A week from now I will be picking up my race packet and settling into my hotel room for the evening before getting up before the crack of dawn to run 26.2 miles.
And believe it or not, I’m not nervous at all.
That’s not to say that won’t change. But as of right now, I feel like I’ve done everything I possibly could to prepare for this day.
My outfit:
the best thing I’ve ever run in in my life – a great running skirt that Joe from TrySports picked out for me when I told him about my between-the-thighs chafing issues;
a long-sleeved Under Armour heat gear shirt;
a short-sleeved Believe Achieve tech tee, which is TrySports’ slogan. It’s because of them I feel ready for this, so I want to represent;
my brand-new Mizunos, which currently have 88 miles on them (it’s been recommended that they have 100 miles on race day, and I’ll be spot on!);
my Garmin watch;
the fuel belt Chris bought me before my half-marathon;
my iPod Shuffle (still need about 2 hours worth of music on it; suggestions for great running songs, anyone?); and
red and green washout hair dye (I mean, I can’t NOT do something for the holidays, and I’m not running for that many hours in costume!)
My nutrition:
Will eat the obligatory pasta dinner the night before the race (with red sauce, ew);
Will eat half a bagel with peanut butter about 3 hours before the race starts (yes, at 5 a.m.);
Will have a packet of GU chomps right before the starting gun goes off;
Will carry 3-4 Hammer Energy Gels in my fuel belt during the race (they will have GU Energy Gels at miles 16 and 20, and Powerade at all the water stops)
Will drink Hammer Recoverite after the race
My schedule:
Dinner at 5 p.m. (per Logan at TrySports’ recommendation)
In bed by 7 or 8 p.m. in my cozy bed at the Crowne Plaza , two blocks from the start line – and yes, I am getting my own room. No distractions from anybody;
Hope to sleep any amount at all
Up by 4:45ish
Eat at 5 a.m.
take hot shower
put hair dye in
Go freeze at the start line
Talk nervous talk to Kevin, who will be at the start line with me
Run for 26.2 miles
Eat/hydrate/cry (hopefully happy tears!) Mom, Dad, Jenn, Jeff, Colleen, Chris and Kevin will be there to cheer me in (yes, Kevin will beat me!). Having them there will be invaluable.
take a nap
go party
——-
That’s all I know for now. I do need to say a great big thank you to everyone for putting up with all my marathon talk the past few months. This will be one of the greatest accomplishments of my life, and it’s hard for me not to think about it every waking moment of every day. So thank you for not strangling me. And I promise after the race to talk about running less. Or at least, try to keep it to Daily Mile where all the other crazies are.
Comments
14 responses to “One week away …”
What an inspiration you are Melissa! I couldn’t even ran a mile and here you are with 26.2 miles to run. I’ll be cheering for u virtually. I wish u success!
@MaricrisG
.-= Maricris ´s last blog ..Real Holiday Helpings from Hellmann’s® and Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay plus Giveaway =-.
I’m incredibly proud of you for working so hard at training. You and Kevin both will do fantastic and I can’t wait to see you guys come across the finish line. This is exciting!!
.-= Chris´s last blog ..Pen-flation =-.
Good running vibes to you….will be thinking of you while I’m out doin’ my meager 5 miles.
I want to hear how the skirt works out! Yeah, that’s a little creepy, I know.
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Fine Man Friday =-.
I’m sad that we couldn’t come up to be there to cheer you on at the finish, but just know that Josh and I are both in awe of your dedication to this, and I know how hard you’ve been working. We’re both really proud, too. 🙂 It’s hard not to try to follow the example of someone so kickass. You’re SO going to rock this thing!
Kick some ass girl. Remember that marathon pain is a good pain. Don’t stop til you cross that finish line.
Hi! I am so excited!! I swear Jeremy is jumping off the walls..it’s like Christmas to a 5 year old! He is so excited. So you got a hotel room..lol..you’re funny. don’t you live in charlotte? Jer’s schedule is close to yours except he eats his big carb dinner (Spaghetti) on Thursdays..2 days before the big run(s)…i’m not sure what he will eat the night before…probably chicken of some sort. I should ask:) He is also carrying gels with him and I am meeting him at mile marker 14 or so with new water that has that liquid salt stuff i told you about already in it. He drinks the recoverlite afterwards and takes 4 of those recover pills and then will eat an entire large fuel pizza and nap.! I will be there to see him off and to cheer him back in..he should finish around 11am. I will look for you! good luck!
I am so proud of you! You have done great in training and now it’s party time! I am not so sure you will beat me though; my back is still hurting me. I will do everything I can to be ready though!
.-= Kevin´s last blog ..10,000 calories burned, here we come! =-.
So proud!
.-= Amy´s last blog ..I Wanna Run to You =-.
Running music….let’s see….
Go with the obvious. “Born To Run” by Bruce Freaking Springsteen.
Then 3 hours of Techno loops. Recommend DJ Aspeth. Look her up on Last.fm.
Then “Time Of My Life” from Dirty Dancing when you cross the finish line. Cause after running 26.2 miles, nobody puts Melissa in the corner. Unless it’s a corner booth at the club later. Then it’s cool.
Good luck!
.-= Wes Smith´s last blog ..Crap from Twitter: (#6277872993) =-.
Thanks for all the support everybody!
Wes, I have added Born to Run and Time of My Life – awesome suggestions!
Christine, I think I read you’re supposed to REALLY carb up two nights before but pasta the night before doesn’t hurt either … 🙂 And yes, I live in Charlotte, but it’s soooo worth it to be able to walk out the door and be right at the start line. You can’t beat not having to deal with traffic on the day of!
I can’t wait!!
Oh, and Amy – I will give a full report on the skirt! I ran 12 miles in it this past weekend and it was great. No pulling or tugging needed, the legs stayed in place, and it’s got small pockets on the sides, perfect for gels or an mp3 player (it has headphone holes)
Here’s a link – mine is black with black legs!
http://www.skirtsports.com/products/SP09-Sweetest-Thing-Capris-Skirt.cfm
So proud of you! You’re gonna be awesome!
Also, I love that skirt.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Not Working Just to Survive =-.
Ok I know I’m behind, but I just got to read this. I am sooooo excited for y’all. I can’t wait to cheer you on, and I know I will probably cry for y’all. I cried for strangers before at the Cooper River hahaha This Saturday is going to be awesome. I love the Dirty Dancing song for the finish line 🙂
I really hope it doesn’t rain! I’ve been refreshing the weather forecast for Charlotte every day. Your skirt looks really interesting w/ the capris built in; I was thinking I might freeze my bottom off before I clicked the link. I think I’m going to wear a sleeveless shirt with a long sleeve on top, maybe a vest, and capris or longer tights if it’s raining. good luck!!
-beth