The butterflies have officially set in. This time tomorrow I’m hoping to write a race re-cap, but thought it might be interesting to begin with a pre-cap so I have a benchmark of sorts.
All week I’ve been comparing this year to last year…
Last year I was nervous about running 26.2 for the first time. This year I know I can finish. I feel like I trained harder last year, but that’s because training was so new. This year I feel like I trained about the same amount, but I know I’m stronger and more comfortable. Last year I was nursing hamstring tendonitis. This year my body is healthy. Last year I was mourning the very recent loss of a dear friend in whose memory I was running, so emotions were high. This year I’m running in memory of my Grandmother, whose loss I have been grieving for years and years as Alzheimer’s stole her away slowly. It’s different. And perhaps most significantly, last year I ended up running a race two weeks later than the one I trained for. This year I am on schedule and sleeping in my own bed with power, heat, and hot water, and no fear of angry bystanders throwing objects at me on the course.
My goal is to run 3:34:50. That would be a BQ for me. The number sounds doable when I look at all my other races and workouts. Mentally I know I should be able to do this. BUT 3:34:50 means running 26.2 miles at 8:12 pace, and that sounds crazy. I just can’t comprehend maintaining that pace–totally boggles the mind. So I’ll try to focus on the finish time and not dwell on the pace. Trust the training, trust my beloved coach (as well as my Team Alzheimer’s and UA coaches–I’ve got a lot of support!), trust the race-day magic.
Tomorrow’s main objective is to have fun and run a race that my Grandmother would be proud of. I know she’d rather I take in the full NYC Marathon experience than beat myself up over pace, so I promise to honor her in that. Team Alzheimer’s doesn’t take the idea of a “Run to Remember” lightly, and neither do I.
Time for bed. Early start to a long day awaits. Tucking myself in with lots of prayers and love I am feeling from near and far.
Goodnight, and GodSPEED!
lauren laughs 