Friday, September 28, 2012

Goals for Chicago

I cannot stress how important it has to have a detailed plan A, plan B, and plan C;  I'm not gonna lie, sometimes even a D when it comes to race day.  Something, whether it good or bad, is going shake things up, and you will be faced with a string of complications on race day that never seemed to be an issue before.   

Whether it be the weather, something we ate (or didn't) in the week before the race. lack of sleep. rogue shoelaces. seeing someone we love on the course. seeing someone we hate on the course. a broken ipod. a broken garmin. broken sunglasses. a random spot of chafing that never appeared on any of the training runs. pain in your toe. pain in your knee. pain in your stomach. the wrong flavor gu?  mystery drink that is not the gatorade promised. Is there a pinecone in my shoe?  There are too many people. Why aren't there any people? I'm going too fast.  I'm going too slow.  I am going the perfect speed yet still I'm filled with anxiety.  Is that a rain cloud?  Did someone just spit on me?? The mile markers are off.  Did i leave the stove on?  No seriously, is it on??? RENT! I forgot to pay rent in all my marathon anxiety!  My toenail has fallen off.  i just know it.  I can feel it.  Where are my friends?  They said they would be at mile 15!  or was it 17?  WTF did the pace leader go?? WHO SMELLS?  why did i wear this - what was i thinking??  All i want is ice.  This-is-the-longest-six-miles-i-have-ever-run. everyone is staring at me because i am going so slow.  Why am i sweating so more than everyone else?  I want to take my shoes off SO BAD!  Cotton socks were a bad choice.  Don't die. Don't die. Don't die.

Yeah, there are a lot of variables.  As an anxiety sufferer, the race day for me is really hard - much harder than all the training miles.  It is especially hard for me to prepare myself for Chicago, as their will be approximately 44,500 more people than my other two marathons.  Combined.  I tend to panic in crowds.  But, the best way for me to calm my nerves is to HAVE A MULTI-FACETED PLAN.

If there isn't water? Don't you leave it up to fate.  Bring your own.  Remember Rockford.
If it's hot?  no compression socks.  salt pills.  Start at a 10:40 pace.
If it's cold? Arm warmers.  Don't over dress, you always over dress.
If it rains?  Screw you bitches, because i am having a great race.  I love rain.
If i fall?  Get back up.  But go ahead and be dramatic about it.
If my calf is sore? Slow down, take it easy
If my calf pain becomes sharp? Stop race.  Cannot risk missing Dublin.
If someone holds out hand?  High five it.  High fives are awesome.

I think i am ready.  I am also reminding myself that this is technically a training run for another race.  And either way, i am not that fast of a runner anyway, i will always be in the middle of the party pack.  It's how i roll.

Goal A: Stars align.  Run a steady pace with the 4:30 group.  Lots of smiles.  It's a party. 
Goal B: Finish under 5 hours.  Keep whining to a minimum.
Goal C: It's my party, and i'll cry if i want to. 

What's your game plan for the marathon?

20 comments:

  1. My "Plan A Goal" is to set a new marathon p.r., but if the "stars don't align" then I will try to finish and preserve my legs for the ultra cool Halloween/Turkey Trot/Choclate-Themed running season coming up!

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    1. Very smart! There are SOOO many awesome fall races around the corner!

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  2. Your A Goal is the same as what mine is, that is if stars are shining brightly for me on Oct. 13th! Good luck and remember that you got to that start, and do whatever you need to finish. Even if it involves crawling..lol!

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    1. I have no problem crawling to the finish line when things go horrible wrong, haha :D

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  3. Your goals are similar to mine. I sort of expect B though for me. I love everything in your first paragraph. I'm pretty sure I've felt that way at one time or another throughout a run. 4-5 hours is a lot of time for things to go to shit.

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    1. Seriously, i mentally reorganized our entire place last marathon. Than i came home and directed Matt to move all the furniture while i laid there, suffering.

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  4. Awesome post...
    My goals are to finish, without crawling, and hopefully in a sub 5 finish. <3 Best of luck next weekend!

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    1. If you feel the need to crawl, Bobbi and I can carry you! :D

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  5. I love your race goals... Option A, B, and C are all hysterical and sound like fun... except that last one. I hope there isn't any crying! :) I can't believe this is your 3rd marathon this year. You are pretty much a ROCK STAR... no matter how you slice it!

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    1. Thanks Kelly :) Sometimes i just cry when races get hard! Its not that its that awful, i think my hormones just get out of wack or something!!

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  6. Perfectly said marathon thoughts. I have thought of more than one of them during a race before. Mostly "don't die, don't die, breath, relax, don't die". Those usually get repeated for the whole duration of the the 26.2 miles. In Boston my husband said he would be at mile 20 and he wasn't effing there. I started bawling my eyes out because I was in so much pain and just wanted him to tell me that I could do it and that I could finish. I finally saw him (actually saw my name written across the entire road first) and basically in my hysterical Tasha makes absolute no sense right now started yelling where in f*ck were you!? Haha- marathon tantrum perhaps?

    Back to goals- I always have an "A" kick ass goal and a "B" lets survive and be happy goal. Having 3 goals is good to. At least the weather looks to be perfect on race day so it won't be like the Rockford Marathon.

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    1. Hahaha, I am the same way!! I snapped on everyone at the Rockford marathon for not being where i needed them to be! I blame the delirious-ness though. ;)

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  7. I don't have a game plan, since I am not running, but I hope the stars all align for you!

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    1. Thanks! so far, at very least the weather looks like it will cooperate!

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  8. I've never run a marathon, but your paragraph rant is pretty dead-on and hilarious. I think your approach to the marathon is perfect, and I hope the stars align for you!

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    1. It's actually pretty funny the thoughts that run through your head when you spend that much time alone with yourself! One of these days, i will bring a voice recorder and take notes, possible for my upcoming book, "How to run a mediocre at best marathon"

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  9. I love this post! I actually used your listing of potential unforeseen mishaps as a checklist for myself to try to prepare better. =)

    My game plan is to start out slowly and to just enjoy myself and the experience as much as possible. All I want is to cross the finish line in one piece with a smile on my face before the course time limits!!!

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    1. I have no doubts in my mind that you will finish feeling strong and confident!!

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