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Bob
TX
Member Since:
04/07/2005 Total Posts: 386
2.0 Years Ago
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Well it's about 118.5 hours before the start of my first marathon. When I think back on where I had hoped to be (sore muscles, optimistic motivation, lean and ready) before the race I feel like I am not quite there. My personality is such that I want everything to be perfect although to look at me you would think the opposite. I understand better the Tom Petty song "The waiting is the hardest part" now. Not sure what I should be doing, trying to be careful to not pull anything. Being nervous which means more snacking which means more weight which means more effort. You can see that it's easy for me to spiral out of control. I think I can make it within the time limit although again to look at me you would say "I don't know..." I am going to try and look at this as just another training run until I turn the last corner and see the finish line. I wish I had done this before so that I could relax and actually enjoy it like everyone encourages me to do. I'll try and send out a post race notice as soon as I have the strength to move my fingers.
Your speedy neighborhood turtle
bob |
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Alison
BC
Member Since:
04/04/2006 Total Posts: 349
2.0 Years Ago
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Hi Bob,
From what my coach has said to me and others in my group about where you're supposed to be before a big race, twitching with anticipation and impatience is pretty much right on course. How's that for being totally unhelpful!
Seriously, a lot of people find the taper to be quite difficult and frustrating, especially as you expect cutting back on your training to be refreshing and energizing. Also, normally when we have some sort of big project coming at us we're used to putting in a huge amount of effort right up to the end, rather than backing off and doing less, it's a big mental shift for sure. Take it very easy this week and resist the urge to throw in any sort of hard workout, it won't help you improve but can seriously hurt your performance.
And the people who tell you to relax and enjoy it probably forgot how nervous they were before their first race! Tough it out for the next few days and know that once the gun goes off and you start running you'll leave the nerves behind and it will be a great experience.
You've done the training, you've put in the hours, you're going to do great! |
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Amy & Todd
IL
Member Since:
03/05/2006 Total Posts: 42
2.0 Years Ago
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Hi Bob. John "the Penguin" Bingham gives a talk at many pre-marathon pasta dinners for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. He advises that at some point during the 26.2 miles you will realize that you can do it. He recommends that when that happens (different for everyone) slow down, take it all in, and really enjoy it! Have a great time!
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Anne C
CA
Member Since:
07/28/2006 Total Posts: 48
2.0 Years Ago
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Hi Bob, I haven't done a marathon, but I remember the first couple of running events I went to I was really nervous too. I'm sure you'll do great, there are a lot of turtles in those races so you won't be alone. Have fun. What do they say, there's only one first marathon. |
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