward is now, take it!!!! Best of luck to you!
Jon
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runaroundsue
Member
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Joined: 18 Sep 2002
Posts: 6629
Location: supporting GREENer pastures
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Posted: 05/25/04 - 17:18 Post subject:
g-dog-
it's hard to read the weather. I assumed that after the rain it would get hot and humid. There was no "after the rain --well, yes for the 7 hour finisher. With 10 marathons under my belt, I learned a lesson.....be prepared for anything when rain is involved. I was prepared for the warm...not the cold.
Here's a few suggestions.
bring that garbage bag or poncho for when you are lined up for the start, discard if it looks like the rain will let up.
if it's cool at the beginning.....I doubt it...sounds like 50....but if it's under 50 cut off the foot of tube socks and use them as arm warmers. They are very easy to discard during the race when it warms up.
That sweating problem: when I lived in TX and major sweating was an issue for keeping contacts in......Wypalls (industrials toweling) is great. Wear it in the elastic band of your shorts. As you start to sweat, you wipe your forehead. Running with this in your hands can be a good thing, it keeps you from clenching your fists and causing stiffness.
Stay relaxed and find someone to run with for the first 10 miles--talk and meet people. The first 10 should be quite easy...as if you are on one of your long runs.
eh....don't worry about the 5 pounds...extra fuel in the tank!!
Have fun....you're gonna do great.
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