One last long run.

Where has the time gone?

This weekend- more like this afternoon will play host to my final long run for this marathon training cycle. 22 miles with 10 at goal marathon pace is the last chance I have to prove to myself before race day that ive got what it takes to crush my marathon PR by a significant amount. Kind of.


Im going into this run with low expectations after Last weeks long run. I've decided that running 22 miles after I get off work today in the heat and low humidity is *better* than tomorrow's forecast of heat, high humidity and storms. I don't need practice running in the rain. I think I am confident in my rain running abilities.

I just need to remember that running in close to 90 degrees is not going to be an accurate measure of my fitness. Fox valley seems to have lower early morning temps than Chicago, so running in 55 degrees on the morning of 9-16 will feel like a dream. I will try to hit my GMP miles today and will drink more water and take more salt and gu to accommodate the toasty temps, but will promise myself that I will not get down on myself if it doesn't go according to plan.
This run will be nothing like race day. except for the fact that I will be wearing the same shoes, shorts etx. I still haven't decided on which top to wear. I'm going between a couple of options all tested out in long runs or half marathons this year. I'm not too concerned. My new Swiftwick socks my mom got for me have been a dream so far and I plan on testing them out this afternoon too. Apparently all the american track n field Olympians we're given a pair of these to run in for the Olympics.


As I sit in my office in my last day in my old job (got a promotion which starts Monday) I'm listening to Pandora trying to find new tunes to spice up my playlist for the marathon. My mind is also swirling with thoughts of Fox Valley marathon. It's hard to not think of what will happen 2 weeks from Sunday after pouring my heart, body and soul into training for the past 23 weeks. I'm so consumed with Fox Valley that it's making me crazy. I need to take a few steps back and savor how far I've come since early this year, and also why I'm doing this and how much I do enjoy flying down the path nearly every day. I'm excited to have a taper where I won't have any more "long runs" but will still have some nice tempo threshold runs scheduled to keep me on my toes. I'm excited to see my Daad soon so I can talk his ears off about the marathon and get his advice (3:04 marathoner- so he knows a lot!)

I'm also kind of sad this training cycle is coming to an end. But, I'm super excited beyond belief to run the Chicago Marathon 3 weeks post Fox Valley with my L.



- xaar