[tweetmeme source=”luau” only_single=false http://www.URL.com]
Tonight I am running a marathon.
No, literally, I am running the Around the Lake Marathon tonight, starting at 7PM. If you are in the Wakefield, MA area this evening, please feel free to come out and cheer.
I have never in the last 21 month of marathon running felt more unprepared.
How unprepared am I? Let’s go by the numbers:
If I had stuck with my 12 (week)/70 (mile peak) plan, these are the weekly miles I would have run:
55/59/62/66/59/70/70/64/70/57/44/28 for a grand total of 704 miles of training.
If I had stuck with my fall back 12/55 plan, these are the weekly miles I would have run:
35/39/43/48/42/48/55/49/52/43/32/22 for a total of 508 miles.
*** *** ***
Here are the actual miles I ran:
54/51/47/42/30/7/32/32/15/30/28/4 for the mighty sum of 372 miles.
Not pretty is it. That’s close to only half of what I originally planned on running. In addition, you’ll notice the downward trend in mileage over the last, well, um, during the entire training cycle. I had some motivational issues to be sure, but there were some weeks marred by either injury or life simply getting in the way (it happens). Still, I have never felt so unprepared for a 26.2 miles race. Even in my first marathon I had the advantage of not knowing what it was I was getting into.
But you want to know something funny? I’m ok. In fact, I feel at peace with the fact that I am way undertrained for this race. There’s no reason really. Maybe it’s the fact that this is my 7th marathon in 21 month, maybe it’s that I feel somewhat rested (though heavier with the lack of miles), maybe it’s that I’ve set my Garmin to beep if I start going too fast (avoiding the debacle of Boston 2011), or maybe it’s just the cumulative effect of repeated endorphin highs…I don’t know.
Am I worried? A little to be sure. But I don’t have the nervousness I’ve had before every other marathon (who am I kidding, before every other race!!!), that awesome/awful feeling in the pit of my stomach.
What will happen tonight?
I don’t know.
All I know is I’m running a marathon, I’m totally unprepared, and I’m totally fine with that.
Run Luau Run 
Try to take a good nap before the race, eat and hydrate well! Best wishes! Something tells me you will do fine!!!!
Just wear that button over your heart Luau and run with your heart. Your legs will follow. I imagine that every day your daughter feels totally unprepared to face the challenges she faces but with love, and courage she steps out into the world as you will step out on your 26.2 mile journey. Can’t wait to read the race report. Love you!
A wonderful reminder Mary. Thank you.
LUAU! I am running SFM this weekend and I feel the same exact way. The past 6 weeks have been ABSOLUTELY insane, way too many hours spent at work, leading to exhaustion and not nearly enough time spent getting in my midweek mileage. But you know what, I am OK too. Life does get in the way. I am just going to go out there and enjoy myself, take it slow in the beginning and try not to completely crash and burn. Good luck tonight!! I will think of our energetic exchange on heartbreak hill back in May when I am conquering the hills of SF!
Thanks Kim! Go rock San Francisco! I’ll send positive vibes on Sunday!
Hope you have a great race, Luau.
Thanks Paula!
Best of luck. Wish I could be there at mile 18 then again at 22 to cheer you on. I’ll be thinking about you and can’t wait to hear your recap of the success. 🙂
Relax and enjoy getting into that running zone that’s all your own and that we runners love so much. Just the fact to be out there able to run is all the fun we need.
wonderful and sage advice! Thanks Joanne!
Best of luck to you! Once you get out there and in your groove, everything will be just fine!
That’s the hope! Thanks!
Best of luck tonight! The weather looks like it will cool off for you, so it should be a great night for running!
I hope so…a little worried about the thunderstorms that are being forecast, but what can you do.
Good luck tonight! 😀 My hubby is running his very first marathon in October in support of Autism Speaks Canada, any advice for him??
That is wonderful that he is not only running his first marathon, but running in support of Autism Speaks Canada! Running the New York City Marathon with my Autism Speaks singlet on was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. My biggest piece of advice would be to really focus on not going out too fast in the first few miles. There is a tendency, especially in a first marathon, to get sucked out by the crowd – the adrenaline and energy of those around you push you to go too fast early on and though it feels great initially, by the time you reach mile 20, you are spent. If he can take the first 3 or 4 miles a little slowly, he will have enough fuel to finish strong and with a smile on his face. I wish him luck!
Thank you for the advice, I will happily pass it along to him! 😀
Your legs are fresh and your mind is right. SOunds like a recipe for a good performance if you ask me! I only wish I could get out there to support you tonight… 😦
You’ll be missed my friend!
Worst case scenario… just look at it as a long run in preparation for Vermont! 😀
lol
You’ve got this one beat, my good friend. And of course, that beautiful daughter to remind you to give it all ya got!! You know the saying… “where there’s a will, there’s a way”. Best of luck tonight!
Thanks Cristin! I’m gonna wear my pin over my heart!
Good luck tonight!
Thanks buddy…should be interesting.
hand on your heart and run like your hair is on fire. enjoy and can’t wait to hear all about the race!
exactly! though if it rains it might prove problematic keeping my hair on fire. 😉
I wish you the best of luck! If I were in Wakefield, Ma I would totally be there supporting you! I have no doubt you will do fabulous so good luck from me and my family. But I doubt you need it.