In the face of my somewhat lackadaisical training for Sunday’s marathon
(some might even call it Half-Fast training, HiYo!) I’ve found myself having some wild mood swings, the kind I’m sure some of you ladies are prone to. One minute I’m certain that I’m going to have a great time, and the next minute I’m terrified that I won’t even finish. In the interest of fostering a positive mindset for this marathon I’ve asked Candis to keep reminding me of these things that I’m telling myself:
- I did all my training at altitude (5,300 ft) so running in Phoenix (1,100 ft) will probably make me feel like superman.
- I ran over 80% of my training runs in windy conditions, it was almost as though I was doing my long runs wearing a wind sprint parachute. As long as it’s not windy in Phoenix then this will also make me feel like superman.
- A lot of my training runs have incorporated good sized hills, but the marathon course is relatively flat which will make me feel like superman.
- Just get through this, and then you don’t have to run again for the rest of January.
- Many of my training runs were in the cold weather and I was forced to bundle up to stay warm. Surely the weight of the winter clothes and the way they restrict my movement caused me to run slower.
- Even though I didn’t run a 20 miler, I probably put forth the same amount of effort to run an 18 miler at altitude, into the wind (both ways), in the cold, on an uphill course (both ways), right? Right?
- Finally, I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me... almost as much as they like superman.
Of course, I could always use more thoughts like this
(by which I mean over-emphasizations of the truth) so if you can think of anything I’ve left out then I’d love to hear your positive thoughts about this marathon in the comments. If there’s anything that you disagree with or if you have any negative thoughts then please take those over to
Feet Meet Street or
Viper’s place, I’m quite certain that they deserve it more than I do.
Hmmm....I don't know if your training has been half fast but has definitely been half assed. (Can I get another Hi-Yo?!)
ReplyDeleteAlso, don't forget the huge rush of excitement and adrenaline you'll get during the event. That should carry you an extra 1/6 mile.
Break a leg.
Lest you forget, Stuart Smalley is now a US Senator!
ReplyDeleteMan that training change is going to give you such a superman boost! You can so do it, but I wouldn't go to far and call yourself superman... ha ha ha jk
ReplyDeleteI came across your blog and have really enjoyed the commentary! Probably because you live in the suburbs of Denver and so I, so I am also not enjoying the crappy weather and I am not the only person who didn't do a 20 miler for my 1st marathon. I survived! You will do great and enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteLovin the thoughts. Wear a superman cape!
ReplyDeleteEleanor Roosevelt said "You must do the thing you cannot do." And I'm pretty sure she said it after doing a shot when she completed the PF Chang RNR Marathon in Phoenix.
ReplyDeleteFun Fact: Phoenix is built on top of the largest kyptonite deposite yet discovered on the planet earth.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm sure you'll do well.
Rock the Marathon, Vanilla.
But, then, what do I know? I can't even spell "deposit".
ReplyDeleteBut I got the spelling of deposite down cold
don't forget "I'm fast and this is easy"
ReplyDeleteMood swings? Take some Midol.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on Sunday!
I'll leave it to Candis whether or not to call you Superman.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on Sunday!
You and Kristina will both do great...just shedding multiple layers of clothing and the flat, fast, course, not to mention your bright yellow shirt are going to make you feel like you are flying....or at least struggling less...Good luck, maybe we will see you there. J
ReplyDeleteI ran with Superman at the 2007 RnR AZ. He was dressed as Clark Kent at the start and said he was going to shed the close half way. I never saw him after the start.
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
Good Luck V!
ReplyDeleteWe will be cheering you on : )
Candis says your fast. That's not a good sign.
ReplyDeleteQuoting Candis:
ReplyDelete"don't forget 'I'm fast and this is easy' "
But from what I've read here on your blog, I would recommend "I'm easy and this is fast"
Rock on, V. Rock on. Looking forward to the race report. It should be a riot!
How about this...
ReplyDelete" I ran a really slow time, because i saw this beautiful young women who was suffering from cramp and I just HAD to stop and give her a massage!"
Once you've run 5.6k in a gorilla suit, a marathon is a piece of cake. Even in tights and a cape.
ReplyDeleteYOU CAN DO IT IAN!!!!!
ReplyDeleteFun fact from my 1st marathon: no one told me about the pacers. When I saw a group of people running with a "530" sign on a post, I thought it was a 5:30 MINUTE pacer. Now you know why I finished my marathon in 5:33:39. I went with the wrong pacer. Ha!!
Good luck!! I'll be tracking you like a UPS package on Christmas Eve!!!
Good luck! I'm sure you will do awesome. Just think of how much you want to beat all the other bloggers running it so you don't get ridiculed. How's that for motivation hah!
ReplyDeleteThere's no substitue for altitude training. Well, blood doping and EPO, but you get the point. I think you'll have a great time (pun intended), and I hope that Arizona's supply of kryptonite has been mined out of existence. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteSome days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.
ReplyDeleteBe the windshield.
People like you?
ReplyDeleteJ/K, best of luck!
You'll be just fine.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes. :)
Here's one: You have run LOTS of races and you'll be able to apply those race smarts to this run, too.
ReplyDeleteYou sound WAY ready. All the best!
I'm training for my first, and your thoughts parallel my own. So go out and rock your race--I'm counting on you!
ReplyDeleteYou'll do great! We're rooting for you.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, superman!
ReplyDeleteI am sure that it will be a Super Duper good time! Good luck this weekend.
ReplyDeleteYou got it! No matter what, smile and DON'T STOP YOUR WATCH at the finish! Make that finish line pic a keeper!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck Vanilla! Keep a tight grip on that faith you'll have a great race!
ReplyDeleteAnd if you don't, well, I see you're already setting yourself up to claim Phoenix as your kryptonite...
All of the things you've been telling yourself are 100% true! You'll be fine and have a great time!
ReplyDeleteNever mind about that 20 miler. Doing one extra 20 miler will not make you anymore prepare for the marathon.
ReplyDeleteHave faith and always keep your cool and start "slow".
Get youtself to the 20th mile mark, and after that it is all mind game.
All the best for your maiden.
If you'd like, I could call your cell every couple of miles and yell, "Run Forrest, run!!!"
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there'll be lots of Superwomen running that race and the thought of being skirted will make you feel like Superman.
ReplyDeleteI will be your liver and filter all the toxic comments from your mind. Good luck on your first marathon!
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't see Smash Mouth.
The fact that I'd told so many people about doing the race seriously kept me going toward the end. We're a judgy bunch.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, and remember that experience from your Gorilla run...If you are not going to win, have a fun running it your way!
ReplyDeleteI'd say don the superman suit, tighties and all, and go for it!
at least the family will be able to pick you out of the crowd when you "WHHOOOOOOSSSSHHHH!" by.
Haha, great list and I'm sure you'll do well but here's a good luck just in case!
ReplyDeleteGood luck dude!!
ReplyDeleteYou will rock it!!!
Surely this is way to late and surely 40 other people have already said it but....adrenaline, adrenaline, adrenaline. There is just NOTHING like the marathon starting line.
ReplyDeleteHave a great time and good luck!
That's one way to convince yourself that you're ready for this. I'm catching up slowly but steadily on posts, but I know that you finish the race in some way or another.
ReplyDelete