It’s race week! Matter of fact, as I write this I’m about 15 hours from the start! It’s been a great taper week and I’ve been hydrating and eating what I can to get prepared for tomorrow.
HOT! HOT! HOT! Tomorrow may in fact be a record setting day for heat for the City of Oaks Marathon here in Raleigh, NC. Starting temperature will be about 61F with my finish temperature closer to 78F. Not typical for this time of year. I had originally planned not to run with my hydration vest, but I’ve changed my mind. I’d rather have extra water on me than relying on the water points. It’s just going to be too hot.
I have some nerves going for this race, nor because my fitness isn’t ready but because of the heat. I’m not sure I’ll keep the pace I want to. We’ll see how it shakes out. The good part is there are a handful of Clayton Area Runners also completing the Marathon and a bunch more also completing the Half and 10K. It will be good to see a bunch of friends out on the road for this race.
This was an easy week and it started with my Tuesday run. I showed up and knocked out 4-miles in a group run that felt at a great pace. The group run was Dave, Jan, Matt and myself.
Results: 4.11mi | Avg Pace: 10’12” | Avg HR: 134 | Best Mile: 10’00”| Feeling Good
Wednesday 5K! You know the deal, if it’s Wednesday I am getting in another 5K regardless of race week or not. It was another slow one, no pushing the pace here and nothing to strain the legs prior to the race. I ran the evening with Dave which is fitting because he’s been there for me from the beginning of this training season. As you’ve read before, he is a much more seasoned runner than me having completed numerous Ultra’s, Relays and Marathons. I did my best to listen to his pointers and tips for the race. He informed me that I’ll see him around the halfway point, which will be great! There’s something about crossing the halfway point that helps getting back.
Results: 4.11mi | Avg Pace: 9’14” | Avg HR: 137 | Best Mile: 9’02”| Feeling Ready
Thursday had only one motto: 2-and-a-beer! Two easy miles and a beer following. It was great to get in my last two miles of training with Robert. Another friend and great runner who I’ve logged probably over 100 miles with in this training session. This was my last Thursday run and last run overall before the Marathon.
I full intend on writing about the race tomorrow evening after the race but really it all depends on how I’m feeling and how tired I am. Overall I’m looking forward to seeing where my training plan has put me for this race.
I’m also looking forward to cutting back on the amount of miles I’ve been doing and getting back to lifting weights and building strength!