It has been a tough training cycle. I have pushed myself through a craptastic (that is a real word...I'm sure of it ;)) winter with Thing 1's torture training plan. Sometimes hitting my goals, sometimes wanting to die & failing. It has been SO cold & windy! I have had more speedwork than I am used to and my long runs have not been as plentiful. I did 2 16's, an 18, a 20 and a 5.5 hour trail run that substituted for a 20. Then I went on vacation and my taper has been really tapered! I had a fantastic time in Spain, but we were only able to run 3 times in 9 days. I ran my last 'long' run the day we left...10 miles. Then I got in 3, 3, 5.5 and had to work back to back 12's starting the morning after getting back. So I figure I'll either be REALLY well rested and awesome or crash and burn. Then there is the course.
I am both a little excited & a lot scared! It has potential to be a fast course. I don't mind those rolling hills. I'm just not sure how to prep my body for that steep 5 miles of downhill. Do you think I should tape my knees just as a precaution? They have been ok in training so far. Little twinges now and then but I haven't had to break out the KT tape like I did for Wineglass. Honestly, I want to attack that downhill. I really, really do.
Also, I lost my entire itunes when my harddrive crashed so completely that nothing could be recovered. Yes, I know I should have backed it up. Anyway, all my playlists are gone so I am starting fresh with a new one for the race. Any suggestions???? I have a $30 itunes gift card burning a hole in my pocket ;-D
Also, Caro at Canadian Runner in Exile was taking pictures at her son's game and got one as he got hit by a baseball! Thank goodness he is OK! It reminded me that I had this image capture of the most epic steeplechase fail of all time at a track meet Thing 1 was competing in last month. (Actually, there is a 6 frame series that captures it all but this is the worst). SD had to hold both me and another mum back from running out onto the track. He did not even miss a step. Got back up and kept running....I could not believe it. I was sure he had hurt his head, given how red his face was. Nope. He had a heck of an abrasion on his leg where it hit the steeple but was otherwise ok. And just so you know, he is ok with this photo. It is all over his facebook. And Thing 1 would want you to know that he still came in 8th.
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| Check out the faces of the kids watching...it was that awful a crash! |
WOW!! Check out that crash!! That's a great photo for how bad it was :)Dang!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited for your marathon. It looks so interesting! Not often do you see one with a chart like that! Best of luck and fingers crossed for a great race!
So glad I stopped by to wish you an awesome race!!!! woohoo!
ReplyDeleteThat marathon elevation chart looks crazy - I hope you don't thrash your quads on the descent from mile 5-10, maybe don't run the downhill too fast or else you might pay for it later in the race. The downhill from 15 to 26.2 looks perfect.
ReplyDeleteAnd wow on that crash - crazy!
That's a great picture, but I'm sure it was terrible as a momma to watch. Good luck in your race...I vote awesome!
ReplyDeleteIs there SUPPOSED to be a huge puddle after the hurdle? When did track become a mud run?
ReplyDeleteHave a great race!!
That, my friend, is what's called 'Steeplechase'...a 3000M race with steeples (which are solid hurdles...the DON'T fall over if you hit one) including 2 water pit steeples.
DeleteOhhhhhh I would have jumped on the track I think
ReplyDeleteThis looks painful....the faces of the kids say it all....
It is a good thing he is fine
Wishing you all the best for your marathon ! What your your knee problems... Downhill is rough... I hurt myself last year running a downhill half marathon. It was a groin tendonitis... I hope it will go well for you!